Remo's

Four (4) Star Rating

200 Block of Second Avenue
Gallipolis, Ohio 45631

Imagine going back in time when a community was truly like a family. Where everyone knows each other and if you are new to town you are still welcomed with open arms. When Saturdays involved heading down to the local restaurant to not only grab a bite to eat but also to catch up on the local news. To experience a glimpse of this, you need only travel to the quaint little town of Gallipolis and visit Remo Rocchi at his shop called Remo's.

Following the Ohio River south to Gallipolis, you will find Remo's in the middle of the town. Entering, you will see a large picture of Remo with Ohio's past Governor, Dick Celeste, who visited Remo's to get one of these infamous dogs. Its not just the atmosphere that makes Remo's a gem, but the italian sauce on these hot dogs is remarkable. Kids in this region of Ohio are not only raised on Bob Evan's biscuits and gravy, but also on Remo's hotdogs. When I think of these dogs, I think of the old Ruffles commercial, "bet you can't eat just one".

As I stepped up to the bar and once again ordered a footlong, I began talking with the owner. Remo Rocchi is an 80 year old gentleman who is as sharp as a tac. He was born in Bagni di Lucca, Italy. His father, Astolfo Rocchi, was a service man and Remo returned to the United States with his father and mother at 9 months old. The recipe for Remo's sauce, which people come from many states to purchase and take home to freeze, came from his father. You will still find Remo working the shop and talking with his friends (patrons). He started the shop in 1957 under the name Topsey Turvey. Remo named the shop Topsey Turvey because when he began nothing went right. He began with idea of running a carry out that also served pizza but the pizza oven blew up in his face. He later sold the liquor license and stuck strictly to hotdogs and soda. Its a joke within the shop that Remo sold the liquor license before his kids became legally able to consume alcoholic
beverages.

Around 1978, the shop's sign blew through the window of the store and had to be replaced. This was when Remo's wife, Helen Marie, suggested he change the name to Remo's, saying "that's what everyone calls it anyway".

When asked how a hot dog shop could survive in a small town such as Galliplis for over 40 years, Remo told me a story about his business. He attributes the success of Remo's to Our Lady of Fatima. It was many years ago when Remo was struggling in the business. Keep in mind that Remo was married with eight children, later to be ten. He told me the story of Our Lady of Fatima, being cautious not to come off as "too preachy". I quickly let him know that we were just two friends talking. Remo made a promise to Lady Fatima that if She would make sure that his business prosperred, he would make a monthly donation to carry the message. His first donation was two dollars. Remo grinned at me and said "today, my donation is substantially larger than that initial two dollars".