Batavia restaurant to serve seniors free Thanksgiving meal

Mario Aliano gets a little choked up when he talks about senior citizens.

"Our country was sort of built by them," he said of the people sometimes called "The Greatest Generation."

And on Thanksgiving Day, he doesn't want any of them to miss out on the holiday, due to not having plans with friends or relatives.

For the second year in a row, he is inviting them to dinner at Aliano's Ristorante, which he owns with his brother, Phil.

From 11 a.m. to noon, the Alianos will serve a plated Thanksgiving dinner for free.

There will be turkey, prime rib and ham. Side dishes are yet to be determined by the Alianos and the chef.

"I just don't want them to be alone at their house," Aliano said.

Last year he served at least 50 people, and possibly as many as 100, he said.

This year, he wants to host a lot more, so he is putting the word about the dinner out early.

"It was amazing. It was amazing. It was just a joyful morning," Aliano said of last year's event.

"They deserve it."

Aliano's is at 90 N. Island Ave. in downtown Batavia. It opened in 2011, and specializes in Italian food.

For more information about the senior-citizen dinner, call (630) 406-9400, or visit the restaurant's Facebook page or website, alianosbatavia.com.