A fire broke out at Michael’s Italian Restaurant in Niagara Falls, causing $150,000 in damage and leaving the community heartbroken.
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — A weekend fire has left heartbreak in the Niagara Falls community after flames tore through Michael’s Italian Restaurant, a neighborhood fixture that’s been serving customers for 61 years.
The fire happened on Saturday, July 12th, around 9:08 p.m. at Michael’s, located at 3011 Pine Avenue. According to Niagara Falls city offficals, crews arrived to find smoke coming from the building. Firefighters entered through the back of the restaurant to battle the flames, which were found in the main cooking area.
Two firefighters were treated at the scene for heat exhaustion. Fire investigators estimate the damage at $150,000. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Michael’s has been a part of Niagara Falls since 1966 — known not just for its subs, pasta, and Italian classics, but for being a place where memories were made across generations.
Now, the windows are boarded up, caution tape surrounds the building, and a condemned sign is posted on the front door.
“It’s heartbreaking, it’s sad because that’s a Niagara Falls thing,” said Michael Whittle. Whittle was home Saturday night when the fire broke out across the street from him.
He described watching the fire unfold in real time. “There was a lot of smoke everywhere,” said Michael Whittle, who lives nearby.
“The firefighters came here and went in through the front, broke the windows, and did their thing.”
In the days since, community members have been stopping by, taking pictures and remembering meals shared at Michael’s.
Bruce Brown has lived in Niagara Falls for years. “We used to come and get takeout here. They had great subs. It was like an old Italian restaurant — and now, that’s gone. There are so few good ones left.”
“I personally liked the spaghetti and the Alfredo,” Noel Dentise added. “The atmosphere was great all around.”
With no clear timeline on what comes next, locals say they’re hoping the community can rally behind the owners during such a difficult time.
“I really would like to see the community rally around them. I can’t imagine what their family is going through right now,” said Brown.
While the building may be boarded up, the legacy of Michael’s — and what it meant to the community — remains very much alive.
To our community:
Last night, our beloved restaurant of 61 years experienced a devastating fire. Michael Capizzi…
Posted by Michaels Restaurant on Sunday, July 13, 2025