Garozzo's: The Success Story of Michael Garozzo, the Man Behind the Famous Chicken Spiedini in Kansas City
Michael Garozzo is the owner of both Garozzo’s Italian restaurants in the Greater Kansas City Area. Michael was born and raised on the “Hill” in St. Louis. He began his restaurant career as a busboy, with a dream of one day owning a restaurant. His father Salvatore and uncle Alfio, both waiters in fine restaurants all their lives, encouraged Michael to pursue his dream.
He opened the first Garozzo’s in 1989 “On a wing and a prayer” in the historic Columbus Park Italian neighborhood in Downtown Kansas City, A.K.A The North End. Today there are two popular locations as well as a thriving catering business in the Kansas City area.
Garozzo’s prides itself on its signature Chicken Spiedini, a Garozzo’s creation, which has become a Kansas City staple.
The 1953 kidnapping and murder of six-year-old Bobby Greenlease shocked Kansas City and the nation. Posed as his aunt, Bonnie Heady abducted Bobby with partner Carl Hall in a scheme that led to a $600,000 ransom—the largest in U.S. history at the time. Despite payment, the boy was killed, the kidnappers were swiftly executed, and much of the ransom money remains missing to this day.