With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Mafia Tomato Sauce Wars? L.A. Man & Family Descendants Claim Al Capone's Original Recipe
In one corner is Chicago-based Dominic Capone III, the great nephew of famous mafioso Al Capone. In the other corner is Robert Castine, the Los Angeles-based owner of a company that runs Al Capone Spaghetti Sauce And Meatballs. Who is selling the recipe that is closest to the one Al Capone loved? That's up for debate, finds consumer finance blog WalletPop.
Dominic runs Capone Family Secret and his website says the pasta sauce recipes were consistently found every time law enforcement authorities raided a Capone warehouse. That's 137 raids, they say. "There was only a few items found on every single raid and it was not alcohol. It was the recipes of the 'Capone Family Secret' pasta sauces. Of course this was never made public; it remained confidential for the last 80+ years."
As for Castine's recipe, his website claims: "This is the real thing! This recipe came to us directly from the daughter of Al Capone's personal cook and housekeeper (her father was Al's handyman and gardener).... We're 100 percent confident of this recipe's provenance, there's just no room for doubt that it's anything but 'The One and Only Al Capone's favorite Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs Recipe.' And so we've obtained a legal affidavit stating the provenance and our source for the recipe."
Sponsored message
For history buffs, the accuracy of the claims is of upmost importance. For consumers, however, it's going to come down to taste. WalletPop only tried Dominic's recipe and said it was "not for the faint of palate. The classic marinara variety I tried is on the peppery side, and liberally dosed with garlic. If it's actually the recipe Scarface favored, you can bet that a few spoonfuls gave him killer bad breath ... which seems fitting given his 'profession.'"
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
