Moon's Sandwich Shop History

Mike Gambino (Anthony's brother) opened the third Moon's locations at Grand and Crawford (Pulaski) and in the 1950's he moved it to Chicago and Hamlin. Mike had a son named Joe (BeBe). I believe the Moons at Grand and Crawford was also opened in the 30's.

Rose Gambino (Anthony's sister) married Peter Canzoneri. Their son Joe (di Rose) and his cousins Joe (di Nina) Canzoneri (son of John and Nina Canzoneri) and Sam Manfre (son of Frances Canzoneri and Salvatore Manfre) all worked for Mike Gambino at his Moon's on Crawford and Grand in the 1940's.

In 1948 Joe (di Nina) Canzoneri, Sam Manfre and Charlie Laport opened a Moon's at Clarendon and Wilson. This location was closed in 1951. Charlie then went back to Moon's on Roosevelt Rd. Sam Manfre went to work for Tony Lagori at Chicago and Cicero Ave's and eventually bought the two Lagori's locations with his partner Vince Marotta (Tony Lagori's son-in-law). Joe (di Nina) went to work selling parts for IBM for their early computers which led to a very successful career in the computer business. Joe (di Rose) became a Chicago Police Officer for many years.

Anthony Gambino Sr. opened the first Moon's in 1933, located at 16 S. Western Ave. Anthony had four brothers Mike, Salantino (Slantz), Willie and Jimmy, and three sisters, Emma, Sarah and Rose. Anthony Sr. had three sons Anthony Jr.(Tony), Joe and Kelly. Anthony Jr. ran the Western Ave. location with his brothers from the time he got out of the Army after WWII until he took on a partner Jimmy Radek (current owner) in 1979 and then sold it to Jimmy in 1989. Anthony Gambino Jr. died October 17, 2003 at his Florida home of cancer. His brother Joe died in 1978 and Kelly retired in 1981.

notes & questions...

Nicknames were a common thing with the Gambino's like many Italian & Sicilian families. In tradition sons were named after their grandfathers. And with so many children having children in those days, there could be dozens of Joe's in a family, thus the reason for so many nicknames!

Slantz Gambino's son Lucien (Lu) was a pro football player on the Baltimore Colts (1948 & 49), and Joe was a semi truck driver.

Willie Gambino was a big stock market investor for many years.

Emma's son Frank went into the waste management business in Calumet City, Illinois.

Tony Gambino III owns the Taco Fresco chain in Chicago.

Who (Gambino/Antonucci) owned Cook County Mobile Home Park?