Erie was once full of little hole-in-the-wall ethnic restaurants that offered real homemade food -- including pies and baked goods made from scratch and authentic Italian spaghetti sauce. Seems all these places had a little old woman or man in the kitchen doing all the cooking who still spoke their native tongue.

Among Erie's best was Chuck and Ginny's Place at 429 Raspberry Street which, sadly, closed earlier this year -- leaving Erieites hungering for their signature sauce.

In a letter to the editor in October, Virginia Smith -- owner of Chuck & Ginny's said

I would like to thank the people of Erie for 46 years of dining at my family business, Chuck & Ginny's Place.

My parents enjoyed so many prosperous years in this fine city. My parents gave their all and then some to make sure everyone felt welcome.

My mother got her recipe from my grandmother, Assunta Serafini. She and my grandfather, Edward Serafini, started Serafini's in 1938. By the grace of God, my parents were able to go out on their own and establish Chuck & Ginny's in 1961.

They made so many wonderful friends over the years, and many came back generation after generation. I also have many friends and supporters who were saddened to see us close.

The memories we all have will stay with us forever. Even now when I am out and about, people stop me and tell me how much they truly miss us. I miss them, too.

It has been a huge adjustment for my family and me because we have never done anything else. But I know, with the good Lord's help, we will move on to new endeavors.

I know my parents are proud that we tried our best to keep things going. Maybe someday we will be able to jar our sauce for the people who truly loved it.

Thanks, Erie.

The good news -- you can now get Chuck and Ginny's jarred sauce -- at Frontier Pharmacy .

Sweet.