For nearly a decade, fans of the iconic Ricardo’s Italian Cafe have been lamenting its closure, hoping that, one day, they would again be able to feast on the beloved restaurant’s delectable cuisine. Now, those prayers are about to be answered.
A new iteration, Riccardo’s On Broadway, is set to reopen this summer in a new location: the former Shady Jack’s Saloon space at 1432 N. Broadway. It promises the same dishes that customers came to love during its 26 years in business, as well as some new bar and grill items, a large outdoor dining space, and a mix of old and new artwork—all of which speak to the forthcoming restaurant’s blending of its past with its future. (Note the name change from Ricardo’s to Riccardo’s. “Riccardo is the proper spelling of Richard in Italian,” explains co-owner Michelle Adams. “We never corrected it at the old place and now’s our chance to get it right.”)
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Adams, who co-owned the original Ricardo’s in Lafayette Square with her now ex-husband, Mark Adams, is spearheading the restaurant’s revival with her fiancé, Rich Dunnavant, and sons, Tim and Tom. The siblings will handle the day-to-day operations of the business, while Adams and Dunnavant will serve in supporting roles while keeping their day jobs. Mark Adams will also be involved at the beginning of the project to help ensure that the classic Ricardo’s dishes—many of which were based on his family’s recipes—stay true to their original forms.
As Adams explains, the goal is to create a restaurant that offers what people loved about the original Ricardo’s while evolving to keep things current.
“Nothing can be the way it was before,” Adams says. “You have to be current, so I am letting the kids breathe new life into this. You don’t stay around 30 years if you stay the same.”
The Atmosphere
Adams notes that the former Shady Jack’s building is much larger than the original Ricardo’s storefront, which will allow expanded offerings throughout the different venues. These include the main dining room, which will evoke the feel of the original location, with the wine crates and artwork that decorated the former space.
As for the large bar area, she describes it as having more of a sports bar feel, with menu offerings to match.
She envisions the large outdoor patio as being a garden-like oasis, with a large fountain in the center and an eclectic mix of outdoor tables. She and the family also plan to have activities such as cornhole and washers available for people to play, and there is talk of turning a window that opens up to the bar into a walk-up counter where guests can place orders for more casual fare. A separate deck area will also be available for those who wish to smoke.
The Menu
In coming up with the menu for the new Riccardo’s, Adams enlisted the help of those she knew would not let her down: Ricardo’s loyal fanbase.
“I put out a post one day that asked people what their favorite dish was, and I got about a million comments,” Adams says. “The response has been great.”
Chicken spiedini was the No. 1 request, followed by the beef spiedini (see lead image), tortellini, and various pasta dishes and salads. These items will all be on the menu at the new Riccardo’s, as will an expanded pizza selection, thanks to the new space’s large pizza oven. She is also excited to venture into elevated bar food with such dishes as an exceptional burger, appetizers, and chicken, all of which are meant to appeal to families with children.
“The menu is Ricardo’s staples plus new food,” Adams says. “I told the boys that I want this to be a version of Ricardo’s with Ricardo’s food, but I want them to have creative input and really make it their own.”
The Backstory
Adams and Mark opened the original Ricardo’s in the heart of Lafayette Square in 1989 and quickly garnered a loyal following for their approachable, well-executed Italian fare and cozy setting. It was the quintessential neighborhood gathering place and was well-known for its affordable price point and warm hospitality.
Ricardo’s closed in 2015, a year after Adams and Mark parted ways. Their sons, who had grown up in the restaurant, ended up taking different jobs within the hospitality industry. Tom worked in the wine business in Florida, while Tim continued on as a chef, and most recently began working in the medical marijuana field.
Adams and Dunnavant, who also has a history in the restaurant business, were adamant that they would never get back into the industry. When Dunnavant’s work colleague suggested they meet with Shady Jack’s Saloon owner Jack Larrison, however, they were intrigued. Larrison was looking for someone to take over the space, which had been closed for a year, and he was excited about the idea of Adams and Dunnavant making it their own. The next thing they knew, they were making arrangements to turn the former biker bar into a newly imagined Riccardo’s.
“When people hear we are opening on North Broadway, they ask, ‘Are you sure you don’t mean South Broadway’ because there has been so much going on in that area,” Adams says. “The interesting thing is that this is a super cool building and absolutely what Lafayette Square was like in the 1980s. When we opened in Lafayette Square in 1989, there was a junkyard burning tires across from us. Like we did there, we see the vision. We have a huge parking lot and the ability to keep an eye on everything. We are very comfortable—we’ve gone there all hours of the day and night. You have to see the vision and the possibility.”
