Zio Fraedo's Closes Its Vallejo Waterfront Restaurant After 20 Years, Citing a City Rent Increase

After 20 years on the Vallejo waterfront, Zio Fraedo's served its final meals on Sunday, Oct. 25, KTVU and the Vallejo Sun reported.

Why it is closing

The restaurant leases its building next to the Vallejo Municipal Marina from the city of Vallejo. Owners Tony and Sherry LoForte (KTVU spells the name LaForte) said the new rent the city sought "would far exceed our ability" to pay.

The Vallejo Sun reported that the restaurant lost its lunch business during the pandemic and that the building is about 18,000 square feet. Founder Tony Sr. has died. In recent months the restaurant had cut its hours, closing Mondays and Tuesdays and opening at 4 p.m.

What the city says

City spokesperson Robert Briseño responded to questions about the lease, and City Manager Harry Black said the restaurant "has not been regularly open," according to the reports.

Staff and the Pleasant Hill location

Zio Fraedo's Pleasant Hill restaurant is staying open. Most of the Vallejo location's roughly 15 employees were offered jobs there, KTVU reported.

The restaurant served an Italian and continental menu in a Tudor-style building on the waterfront.