There’s a reason the classics are called the classics. They stand the test of time, becoming community pillars. That’s exactly what happened with Figaretti’s Restaurant.

The staple of Ohio Valley cuisine recently was honored by the James Beard Foundation with an America’s Classics Award. Presented by the Beard Foundation since 1998, the award celebrates, according to its website, “independently owned restaurants with timeless appeal. These institutions reflect local character and cultural traditions and serve as an enduring anchor for their communities by serving delicious food across many years.”

And that perfectly describes Figaretti’s, which has been owned by the same family for generations. The food and the atmosphere are both timeless, the tables packed. Current owner Dino Figaretti can often be found walking around the restaurant greeting diners, something the Beard Foundation mentioned specifically in its announcement.

Figaretti’s also works hard at being an active part of the community, supporting the local Special Olympics, sending food to local soup kitchens and offering discounts to first responders.

“It’s hard to believe that a small little Italian restaurant like this can win an award like that,” Figaretti said.

Yet when you look at what Figaretti’s has meant to the Ohio Valley over nearly eight decades, it’s not hard to believe at all. The winning formula has remained the same all this time, and now the rest of the United States is learning about it.