For nearly a century, the Chateau has been Waltham’s family table

As one Waltham resident put it, if you grew up in Waltham, the Chateau’s tomato sauce runs through your veins. For generations, it was the place you went for family gatherings, corporate luncheons or simply to take home a loaf of its famed Scali bread.

Nestled behind the shops and agencies of Banks Square, the Chateau is a long-standing Italian restaurant located at 195 School St. It opened in 1933, finding its roots as just a small cafe before expanding into the 800-seat facility it is today. 

Joseph and Mary Nocera opened the restaurant after immigrating to the United States from Sicily. When Joseph Nocera passed away, he left the restaurant to his son Louis “Lou” Nocera, who played a major role in the chain’s expansion to eight additional locations in Norwood, Stoughton, Andover, Norton, Braintree, Burlington, Franklin and Woburn.

In 2010, the Noceras opened a new chain of sports bars, Jake n JOES Sports Grille, to appeal to younger clients. There are a total of five locations across Massachusetts, with the Waltham location on Market Place Drive.

Lou Nocera passed away in 2020, leaving control of the restaurant to his son and current president of the restaurant group, Joseph Nocera. The third and fourth generations of the Nocera family continue to be mainstays of the business community in Waltham.

The Chateau’s longevity—surviving shifts in both the local character of Waltham and national economic upheavals such as the Great Depression and the Great Recession over its nearly 100-year history—is a testament to its centrality to community life in Waltham. 

An abundance of space and community spirit

Local residents say the Chateau’s large space and plentiful parking make it a popular choice for work functions and large family gatherings. The Waltham location offers six private rooms — the Wine, Gold, Ruby, Tuscany, Venetian and Green rooms.

The Chateau serves as the monthly meeting spot for the Waltham Lions Club. It remains popular for fundraisers for local organizations such as PTOs, youth sports and cultural groups, offering a program that donates 20% of all pre-tax sales for a night directly to the school or organization. In 2025, the Waltham Historical Society, Waltham Partners of Performers and Presenters, MacArthur school PTO and Kennedy school PTO were among the groups hosting fundraising events at the Chateau.

The Nocera family has a particular passion for supporting youth athletic programs. In addition to hosting fundraisers for various Waltham sports teams, Jake n JOES also sponsors Brandeis’ Athlete of the Week program. The program presents awards to “top Brandeis student-athletes who have had an outstanding athletic achievement in the week prior,” and features them inside the Waltham Chateau and Jake n JOES.

The Chateau also supports the community through gift card donations and discounts on catering orders. 

While the Chateau continues to maintain a loyal clientele, residents note it’s not immune from the test of time. Long-time community members in the Waltham, MA Residents Facebook group who have dined at the Chateau throughout their lives say the price of food has risen while the quality has declined.

While such changes may reflect changes in management, it also speaks to the challenges of operating a restaurant for nearly a century during fluctuating economic conditions. Analysts note the continued disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic that has reduced consumers’ desire to eat out as well as rising labor and food costs that shrink operator margins. Residents also said the Chateau tends to draw an older clientele, appealing mostly to long-time Walthamites for whom the Chateau offers a sense of familiarity, which limits its appeal to a younger demographic. 

The Chateau today faces stiff competition in Waltham, with no shortage of Italian restaurants including Il Capriccio, Stazione di Federal, Vinotta, La Campania and Da Vinci Ristorante.

Yet despite these challenges, the Chateau has carved out its role in Waltham as an institution that plays a profound role in giving back to its community and offers a nostalgic taste of home.