A grandmother's love for her grandson is responsible for the wonderful Italian restaurant we all enjoy located on our main street in historic downtown Troutdale.
As a little boy and later as a young teenager, Saul Pompeyo learned to cook from the hands of his paternal grandmother. Each summer Saul's family would travel 2,000 miles from Mexico City to the Yucatan Peninsula to stay the summer at grandmother's house. Guests were a common occurrence and grandmother enjoyed entertaining. At her side was her grandson who learned from the best of the best.
Ristorante DiPompello is owned and operated by Saul and Ruby Pompeyo. They have achieved their dream of having their own family Italian restaurant. As a memorial to his grandparents, the original Italian family name, DiPompello, hangs over the marquee at the entrance. Parents of two small girls Sophia 2 1/2 and Daniela 9, they work seven days a week to create a wonderful epicurean delight. Ruby makes the homemade sauces every day and helps out part time with the cooking.
Saul has an extensive background in operating all phases of a restaurant. After all, he grew up in an Italian restaurant operated by his father in Mexico City. It provided for the family until the earthquake in 1985, which destroyed the family business. He continued with his career until 1998, when he was recruited to manage a downtown Portland restaurant.
Afterwards, he opened several new restaurants then decided the time had come to take the challenge of opening his own restaurant. He chose Troutale because he likes the small town flavor of the community. He wants to know his customers as his friends. Because making friends is so important to him, he stresses food quality with every meal that is prepared. "We want to know everybody and have a relationship with our customers and provide the best food we possibly can" Saul comments.
He must be doing something right because the restaurant is always full at lunchtime and the business has doubled since last year. They have expanded from three employees to nine this year alone. Maybe their success is in part due to Saul's own version of the Stimulus Package. This special runs from Sunday to Thursday where two people can have a full dinner including appetizer, choice of two salads or soups and your choice of two pastas and a dessert all for $22.00. During his popular lunchtime they have over 20 different pasta dishes for $7.50, which includes a salad or soup. If you are on the run they have a dozen sandwiches to choose from.
They receive rave reviews from their loyal customers. Bill Flynn and his family are frequent customers. Bill stated,"we always bring our out of town guests to Saul's restaurant for dinning and good conversation."
Due to the popularity of Ristorante DiPompello, Saul has expanded to the upper floor for overflow and to serve banquets.
My suggestion is to give the cook in your house a break and come and have a great meal at very reasonable prices.
You will find Ristorante DiPompello in Historic Downtown Troutdale, 177 East Columbia River Highway.
Bon appetit!
Ristorante DiPompello open Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. , Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check out their 60 foot mural painted by a local Troutdale artist Roberto Herrera, who is an Italian from Argentina, The mural depicts the city of Pompeii, Italy.
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| Saul Pompeyo, your host. |
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