Joe Bartolotta, beloved Co-Owner Passes Away

Joe Bartolotta, Co-Owner of The Bartolotta Restaurants, passed away on Tuesday, April 23 peacefully in his sleep with a smile on his face at the age of 60. Joe is beloved by the Milwaukee community for his hospitality heart, generosity and love of all. The family asks for privacy at this time.  

The funeral service for Joe Bartolotta will be held on Saturday, April 27 promptly at 10 am at The Riverside Theater (116 W. Wisconsin Ave). In homage to Joe’s bright disposition that he brought every day, it is requested that no black attire be worn to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Italian Community Center, Discovery World or the Wisconsin Humane Society.

Complimentary parking from Interstate Parking is being provided from 9 am - 3 pm at the following locations: Surface Lot at Grand Avenue (enter under "Street Level Parking"), Empire Lot, and Gimbels Lot.

view Parking Lot  map

If you are unable to attend the celebration of life for Joe Bartolotta, the entire event will be live streamed on The Bartolotta Restaurants' Facebook page.

Watch on Facebook

Share your Memories of Joe Bartolotta

Since the announcement of Joe Bartolotta's passing, we at The Bartolotta Restaurants have been showered with an outpouring of love from the community. In an effort to collect everyone's memories about our beloved co-owner, we've set up a page for you to share your "Joe Story" with us. It is our hope to collect all these messages and share them with his family.

Share Your Joe Story

about The Bartolotta Restaurants

The Bartolotta Restaurants is a nationally recognized restaurant and catering organization co- founded by ChefPaul Bartolotta and his late brother, Joe Bartolotta. Chef Paul Bartolotta is a two- time James Beard Award-winning chef in two separate regions, Midwest and Southwest, winning in both 1994 and 2009. In addition, ChefPaul Bartolotta has six James Beard Award nominations including Best Chef Midwest in 1993, Best New Restaurant in Las Vegas in 2005, Outstanding Restaurateur USA alongside his brother in 2017, 2018, 2019, and a finalist for Outstanding Restaurateur USA in 2020. Since the opening of its flagship restaurant,Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993, The Bartolotta Restaurants group has grown to become the premier culinary brand in the Greater Milwaukee region, offering first class service and cuisine across a portfolio of 18 one-of- a-kind restaurants and catering facilities, including fine dining, upscale casual, food halls, executive dining, quick-casual, and airport concepts. More information can be found at bartolottas.com.

Media Contact

Rossetti Public Relations
pr@bartolottas.com