Sweet Memories

During wedding, communion and graduation season, don’t be surprised if every party you attend features a homemade Rito’s Italian Bakery cake.

By: Beth Newcomb
Date: 04/30/2008
For more than 40 years, the Rito family has been making memories sweeter for thousands of other families in this area. “Many of our customers have been with us as we’ve grown throughout the years,” a smiling Anna Ciancibello offers. “We made cakes for baby showers and then make the cakes for the weddings—when those babies are ready to get married.”

Anna, along with brothers Jim and Anthony Rito, own and operate the Rito’s Italian Bakery, Deli and Catering locations in both Parma and Brunswick. “Our customers have come to count on us, and it’s humbling to have someone stop me on the street to tell me how much they love what we do,” she adds.  

In fact, word of mouth is Rito’s best form of advertising. “When one of our cakes is served at a family event, we receive many thank-you cards filled with compliments which we greatly appreciate,” she says with a twinkle.

The success of the Rito’s Parma location spawned the opening of their Brunswick store seven years ago. Each day they will turn out hundreds of loaves of fresh Italian, rye and sourdough bread. On any given weekend, upwards of 10 wedding cakes can be found in the kitchen. “There is virtually no limit to the number of cakes we can create in a weekend—and we never turn anyone away,” Anna assures.  

That’s really good to know, particularly when Aunt Sally has insisted that she will be the one to create your wedding cake masterpiece, but the idea falls flat just a week before the ceremony. “We have accommodated brides who need cakes on short notice, but to get the cake of your dreams, you’ll want to sit down with one of our wedding consultants to go over the details for your special day,” she suggests.

Jim is typically the mastermind behind the stunning cake designs that Rito’s has become known for. Flavors include their vanilla-flavored white cake, double-dark chocolate, lemon-hinted yellow, raisin and walnut-packed carrot, robust date and nut, and the perennial favorite-marble.  

“We can do any kind of design,” Jim offers. “We make all of our cakes from scratch—even the white icing. Fondant designs are very popular right now, but we still get requests for traditional iced flowers.”  
The Brunswick location features an elaborate wedding cake display and both stores have albums full of finished cake designs to help you get ideas.  

February is the month when Rito’s hosts its famous cake tasting event, when any bride-to-be can sink into a variety of delicious Rito’s cakes before her big day. “We always offer sample cakes in all of the flavors we create for just $8-$10. It’s a great way for a couple to get exactly what they want for their wedding,” Jim says.

Cassata cakes are another Rito’s Bakery signature item and flavors include strawberry, cappuccino, chocolate rum, ricotta and tiramisu. Any wedding cake can be ordered as a cassata cake, or with a mousse filling if desired. There are eight mousse flavors to choose from. “You can customize any cake by picking the cake flavor that you like and pairing it with any mousse filing,” he encourages.

Rito’s can handle all the food for any party from start to finish, leaving you to enjoy the day with friends and family. A deliciously prepared Rito’s deli tray is a great way to make party hosting a breeze. “Our deli selections are the freshest available,” says Anna, who offers the American Party Tray at just $4.75 per person.

It includes three cheeses, five meats, olives, olive salad, Rito’s freshly baked bread, potato or macaroni salad, Rito’s Sicilian red pizza, dinnerware and utensils.

The Italian Party Tray costs just $5.75 per person and includes Italian variations on all deli selections, as well as mushroom and artichoke salads, Rito’s Italian hard and sour dough rolls, Rito’s Sicilian red pizza, dinnerware and utensils.

Catering is available for parties of ten or more.  “Many people don’t realize that we can take care of groups as large as 200,” Anthony supplies.

Marking a child’s First Holy Communion should always include a special dessert for guests to enjoy. “Our communion cakes start at just $28.98 for half-sheet,” Anthony supplies. You may choose to adorn your confection with a chalice and rosary with writing for just $5, or add an edible image of your little one for just $8.

“It’s so special to see your child’s photo on the cake,” Anna beams. “It really makes them feel like the day is all about them. Because it is.” And if your little one happens to be not so little anymore, a Rito’s graduation cake is a must.

Other specialty desserts such as Tirimisu and chocolate fudge logs, cannoli, pastry trays and cherry, apple and the most popular cheese filo strudels are also available. And because Rito’s Bakery is so busy during party season, it’s best to place cake orders 48 to 72 hours in advance to ensure that everything is ready in time for your big event.

Of course everyday is the perfect day to take home any of the Rito’s mouth-watering items featured in the store. Their Italian deli boasts some of the freshest meats and cheeses in the area and their Broccoli Patti—an inventive twist on quiche— as well as the traditional lasagna, rigatoni and eggplant parmesan keep a steady stream of customers coming through the door.

“We make and sell a ton of our homemade pizza dough,” Anna says. “Busy moms love to keep it on hand in the freezer for fresh, hot pizza, anytime.” Pair it with their signature Rito’s Homemade Marinara Sauce and fresh mozzarella cheese. “Our sauce sells fast so we make it fresh at least three times a week,” Jim says.

They also make and sell their Rito’s Peppers and Onions Sauce, which Anthony says is excellent over their homemade sausage. “We’ve been using the same sausage recipe since we started in business,” he reports.

“We want everything we create to be of the finest quality,” Anna concludes. “Because when you sit down with your family to celebrate one of life’s milestones, the memories from that day should be the sweetest.”

Rito’s Italian Bakery, Deli and Catering is located at 10551 W. Pleasant Valley Road in Parma. The phone number is 440-845-9414. Find them in Brunswick at 1930 Pearl Road. The phone number there is 330-220-3103. Hours at both locations are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., with Parma closing at 3 p.m. Visit the website at www.ritosbakery.com.
 

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