(310) 323-7993
On December 11, 1978, Carlo bought Big Joe's Italian Restaurant. In 1979, he changed the name to Lomeli's Italian Restaurant. He celebrated the name change and the first anniversary by giving his customers a 50% discount on all dine-in bills between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. This has become a tradition, which is celebrated every year. The actual anniversary is in December, but because he is so busy with holiday parties during December, he usually has the celebration the second Tuesday of January each year. Anyone interested in knowing the actual date of the anniversary celebration should call Lomeli's in mid-December. In 1984, he opened a second restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa Beach; however, due to a slow economy from 1990 through 1994, and elevated rental expenses, he closed the Lomeli's Hermosa location when the lease expired on November 21, 1994. Carlo also manages his wife Lori Lynn Lomeli's hula-hoop career. She is considered to be the world 's best hula hooper. They were married in 1988 and have two children -- Ray, 14, and Lorilynn, 9. Carlo also has a 20-year-old son, Robert, from a previous marriage.
Carlo Lomeli, founder of Lomeli's Italian Restaurant, Inc., started his restaurant career in 1968, at age 14, as a busboy for Sala's Italian Restaurant in Lawndale. By age 16, Carlo realized that he had a tremendous passion for cooking; while at Sala's he learned how to cook and became their main chef. He loved every minute while in the kitchen and decided, from his experience, his lifelong career would be that of a restaurateur. As a result of his close working relationship with Arthur, John and Ted Sala, they became good friends. Carlo was fortunate to have worked with these wonderful employers who were willing to teach him all they knew about running a restaurant. At age 18, Carlo became Sala's manager and worked for them until 1977. He was now 23 years of age and felt he was mentally and financially ready to venture out on his own. First, he wanted to gain more managerial experience so he went to work for Shakey's (on Torrance Boulevard in Torrance) and enrolled in a night c ourse in business management, which was held at a public school in Lawndale.
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Posted by debbyxo on 12/5/2009
We have been going to there for about 28 years & still love it!!
Posted by rayasirma on 12/23/2008
I started going to Lomeli's a couple of years ago after a friend insisted this was the best Italian Restaurand in the South Bay. Now, I love italian food and I have been to several great restaurants, so when he said this, I new I had to try it out. Lomeli's is a small family owned restaurant hidden in a small shopping center in the city of Gardena/Torrance. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by everyone and seated. The service is so amazingly fast. The waiter made sure we were not missing anything. Now the food. Well, all I can say is WOW!! The food is outstanding. Definately the Best!! I have taken several of my friends there, as well as order party trays, and everyone always comments on how good the food is. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place.
Posted by sickuvit on 11/3/2008
The good reviews are not hype. This place is excellent! The mozzarella and sauce on their pizza is absolutely perfect. When you take a piece of pizza off the tray, the mozzarella stretches so wonderfully, you almost need scissors to cut it. And the sauce is so delicious witht the cheese. I'd say this is the best in the South Bay.
Posted by dy2424 on 1/18/2008
In addition to serving delicious food and giving exceptional service, Carlos the owner gives back to the community ten fold by giving discounts to local schools. I would definitely give this business a five star rating!
Posted by taker1231 on 8/16/2007
there is no way to put such great food in to words you have to try it fo find out. it is a family owned restaurant and great for date or famlies
