Media’s culinary scene is on the move. It’s constantly changing and improving, and foodies welcome the new and innovative eateries popping up left and right. And although we welcome the ebb and flow of the restaurant business, we also appreciate the few favorites that have stood the test of time.
D’Ignazio’s Towne House Restaurant is the perfect example.
Silvio “Babe” D’Ignazio, Jr. had a dream of opening a restaurant just as his parents had, so he bought a townhome in 1950 and opened its doors the following year as the Towne House.
“Babe then bought the remaining adjacent buildings and expanded the restaurant to fill the whole block,” said Assistant Manager John Naimoli.
The rest, as they say, is history. And my what an amazing library of stories fills the hallowed halls of Media’s iconic landmark.
D’Ignazio, the son of Italian immigrants, Silvio and Josephine, grew up in Chester and graduated from Media High School. As the youngest of three, his nickname naturally became “Babe.” Years later he was called “Babe the Blue Ox,” a reference to Paul Bunyan’s companion. D’Ignazio was said to be a superstar football player at Pennsylvania Military Academy, now known as Widener University.
Following graduation, D’Ignazio became a pilot in the Army Air Force during World War II, and later the Korean conflict.
“Once his tour of duty wrapped up,” said Naimoli, “Babe buzzed State Street in his plane and almost got into a ton of trouble with the law.”
D’Ignazio had a reputation of being quite the jokester, daring even. But, he was also known for his huge heart, strong compassion for others and ability to touch the lives of many.
A little known fact Media residents might not know is the reason why the area around the Towne House is called Veterans Square.
“Back when businesses were closed on Sundays, young men drafted to the military would gather outside the restaurant to catch the bus, but before they boarded, Babe would make them big spaghetti dinners,” said Naimoli.
D’Ignazio wed Elizabeth “Libby” McCombs D’Ignazio in 1947. As if serendipity was on their side, the couple met at his copilot’s wedding in Kentucky and married almost immediately. The duo, said to be deeply in love until the moment Babe passed away in 2008, also had a deep love for their business and, more importantly, their community. So when a fire gutted the Towne House in 1960, the D’Ignazios rebuilt it from the ground up and filled it stem to stern with colorful antiques and mementos.
“Babe was a collector,” Naimoli explained. “He loved to go to estate sales and would buy collections without even knowing what he was getting. Then he’d fill the walls, shelves, everywhere with his knick knacks. Word has it his homes in Avalon, Key West and even his barn in Oxford were all filled with antiques, too.”
The memorabilia and star power everywhere is reminiscent of the Palm Restaurant or Old Original Bookbinder’s in Philadelphia. There’s something intriguing to see everywhere you look. Each picture tells yet another story. There must be thousands of stories hanging on the walls, placed in each nook and cranny.
Around one corner, there’s an amazing little slice of Hollywood showcasing both local and global celebrities. The full-size, autographed Rocky poster welcomes guests and is an extra-special treasure today as the local hero is right now filming the sequel, Creed. The late, great Joan Rivers; legendary Bob Hope; and countless others surround Sly Stallone’s picture. And that’s just one corner.
Take a stroll through the Towne House and you’re guaranteed to get lost in the 18 rooms, but with the eclectic atmosphere of each one and the thousands of unique items to see, it can be fun to get lost in decades of history.
“I’ve worked here six years and it took me a while to find my way around,” Naimoli said.
One of about 150 employees of the Towne House, Naimoli explained that many of the staff members have been around for decades.
“One of the bartenders has been here more than 40 years; same with one of the servers,” he said.
Just as Towne House employees remain loyal, so does the dining community. The restaurant has hosted more than six decades of every type of event imaginable.
Media lifelong resident Tedman O’Hara is a Towne House regular and has spent much time there.
“D’Ignazio’s Towne House isn’t just one of Delaware County’s best family-run establishments, it is family,” said O’Hara. “Whether celebrating christenings, birthday parties, first dates, graduations, alumni banquets, wedding receptions or retirement dinners, as a longtime resident of the area, many of us grew up with this place and share a lifetime of special memories with our friends and family.”
The Towne House has also become a popular spot for service clubs and charity organizations in Delaware County, including Media Lions Club, Rotary Club of Media and The Press Club.
“The Delaware County Press Club has tried a variety of venues for its monthly luncheons, but members expressed a desire to return to the Towne House on a regular basis,” said Press Club President Bill Tyson. “The banquet staff is always responsive and accommodating to our needs around the menu, room setup and logistics. Plus, the restaurant’s central location in Media, the heart of Delaware County, is convenient for our members and guests.”
With the Delaware County Courthouse and Bar Association just a short walk away, the Towne House has also been a popular meeting spot for attorneys, politicians and county employees since it opened its doors 65 years ago.
It’s a safe bet to say D’Ignazio’s Towne House Restaurant is exactly what Babe envisioned as a young man with a dream.
D’Ignazio’s Towne House Restaurant offers lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and dinner on Sunday. The extensive menu offers a wide array of selections from sandwiches and salads to steaks, seafood and pasta dishes. There’s something for everyone and the prices are reasonable. For more information on the menus, hours, reservations, upcoming events and much more, visit the restaurant’s website or call (610) 566-6141. Find Towne House at 117 Veterans Square in Media.
Photo credits: Lauren Avellino Turton
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