In 1976, Joseph and Janice Cemeno realized their lifelong dream by opening a small storefront pizza restaurant on Jefferson Street in Joliet. As the first non-family franchise of Aurelio's Pizza, we quickly gained popularity, exceeding our initial capacity of 100 seats as customers lined up outside to wait for a table. Our cozy spot became a hub for friends and family gatherings.

In 1985, we expanded by opening a second location in the Twin Oaks shopping center, where we added banquet rooms and a sports bar affectionately known as "Joe's Dugout" – a tribute to our dad's love of sports, particularly the Cubs and Bears.

Twenty years later, in 1996, our parents purchased property on Essington Road and built our current restaurant. In 2002, we took a bold step by deciding to dissolve our Aurelio's franchise and become an independent entity, Cemeno's Pizza. We've continued to use Grandma Tressie's treasured recipes for sauces and meatballs, with her trusty hands as measuring cups.

Since 1976, Cemeno's has remained family-owned and operated, allowing us to build strong relationships with our community and create lasting memories. If you're a first-time visitor, we warmly welcome you to "the family"