About Pinocchio's Restaurant | Family-Owned Restaurant in Media, PA

From One Generation To Another

Over 70 Years of Service

Established in 1955, Pinocchio’s Restaurant has become a longtime family tradition and community staple in Media, PA. As the first pizzeria in Delaware County and the oldest restaurant in Media, Pinocchio’s has proudly served generations of local families with handcrafted pizza, Italian favorites, and friendly service.

Family-owned for three generations, Pinocchio’s expanded in 2009 with the award-winning Beer Garden To Go, now featuring over 1,000 craft beers, imports, and domestic selections, making it a top destination for craft beer in Delaware County.

Explore Our History Timeline

Pinocchio Through the Years

An Illustrated History of Our Logo

1955

1965

1975

1985

1995

2005

NOW

Our History

Pinocchio's first opens

Original Pinocchio's Restaurant matchbook from the restaurant's opening year

1955

Pinocchio's Restaurant was established in 1955 as the first pizzeria in Delaware County, becoming a longtime landmark for family dining in Media, PA.

This is the original matchbook from 1955.

Front cover of our original menu

Front cover of Pinocchio's original restaurant menu

1960

The front cover of our original Pinocchio's menu represents the beginning of a family tradition built on handcrafted pizza, Italian favorites, and friendly service that continues in Media, PA today.

Mexican Food Hits the Menu

Vintage Pinocchio's menu featuring tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and homemade chili

1960

Pinocchio's helped introduce homemade chili, tacos, enchiladas, and burritos to Delaware County at a time when authentic Mexican food was hard to find outside of New York! We expanded the menu and bringing new flavors to Media, PA.

Our Original Storefront

Historic photograph of Pinocchio's original storefront in Media, Pennsylvania

1964

This photo of the original Pinocchio's storefront.

Tom & Athena Buy Pinocchio's

Tom Volikas pictured as a chef before purchasing Pinocchio's Restaurant

1965

In 1965, Tom and Athena Volikas purchased Pinocchio's Restaurant, beginning three generations of family ownership in Media, PA after Tom closed his longtime M&M Coffee Shop in Springfield.

Tom pictured as a chef, 2nd from left 1945.

Pinocchio's introduces strombolis to Delaware County

Vintage advertisement promoting Pinocchio's strombolis

1966

In 1966, Pinocchio's introduced strombolis to Delaware County, adding another local favorite to the menu in Media, PA.

"Pizza from out of this world!"

Pinocchio's advertisement promoting pizza after the game

1970

A 1970 Pinocchio's ad invited Delaware County locals to celebrate after the game with "Pizza from out of this world!" in Media, PA.

Ted Joins the Family Business

Ted Volikas working at the restaurant as a teenager

1970

Ted (Tom and Athena's youngest son) starts working at the restaurant as a teenager.

Family Serving the Community at Broad Street Event

Jane Pennington serving pizza at a Broad Street community event

1976

Jane Pennington (Tim and Athena's mom) serving pizza at a Broad Street event.

Family Serving the Community at Broad Street Event

Ted Volikas participating in a Broad Street community event

1976

Ted at an event on Broad Street in Philadelphia.

Six Foot Hoagie

1976

Pinocchio's introduced its famous six-foot hoagies, bringing a larger-than-life shareable favorite to Media, PA.

Delivery Service Starts

Advertisement announcing Pinocchio's delivery service

1978

Pinocchio's begins offering delivery service, bringing fresh pizza and Italian favorites directly to homes across Media, PA and Delaware County.

‘Pizza made right before your eyes’

1980

Jiminy's Ice Cream Parlor Opens

1982

Snap of Our Outdoor Sign

Historic Pinocchio's roadside sign in Media, Pennsylvania

1987

The Pinocchio's outdoor sign has evolved over the years, reflecting seven different logo updates while continuing to represent a long-standing Media, PA landmark in Delaware County.