Greater Vegas’ Oldest Restaurant

Nearly 100 years ago in 1920, native Italians John and Elvira Casale met in Reno, married, acquired a little piece of property from the dairy farm where John worked, and opened Casale’s Market, a produce stand.

Elvira also sold fresh raviolis, which became so popular that the Casales built a small seating area where she served them with marinara sauce and drinks.

When John Casale died in 1943, Elvira turned the operation over to new owners who renamed it the Halfway Club, after its location midway between Reno and Sparks; in those days, there was a halfway between the cities, which are now completely contiguous. Elvira took it back a couple years later, returned the family name to it, and it’s been called Casale’s Halfway Club ever since.

Through the years, the restaurant took over the house and Inez, John and Elvira’s daughter, took over the restaurant. Today, Inez, known far and wide as Mama, is 90 years old and still works in the kitchen, assisted by one of her six children and assorted grandchildren.

The exterior of Casale’s is almost exactly the same as it’s always been, though the neighborhood has filled in around it. East Fourth Street was old US 40 and a handful of old motels remain, along with the city’s oldest trailer park; otherwise, it’s an industrial area with automobile service and smog stations, tire companies, roofing supplies, military surplus, salvage yards, and the no-man’s land on either side of the railroad tracks.

Casale’s locally famous flea-market décor is confined to the six-seat bar. From the ancient cash register, juke box, and Fire Chief gasoline pump to messages on the ceiling and Parking for Italians Only—Others Will Be Towed sign, the bar area is an anarchy of adornment.

The restaurant area occupies a couple side rooms, the walls filled with posters, articles about Mama and Casale’s, family photos, and official recognitions.

The menu consists of only lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, sandwiches, and of course the raviolis that started the whole business more than 80 years ago. The signature dish is hand-pressed daily, filled with beef, ricotta, or vegetables and a secret spice, and slathered with marinara — using a traditional recipe that Mama inherited from her mother and carries on to this day.

Sandwiches (meatball, salami, ham and cheese) are $5-$6.50, spaghetti $8, pizzas $10, and the rest around $15, with half orders of everything available. Two dozen bottled beers ($5) and wine by the glass and bottle ($4-$16) grace the back of the menu. Peroni (an Italian beer since 1846) is served from the tap.

Casale’s Halfway Club is not only the oldest restaurant in Nevada. It also boasts its original location, original building, and original owners. No other restaurant in Greater Vegas and probably few in all 50 states come anywhere close to this landmark of longevity.