our history

In 1951, Bruno Itin immigrated to Indiana from his home in Switzerland. Upon his arrival, he found a job working construction in Gary, where he worked for two years. During this time Bruno took a second job as a baker at the Famous Flamingo restaurant where he continued to practice the trade he originally learned in Switzerland.

Bruno left Gary in 1953 and moved to South Bend where he was employed at the Volcano restaurant until 1955. It was during this time that Bruno met his wife Evelyn. Bruno and Evelyn moved to West Lafayette, a college town without any pizza places at the time, and established their own restaurant. Bruno's Pizza opened just 10 days after their wedding day in 1955. When the restaurant first opened, Bruno's now famous pizza was the only item served. As the restaurant grew, Bruno added a variety of unique Swiss, Italian, German, and American dished to the menu.

After an extensive remodeling project in 1970, Bruno changed the name of the restaurant to Bruno's Swiss Inn. The name reflected the Swiss Chalet design of the "new" building. Additional remodeling and expansion was completed in 1976, and the restaurant was furnished in authentic artifacts of Switzerland to provide an atmosphere reminiscent of a mountainside inn. In 1998, due to US 231 road construction, Bruno's relocated to a new location across the street from the old restaurant. Bruno's new building features Big O's Sports Room as well as rooms with the Swiss design of the old restaurant.

Bruno Sr. passed away in 2006 and has been dearly missed by his family, community, and employees. He will always be remembered for his one of a kind personality, sense of humor, and kindness. Today, the restaurant is owned and operated by Bruno's two sons, Orlando and Bruno Junior, and daughter Tina. With all six of Bruno's granddaughters working as well, he would be proud of the family tradition that has been upheld since 1955