Three Generations, One Passion
Discover how a small pizza shop became a beloved family legacy spanning five decades of authentic Italian cuisine and community spirit.
The Real Story Behind Charlie's Trio
Over the years, many customers have asked why we are called Charlie's Trio. Contrary to popular belief, we are not called Charlie's Trio because our original location borders Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Alhambra. Nor is it because we offer a full service restaurant, take-out service, or a sports bar for our clients.
From Big Man Pizza to Family Legacy
The truth is in 1971, our father Chuck Fata Jr., opened a tiny pizza place named BIG MAN PIZZA. He used the name that friends referred to him as when he attended Lincoln High School. During the early years of Big Man Pizza, our grandfather Charlie Fata Sr. spent time working in the kitchen and shared stories of his childhood in Calabria, Italy and his immigration to his new home in the United States.
Hard Work, Family Values, and Big Dreams
His presence instilled in us hard work, dedication, perseverance and a strong sense of family would reward us in the future. After about 10 years a full service restaurant was added. We were in the process of building the sports bar and decided that we had outgrown the Big Man Pizza. Mike always referred to the place as "Charlie's" because his grandfather, father and brother were key in establishing the store.
So after the father who got the whole thing started, the grandfather that enjoyed the hard work, and the brother who always kept things going, the name "Charlie's
50 Years Strong and Still Growing
Once we had an opportunity to open a new location in our neighboring city Alhambra, we couldn't pass it up. With over 20 years serving at the Alhambra location and the addition of our wine bar Vino's Back Alley and partnering to create 38 Degree's Craft Kitchen and Bar, our future looks brighter than ever. We are so proud and honored to be serving our community for so long and hope to continue to do so for many generations to come!