Joe Gans Italian Cafe was located at 860 University Ave. W in St. Paul.

According to Ramsey County (via lyfmap.com), this building was built in 1914.  It had a storefront on the ground floor and residences on the top floor.

Not to be confused with champion lightweight black boxer Joe Gans from Baltimore, “Dago” Joe Gans was a rugged welterweight from the West 7th Street District of St. Paul.  He apparently went by that name with no apologies, and perhaps to distinguish himself from the other, more famous Joe Gans.

In August 1937 he was heard to say that he was opening up a food spot that’ll be the the talk of the town. Sportswriter Percy Villa deemed him still to be a handsome guy.

1950 photo courtesy Minnesota Historical Society via lyfmap.com

A blurb in the Minneapolis Tribune on December 30, 1943, said that Joe was doing all right with his restaurant, where he specialized in Italian dishes.

1950 photo courtesy Minnesota Historical Society via lyfmap.com

One thing we do know is that the Cafe did offer “Dancing Every Night,” as it says in the window in the first photo above.  In the photo below, there is a sign that promises a Floor Show.  Is that Joe in front of the ladies in white?

1950 photo courtesy Minnesota Historical Society via lyfmap.com

And this must be the Joe Gans Orchestra.  Space was at a premium at Joe’s!

1950 photo courtesy Minnesota Historical Society via lyfmap.com

Since this venue was in St. Paul and the St. Paul papers are not online, information is scarce.  I do believe Joe’s was still there in 1955.