Frank Cullotta’s Greatest (Kitchen) Hits: A Gangster’s Cookbook

Frank Cullotta’s kitchen stories come with recipes: Italian favorites, family dishes, comfort-food suppers, and sweets, gathered from Cullotta, his relatives, and friends. Co-authored with Dennis N. Griffin, this cookbook pairs a broad home-cooking collection with personal recollections—including the story of the Las Vegas pizza restaurant where Cullotta served his deep-dish specialty.

From Upper Crust pizza to family favorites 🍕

The Italian section opens with Upper Crust pizza and dough, then moves through dishes such as braciole, cavatelli, chicken cacciatore, ravioli, meatballs, and several baked pasta recipes. Cullotta introduces the pizza with a memory of opening the restaurant in 1979, giving the recipe a story as well as a place on the menu.

A generous mix for the home table

There is plenty beyond pasta. The collection includes soups and stews, salads, breads, desserts, casseroles, chicken dishes, and other familiar meal ideas. Apple cake, cannoli, dumplings, chowders, stuffed peppers, and fried cabbage are among the recipes listed in the contents. That variety makes the book easy to browse according to what sounds good today, rather than follow as a single, fixed menu.

Recipes with personal roots

In the introduction, Cullotta describes bringing together his own favorites alongside dishes recommended by family—including his mother—and friends. He notes that some recipes have been handed around for decades and adapted over time, while others are newer. The result offers a glimpse of the people and memories attached to the food, without losing sight of the practical pleasure of choosing something to cook.

For curious cooks and crime-history readers

Readers looking for an eclectic cookbook with an autobiographical thread will find both here: a varied selection of home-style recipes and Cullotta’s personal perspective. It also offers an unexpected side of a figure associated with Las Vegas and organized-crime history. More than 40 color photographs are noted in the publisher’s listing.

Choose a recipe, set the table, and let this unusual collection bring a little story to the meal. 📚