A Family Restaurant Story
Serving the South Bay since 1997.
Amato's Cheesesteaks is part of a family restaurant tradition that began with Paul Amato in New Jersey during the 1970s. In 1997, his daughter Leda Dill and son-in-law Bill Dill brought that tradition to San Jose. Today, Amato's continues as a multigenerational, family-owned business with two local locations.
Real Philly. Real Fresh.
What Makes Us Different
Philly Style
Thinly sliced steak, melted cheese, and a fresh roll — grilled the way a great cheesesteak should be.
Made Fresh
Grilled to order. Never pre-made, never microwaved.
Built to Share
Generous portions for lunch, dinner, and gatherings.
Timeline
1970s
The Amato family restaurant tradition begins
Paul Amato opened Amato's Italian Restaurant and Pizza in Pennsauken, New Jersey, just outside Philadelphia. His restaurants established the family's tradition of Italian-American food, pizza, and sandwiches.
1984
The family closes a difficult chapter
Following Paul's passing, the Amato family made the difficult decision to close the New Jersey restaurants. Although the original restaurants were gone, the family's connection to the restaurant business continued.
1997
Amato's Cheesesteaks opens in San Jose
Paul's daughter, Leda Dill, and her husband, Bill Dill, returned to the restaurant business with longtime friend and partner Lance Bruce. Together, they opened Amato's Cheesesteaks in San Jose and named it in honor of Paul Amato.
1999
A second San Jose location opens
Bill, Leda, and Lance expanded Amato's with a second restaurant near First and William streets in Downtown San Jose.
2001
The family refocuses the business
Bill, Leda, and Lance ended their business partnership, and Bill and Leda assumed full ownership of Amato's. With limited staffing and the challenges of operating two restaurants, the family closed the Downtown San Jose location and focused on the Saratoga Avenue shop.
2009
The next generation takes the lead
Bill and Leda's son, Billy Dill, took the lead in the family business as Bill began stepping back from day-to-day operations. This marked the beginning of a new generation of family leadership at Amato's.
2013
The family opens the Almaden location
Bill returned to the business to help the family open Amato's Almaden location at 2306 Almaden Road, Suite 110, in Willow Glen Plaza. The opening brought two generations back together in the business and restored Amato's to two San Jose locations.
Today
A multigenerational family business
Amato's continues serving San Jose and the surrounding South Bay from its Saratoga Avenue and Almaden Road locations. The family-owned business carries forward the restaurant tradition that began with Paul Amato in New Jersey.
What customers can expect
Made-to-order cheesesteaks and sandwiches in multiple sizes, two local San Jose locations, online ordering, and in-store service.