1920s
The Ajello family arrives at New York’s Ellis Island and settles in the Midwood neighborhood in Brooklyn, where our grandfather, Anthony G. Ajello was raised.
1940s
Influenced by his love of Italian food, Anthony becomes a successful salesman for Polly-O cheese thanks to his unmatched passion for the ricotta and mozzarella products he sells throughout New York City.
1966
Anthony opens the first Pastosa Ravioli store on Avenue N and East 53rd Street in the Mill Basin neighborhood of Brooklyn. He senses a unique opportunity to merge his sales experience with his dream of building a shop where customers can purchase fresh-made ravioli filled with superior ingredients.
1970
Pastosa is a tremendous success with customers lining up around the block. Anthony realizes he is going to need a bigger store.
1972
Anthony finds the ideal location for Pastosa in the Italian neighborhood of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, on the corner of New Utrecht Avenue and 75th Street.
1974
With his young and eager son, Michael, and his business partner, Tony Postiglione, Anthony continues to build his legacy.
1977
Pastosa is a Brooklyn landmark. Anthony hands over the reins to Michael and Tony.
1979
Michael launches a line of Pastosa-branded packaged goods—including Italian tomatoes, olives, roasted peppers, artichokes and 100% Italian extra-virgin olive oil—to complement the ravioli, mozzarella, and pasta. Pastosa becomes a unique market where customers can purchase high-quality, affordable Italian specialty products.
1990
Michael and Tony embark on a major renovation after 20 years of packing crowds into their local neighborhood corner store, which nearly triples the size of the operation and expands the target market through a wholesale program, including restaurants, retail shops and food distributors.
1992
Michael and Tony open more Pastosa locations in Staten Island and Long Island. They supply the new stores with fresh-made products from the flagship shop.
1993
Starting as young as 13, Michael’s sons Anthony and Joseph, and daughter Jackie pitch in at stores on weekends sweeping floors, bagging groceries, filling sauce containers and waiting on customers.
2003
Jackie returns to Pastosa after graduating college and launches the e-commerce business, delivering handmade ravioli, pasta and specialty foods nationwide.
2024
Pastosa is a household name throughout New York City and beyond. We continue to fill our ravioli with the finest ingredients and our dedication to family traditions and values, and exceptional customer service is unwavering. There are now 12 Pastosa Ravioli stores in New York and New Jersey. Each location is individually owned and operated and has been licensed to use the Pastosa Ravioli name by the Ajello family.