We may have opened Bettolino Kitchen in 2015 and Wild Roots in 2026, but our story started long before that. Let’s start from the top. My great Grandparents Gaetano and Francis Giuliano founded Giuliano’s Deli in 1959 when my Dad Steve was just 4 years old. My Dad spent his entire childhood working and playing there. He learned so much from his grandparents and parents who spent their lives working away creating a place for the community to get quality Italian food at a reasonable price with great service. Now, almost 70 years later, Giuliano’s in Gardena is the only Giuliano’s that features multiple generations of Frances & Gaetano’s descendants and is owned by our Uncle Paul and Aunt Joanne.
I think when you grow up in a business its engrained in your blood and when my Dad got to a certain age he was ready to open up his own place. In 1993 my Dad Steve and Mom Dori rolled the dice and spent their life savings to open their own place, Gaetano’s Restaurant. I was only 8 and my brother Vince was 11 when our parents first opened Gaetano’s.
We went through some hard times in the beginning of Gaetano’s. My Dad passed away a year after we opened, and my mom was left with me and my brother to take care of and a restaurant she didn’t know how to run. I honestly didn’t think Gaetano’s would make it without my dad, but my mom pulled through and with the help of lots of friends, family and the amazing South Bay community, she made it happen. Her hard work and grit during such a dark time in her life was such an inspiration to me and fast forward to 2020 it was the driving force on how we got through all the ups, downs and uncertainty of the pandemic.
My brother Vince and I both went off to college in San Diego and worked in other restaurants while we were away. It was there at my San Diego restaurant job that I met my now husband Sean. Sean was born for this industry. His eye for detail and customer service is unparalleled.
Like I said before, when you grow up in a family business it gets engrained in your blood and no matter what you do, it keeps calling you back. In 2015, my brother Vince, Sean and I opened Bettolino Kitchen together. Our dream was to open a modern California Italian restaurant that gives back to the community that has given back to our family for so many years.
The Next Chapter: Wild Roots
As Bettolino continued to grow, so did our vision. Over the years, we listened closely to our community — families looking for something fresh, fast, and wholesome without sacrificing quality or hospitality. That vision became Wild Roots.
Wild Roots is our newest concept, built on the same foundation of family, integrity, and community that started back in 1959 — but with a modern twist. Focused on vibrant wraps, salads, bowls, and smoothies, Wild Roots is designed to be wildly fresh, deeply rooted in community, and welcoming for families on the go.
Opening Wild Roots feels full circle. It honors the grit of my grandparents, the courage of my parents, and the resilience that carried us through every challenge — from loss to pandemic to growth. Just like Bettolino, it’s not just about food. It’s about creating spaces where families gather, kids grow up, and community thrives.
The roots run deep — and we’re just getting started.
