A FAMILY TRADITION SINCE 1897
Panza’s is more than a restaurant—it’s a story of family, tradition, and a love for honest Italian cooking that spans over a century. It all began in 1897 when Panza’s Bakery first opened its doors in Mechanicville, introducing Upstate New York to treasured family recipes brought over from Naples - including the first brick oven pizza in the area. Theresa Panza and her husband Joseph didn’t speak English, but their food spoke volumes.
OUR STORY
In a city rich with history, from its healing spas to the thunder of the Saratoga racetrack, few names have stood the test of time like Panza’s.
Our story begins in 1897, when Panza’s Bakery first opened in Mechanicville, NY. At a time when Italian immigrants were still carving out their place in America, Theresa Panza and her husband Joseph let their cooking do the talking. Their brick oven pizza quickly became a local favorite, laying the foundation for a culinary legacy that would span generations.
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In 1938 Josephine "Ma" Panza partnered with Anthony Gouchkey to open The Starlight Room on Saratoga Lake, a gathering spot for locals and visitors alike that included a summertime supper club in addition to a restaurant. It became known for honest, homestyle Italian cooking made from fresh ingredients and served with warmth. That same dedication to quality and hospitality still defines Panza’s today.
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In the 1950s the family took a bold step west, opening a second location in California Panza’s Lazy Susan. That restaurant quickly rose to fame as a glamorous Hollywood hotspot, rivaling The Derby in popularity. Over the years, it drew stars and tastemakers from across the country including Marlon Brando, John F. Kennedy Jr., BB King, Liberace, Cab Calloway, Alex Trebek, Lloyd Bridges, Robin Leach, Earl Collins, and David Cassidy.
Meanwhile the Saratoga location, now renamed Panza's Restaurant, under Josephine and Cecelia Panza's direction in the kitchen, continued to welcome Saratoga racing legends such as Willie Shoemaker and Eddie Arcaro further cementing the Panza name as a local Saratoga favorite.​
TODAY
​​Today you’ll find Panza’s at 129 South Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs, in the historic former Tradewinds location. Though the address has changed, the heart of Panza’s remains the same: a dedication to its classic recipes, heartfelt hospitality, and a space where every guest is treated like family.
Four generations later, Tony and Michael Panza are proud to carry forward their family's legacy telling their story through food and honoring traditions that began more than 125 years ago.
EXECUTIVE CHEF ELLIOTT VOGEL
Chef Elliott Vogel has cultivated his refined culinary voice in the Capital Region since 2008. After more than a decade apprenticing beside some of the Capital District’s most respected chefs, he further strengthened his foundation through collaboration with the Culinary Institute of America, an experience that sharpened both his technical precision and creative depth.
In 2023, Chef Vogel became a licensed forager further reinforcing his commitment to sourcing thoughtfully and using local, seasonal products.
With years of culinary leadership at some of the Capital Region's top restaurants, including The Delaware, Daley on Yates, Jack's Oyster House and Siro's, Chef Vogel's goal is to elevate the time-honored, classic recipes of Panza's while infusing new energy into the menu with his inspired additions. ​​
