How an Italian American Came to Invent the Philly Cheesesteak
It was the 1930s in South Philly, and Pat Olivieri ran a hot dog cart near the Italian Market. One afternoon, Olivieri couldn’t stomach the thought of another hot dog for lunch, so he sent his brother to the butcher. They chopped up and seasoned the fresh beef, topped it with onions and laid it across a bun. In that moment, a cab driver, also cravi...
Kenilworth’s Massimo Deli Competes for Best Mutz in New Jersey
The 2022 winners of the Best Mutz in New Jersey, Massimo Deli, are at it again competing for the best mozzarella in the central Jersey region. Voting began on May 15 and goes until May 29. To vote you must join Jersey Sandwich Joints or Jersey Pizza Joints on Facebook. To vote please go HERE. Back in March on nj.com Massimo Deli made the publicatio...
Popular Italian Restaurant In Maplewood To Move, Merge With Bakery
Arturo's Restaurant in Maplewood, which features gourmet wood-fired pizzas, is merging with a bakery called The Bread Stand, moving to larger digs, and changing its name. Now you'll be able to get warm bread, and wood fired pizzas, at "Artie's," the restaurant said in a social media post last week. Just a week earlier, they showed off their "asp...
Pasta dishes to try at the Jersey Shore that are out of this world
Pasta doesn't always mean spaghetti and meatballs, and sometimes sauce isn't just red or white. While there are countless pizzerias across the Jersey Shore where you enjoy a comforting bowl of penne a la vodka, the following spots boast out-there dishes that are sure to wow you and fill your belly. From fresh seafood dishes topped with local clams...
New Jersey’s Italian Cheese Empire
In Abruzzo, Italy, lies a small village by the name of Anversa degli Abruzzi. And when I say small, I mean it—just over 300 people inhabit the mountainside town overlooking the Saggitario Gorge. Livestock roams in the mountains of this eye-catching denomination. A family in this village—the Marcellis—herd sheep and goats for the purpose of making...
Mamma Mia! These Italian Restaurants in Monmouth County, NJ are a Must-Try
New Jersey is home to a proud Italian-American community, and as a result, Jersey has many exceptional Italian restaurants. Whether you are looking for a classic pasta dish or a more contemporary take on Italian cuisine, there is no shortage of options in the Garden State. Looking at New Jersey as a whole, one of the standout Italian restaurants is...
Dinner and Bocce Ball? This Authentic Italian Spot Just Opened in NJ
There’s a brand new restaurant in New Jersey that may be the most Jersey Italian establishment in the entire state. This is one of the old-school Italian restaurants that really gives you that mom-and-pop restaurant feels. The restaurant is called Osteria Del Corso and it just officially opened in South Orange, New Jersey. Not only do they have rea...
Joe Benny’s, home to focaccia pizza and ‘the best balls on the block,’ will close in Little Italy
Joe Benny’s, a Little Italy restaurant known for its distinctive Sicilian-style focaccia pizza, hearty sandwiches and jumbo meatballs, will close this spring after nine years in business. Owner Joseph “Joe Benny” Gardella shared the news in an emotional video posted to Instagram Thursday. “I’m forcing myself to keep going because I love this, I l...
New Italian Restaurant Debuts In Washington Township
Limoncello Ristorante opened its doors in April, complete with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Mayor Gattinelli, Council President Anthony Dellapia, Councilman Pete Delborrello and other officials. Situated at the former site of The Pelican Restaurant, Limoncello features an extensive menu of antipastos, salads, fish, pasta,...
Childhood Friends Set Opening Date For 2nd Deli In Ramsey
Sparo's announced they are celebrating the grand opening of its new downtown Ramsey location at 94 E Main St on Saturday, May 13 with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Sparo's, an Italian-style deli was established in 2019 in Montclair by two friends, Adam Rose and Mike Sparacino, and also has a location at Newark Airport. Rose works the back of the kitc...
First-ever cheesesteak contest at this year’s 9th St. Italian Market Festival
The cheesesteak, conceived in South Philadelphia, will be one of the main attractions at this year’s 9th Street Italian Market Festival, a highlight of the annual South Philly social calendar. It will host its first-ever cheesesteak competition, whose field of entrants will be determined by public nominations. Organizers said the shops will be invi...
You’ll Love These Unique Italian Regional Coffee Drinks
Italia has many fascinating regional coffee drinks and traditions. Let’s begin at the top of the boot and explore a few. In the Italian northwest Aosta Valley near France and Switzerland, one can enjoy a Caffè alla Valdostana. This popular coffee drink includes sugar, lemon peel, cloves, cinnamon and juniper. Traditionally drank from a wooden cup...