Iconic Raleigh restaurant Amedeo's may be on the move as owner looks to redevelop, relocate

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant has been an N.C. State hangout and Raleigh institution for more than six decades. It has served generations of families and Wolfpack fans. The City of Raleigh recognized its significance and proclaimed Aug. 27th as Amedeo’s Day in 2023.

Amedeo’s President and CEO, David Harris, is now considering redeveloping the property and relocating the restaurant.

The Amedeo’s ownership group is also the majority owner of the Western Boulevard property.

“We understand this news may be emotional, and we share those feelings. Amedeo’s is part of Raleigh’s history and part of all our family’s story,” Hess said in a Facebook post. “The building now requires significant updates to operate long-term, and upcoming road expansion plans will impact the property.”

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The City of Raleigh says a future 12-mile-long Bus Rapid Transit line would go along Western to connect Raleigh to Cary.

A spokesperson says the project is years away and in the early planning stages.

Charlie Sawyer is a 1972 N.C. State graduate. He went to Amedeo’s several times while in college and has patronized it since. Sawyer said he has bittersweet feelings about the potential closure along Western Boulevard.

“Ademeo’s was one of our regular haunts that we went to (in college),” said Sawyer. “I think there’s a piece of it, this nostalgia. We don’t want things to change, but changes are inevitable. We remember things fondly, and we say we wish it was like it used to be, but it never is. Progress is in there somewhere.”