When Aricia Alvarado and Hugo Molina settled down in Alhambra to raise their family over 20 years ago, what they brought with them turned out to be more than just a growing family — they brought a deep-rooted culinary passion that would reshape a beloved local eatery.
For Alvarado, returning to Alhambra was a homecoming. A Mark Keppel High School alumna, she felt a strong pull back to the community where she grew up. “It felt like a magical moment,” she recalled. “Our baby was on the way, so we were looking for a place to call home. This is our anchor, right here.”
Molina, originally from Italy, began as a dishwasher for his sister’s restaurant as a teen. He would go on to become one of the San Gabriel Valley’s first celebrity chefs, starting the Arroyo Chop House and the Crocodile Cafe after a 17-year run as executive chef at Parkway Grill. His family’s pizza dough recipe is still used at Genovese’s today.
The couple met while working at Parkway Grill in Pasadena. Molina was the executive chef and Alvarado had just graduated from culinary school. In 2018, they took over Genovese’s on the corner of Main and Palatine to be closer to home. Genovese’s previous owners, the Rosenquist family, were adamant about selling the restaurant to someone who would really take care of it.
“All in all, it was the right time,” Alvarado said.
Despite the pair’s extensive experience, their initial changes to Genovese’s were met with some resistance. Longtime regulars were skeptical of alterations to their favorite dishes. But Alvarado and Molina stuck to their philosophy of using quality ingredients and putting care into every dish.
“Every single sauce and dressing, we make in house,” Alvarado explained. “We use fresh herbs and we upgraded the cheese, the meats, the flour. Being chefs, we can’t put our name and our stamp on something we don’t stand behind.”
What they didn’t change was the heart of Genovese’s. The popular $15 lunch special (a full entrée with a drink) remains, and the warm, family-friendly vibe continues to draw in customers new and old.
“We have people who say, ‘We used to come as teenagers, our parents used to bring us. Now we’re bringing our kids,’” Alvarado said. “That’s the kind of place we want this to be.”
But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. The pandemic dramatically reduced lunch traffic, and now inflation and tariffs threaten the restaurant’s stability. While they’re trying their best not to raise prices or reduce hours, they’re realistic about what it means to keep a restaurant afloat.
Still, they remain hopeful. Genovese’s is launching a four-course supper club later this year to draw in more diners and build deeper connections with the community. They invite Alhambra locals to come celebrate life’s moments at their table, whether it’s a weekday lunch, a birthday dinner, or a holiday with loved ones.
Visit them at 2900 W Main St for lunch or dinner.
Hours: 11:30 am – 7 pm Wednesday-Thursday
11:30 am – 8 pm Friday
12 – 8 pm Saturday
12 – 7 pm Sunday
Closed Monday – Tuesday
Phone: (626) 289-5667
Order ahead at genovesesitaliankitchen.com
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