Papa Gino's got its start in 1961 as a humble East Boston pizza shop. When the family of Papa Gino's founder, Michael Valerio, emigrated from Italy to Boston three decades earlier, they brought with them authentic Italian family recipes handed down through generations. These were the recipes Michael and his wife, Helen, used when they opened their first pizzeria, Piece O' Pizza. This restaurant soon became known throughout Boston as the place to go for pizza of superior quality and unique flavor.