AUSTIN, Texas — Sad news came this week for family, friends and customers of the owner of a popular Austin restaurant.
Robert "Bob" Reale, who helped make his business a "Home Away from Rome," died on April 28 at the age of 85, leaving behind a lifetime of amazing food and a lot of great memories.
Reale's Italian Cafe in northwest Austin is all about food and family. Inside his restaurant, Bob Reale never met a stranger.
In an interview in 2019, Reale told KVUE that he wanted every customer to feel like they belonged.
"It's a family thing. We cherish everybody that comes in here," Reale said.
Reale also loved talking about his food, made with recipes that are about 100 years old, and how he would have special sausages shipped all the way from New Jersey for his dishes.
"We make the meatballs ourselves. We make them all," Reale said.
Reale's son, Gino, who manages the family business, said it was difficult for his father when he had to give up going to the restaurant due to his health.
"Every customer became his friend, and he adored it. That's what he lived for, to be honest," Gino Reale said. "After he started getting sick – it was about two months ago he couldn't come anymore – and it broke his heart really, frankly."
Bob Reale, a native New Yorker, brought his authentic Italian recipes to Austin in the early 1980's. Reale's quickly became a community favorite.
Now, with Bob and his wife, Marie, gone, Gino Reale and his family are keeping their legacy alive and continuing to make them proud.
Bob Reale is survived by his five kids, 12 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be held on May 11 at Cook Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home on Anderson Mill Road.