Our
History
A Newport Tradition Since 1933
Pompilios first opened its doors in 1933, at a time when America was in the grip of the Great Depression and Newport, Kentucky was a hardworking river town filled with grit, pride, and close-knit families. What began as a modest neighborhood restaurant quickly became a gathering place for locals seeking comfort, warmth, and a hearty Italian meal.
The original owners—immigrants who brought their recipes, traditions, and deep sense of hospitality from the Old Country—created a space where everyone felt welcome, and that spirit still defines Pompilios today.
A Home for Generations
As Newport grew and changed throughout the mid-20th century, Pompilios remained a constant. Families came after church on Sundays, factory workers stopped in after their shifts, and neighborhood children grew up knowing that spaghetti and meatballs at Pompilios was a rite of passage. Locals tell stories of shared meals, first dates, wedding celebrations, and the countless small moments that built the restaurant’s legendary reputation.
Even during the tougher years—when Newport was transitioning from its rough-and-tumble past into the vibrant, revitalized community it is today—Pompilios kept its doors open and its traditions alive. The classic dishes, the friendly servers who remembered your name, the cozy dining rooms echoing with conversation—all became part of the fabric of Newport life.
Few restaurants become true community hubs, but Pompilios achieved just that. The historic bar—still a favorite meeting spot—has hosted generations of regulars who swapped stories, shared drinks, and built friendships over decades. The outdoor bocce court became a local legend of its own, welcoming players young and old. And for visitors from out of town, it became the perfect snapshot of Newport charm: Italian food, friendly people, and a sense of community that can’t be manufactured.
Enduring Legacy, Exciting Future
Today, more than 92 years after first opening, Pompilios continues to be one of the most enduring and recognizable restaurants in the region. Still family-run and still rooted deeply in tradition, the restaurant embraces its past while constantly looking toward the future. As Newport grows, so does the mission of Pompilios: to serve exceptional food, provide genuine hospitality, and preserve a piece of local history for generations to come.
With our 100-year anniversary on the horizon, Pompilios stands ready to welcome the next century of guests—those who grew up with us, and those discovering us for the first time. Our story is still unfolding, one dish and one family at a time.
A Moment on the Big Screen
In 1988, Pompilios earned national recognition when it appeared in the Academy Award–winning film Rain Man, starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. The iconic scene filmed in the restaurant introduced Pompilios to audiences across the country and became a point of pride for locals. Even today, film enthusiasts visit just to stand where Hollywood once stood—another unique chapter in the restaurant’s story.
Old-World Recipes & Local Roots
From the very beginning, Pompilios has been committed to preparing food the right way. Many of the sauces, pastas, and Italian-American dishes served today trace their roots directly to recipes brought over generations ago. Over time, the menu evolved to include everything from classic lasagna and chicken parmigiana to regional favorites unique to Kentucky and Cincinnati.
Despite changing tastes and culinary trends, Pompilios has never strayed from its foundation: honest, scratch-made dishes served with pride. Whether it’s a family dinner, a casual night out, or a celebration of life’s big milestones, guests know they can expect the same flavors and hospitality that have defined the restaurant for nearly a century.
A Place Where Community Gathers
The Wiedemann Connection
The George Wiedemann Brewing Company was founded in 1890 and at one time was the largest brewery in the Southeast producing over 100,000 barrels a year. Its headquarters and Brewery were located in the West end of Newport, approximately five blocks west of the restaurant. The George Wiedemann Brewing Company for most of its history was the largest employer and land owner in the city of Newport.
It was common in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s for local brewing companies to finance a saloon in return for its exclusive selling of their brand of products, they called these places a “tied house”. So in 1902 when a local saloon operator was looking for another location, The George Wiedemann Brewing Company was approached about financing this new saloon. In June of 1902 The George Wiedemann Brewing Company made a loan of $6,000 and was the surety for the lease on the building which is now Pompilio’s Restaurant. The lease called for an annual rent of 5% of the value of the building plus improvements, not to exceed $11,000 (building plus improvements, not rent) for ten years, to be paid in monthly installments, and it was renewable for another ten year period. With the loan and lease established the operators configured the bar to look like what one sees today in our bar room and small dining room.
For the opening of the restaurant, Charles Wiedemann, the brewing company’s president, installed a hand carved cherry back bar of 1886 vintage. The bar, although altered for modern electrical and refrigeration purposes, is still in use. The original front bar, also placed by Charles Wiedemann, found itself stored in the basement during Prohibition, supposedly not needed. It died during the early days of the Depression, as wood was needed to fuel a stove in the building. A mahogany front bar stands in its stead, certainly of a lesser quality.
