Zammuto’s in south Rockford celebrates a sweet century in business
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — When Zina Horton took over Zammuto’s 18 years ago, her first attempts at making its beloved granita didn’t quite hit the sweet spot.
“Anybody that would pull up in the parking lot that knew Zammuto’s and what they would serve, we would say, Is this it? Is this it?” Horton said. “And it was always no.”
That changed after Joe Zammuto pulled up to the south side staple at 725 Kent St. in a black Cadillac.
Joe, who was known as the Granita Man, ran the business with his brother Moses for decades and was the son of the founder, Frank Zammuto. He forged a friendship with the Horton family, and passed down the original granita recipe that his father brought from Sicily. That recipe is still kept in a locked safe on a handwritten note from Beverly Tucker, Joe’s wife.
Zammuto died in 2009 and Tucker in 2017. The famous granita recipe lives on with Horton, who has ushered Zammuto’s into its 100th year in business.
Frank Zammuto Jr., the 83-year-old son of the founder and oldest living member of the family that ran the business, will attest that Horton has dialed in the flavor.
“When people taste this, they’re going to want more,” he said Thursday, taking spoofuls of the semi-frozen treat.
Zammuto Jr. and Horton connected this week as the drive-in and carry-out restaurant celebrates a century in business. A 100th anniversary block party will go from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the restaurant.
Nearly two decades after taking ownership of the business, Horton has become as synonymous with the business as the Zammuto family. Zammuto Jr. and his daughter ,Teressa Zammuto, credit her for taking the business to a new level.
Horton has introduced the legendary granita flavor to a new generation of people, and she’s expanded the business by bringing its most popular flavors to grocery stores such as Woodman’s, Valli Produce and La Chiquita.
“My uncle had aspirations, but he didn’t know how to get there,” Teressa Zammuto said to Horton. “You have taken what he wanted and brought it into the next phase. … I guarantee you he would’ve been like, ‘Wow, I never would’ve thought that.’”
Horton has also expanded on the options, now offering 14 granita flavors. It’s most popular treat is the Unusual, a blend between Italian ice and sorbet that has become Zammuto’s signature treat. It also has hot menu items such as its hand-battered catfish sandwich and chicken wings with house-made seasonings.
“Getting our stamp of approval from Frank is everything,” Horton said. “To have them come and say the vision that we had, you executed it and have taken it farther than we ever could have imagined it. … To have them say that. That’s everything.”
‘It belongs to the community’
Zammuto’s was founded in 1925, selling everything from ice cream to malts and Italian groceries, Zammuto Jr. said. He lived above the store for years in his youth, but he didn’t enter the restaurant business with his brothers. Instead, he worked as a hairdresser for more than 50 years.
He said thanks to Horton, Zammuto’s remains a landmark on the south side after other staples have closed such as Maria’s, which operated on Cunningham Street for more than 90 years before closing at the end of 2013.
Horton, who had run her own Sweet Ambrosia Desserts and Catering since 1990, was looking for a brick-and-mortar location when she bought Zammuto’s in June 2007. She decided to keep running the business, saving it from closure.
“It’s not about me. It’s about the Zammuto’s legacy and this being here in the same place, serving the same thing,” Horton said. “It belongs to me, but it doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to the community of Rockford. It’s a family business, and it’s for the families of this community.”
Horton was joined by her daughter, Alida, about a year after buying the business. Alida Horton left a corporate job with Motorola to work side-by-side with her mother.
“I’ve always wanted to have a family business and work with family, instead of just punching a clock every day,” Alida Horton said. “This is hard — this is harder than Motorola ever was, but it’s also rewarding.”
Alida has the unofficial title as the head of research and development for Zammuto’s. She’s traveled to 13 different countries and makes sure to taste granita and Italian ice wherever it’s available. Those travels have inspired a few new flavors she has on the horizon, but the Zammuto family recipe still stands out as her favorite.
“Honestly, and not just being biased, it’s the best I’ve ever had,” she said. “I attribute that to Joe’s recipe. The flavor is so strong. I’ve had other places, and the color looks great and the texture is OK, but the depth of flavor is not there.”
Zina Horton said her workdays can sometimes start as early as 6 a.m. as she handles the business side of the venture before restaurant prep. The restaurant opens at noon and closes its doors at 8 p.m., but days can sometimes stretch as late as 11 p.m.
“But I’m doing what I want to do,” she said.
The 66-year-old said she has no plans of slowing down yet.
“I don’t see down the road where I have to quit because I’m not that person,” she said. “I’m not like, ‘oh I’m going to retire one day.’ That’s not in my plan. …
“I get up every day, we come here, we open the doors and we run Zammuto’s.”
100 years of Chillin’ & Churnin
What: Zammuto’s will celebrate its 100th anniversary with its Chillin’ & Churnin’ Summer Event. There will be music and entertainment, food specials, giveaways and other activities.
When: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 14
Zammuto’s | hours & location
Where: 725 Kent St., Rockford
Hours: Noon to 8 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday; 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; closed on Wednesday
In stores: Woodman’s, 3155 McFarland Road, Rockford; Woodman’s, 1877 S. Madison Road, Beloit; Valli Produce, 5880 E. State St., Rockford; La Chiquita Food Market, 1414 S. Main St., Rockford
Online: zammutos.com
On Facebook: @zammutos
On Instagram: @zammutos_carryout
Email: zammutos2007@gmail.com
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
