The Original Michaels Steak House was founded in Marion, Ohio on April 1, 1985 by
Albert & Madlyn Mastro. Al & Madlyn, as their friends called them, were no strangers to
the
restaurant business. They hailed from the small town of Meadville, Pennsylvania where they
owned
and operated the Meadville Italian Bakery with their brothers, sisters and other family members.
In 1964, Al & Madlyn sold their interest in the bakery and moved to Marion, Ohio with their
three children, Michael, Carla and Louis. They bought the old Jacoby home at 383 South
State Street and enrolled their children at Pearl Street School. At that time, they knew they
wanted to continue the tradition of business they had grown accustomed to in Meadville, and
with this, they leased a building and some equipment and opened their first restaurant, which
was known as the Pizza Villa at 127 South Main Street in October of 1964 in the heart of
very prosperous Downtown Marion, Ohio.
The pizza business and the City of Marion were very good to the couple and their children,
as the Pizza Villa quickly became an institution for people from all walks of life who
enjoyed the taste of good food and the knowledge that Al and Madlyn would make a special
effort to call them by name and thank them for their business.
In the early 70’s an opportunity presented itself to Al & Madlyn as a new company known as
Perkins Family Restaurants was in the process of franchising in the Ohio area, and in August
of 1972, they opened Marion’s first and only Perkins Restaurant at 1197 Mount Vernon
Avenue. Once again, the City of Marion was very supportive, and Al & Madlyn found
themselves fortunate enough to be operating one of the most successful stores in the Perkins
Restaurant system.
In 1985, the chance to operate another restaurant presented itself to Al & Madlyn, and on
April 1,1985, they purchased what was formerly known as the Western Sizzlin’ Steak House
at 1221 Delaware Avenue on Marion’s south side. They then proceeded to rename the
restaurant to Michaels Steak House and with the new name came Al & Madlyn’s formula
for good food, good service, and the clean and friendly atmosphere and feeling that their
customers have come to know and expect over their years and years in the restaurant
business.
Al & Madlyn Mastro truly put their hearts and souls into the restaurant business, and though
they are no longer with us, their presence is still felt through the good food and cleanliness of
which Madlyn was so very proud and the friendliness and comfort that only Al could impart
as he welcomed and thanked everyone who walked through the doors of this establishment.
Welcome to Michaels Steak House!
Louis Mastro, Proprietor
