Joe’s Restaurant
“Parallel to Fresh Pond and with the growing popularity of Ridgewood, it is located in a more busy area with a few parking restrictions.”
“Joe's Italian and I go way back and this is hands downs my favorite Northern Italian Cuisine this side of Queens!”
“They bring out these amazing roasted peppers soaked in garlic and oil that is just heaven when paired with the warm bread.”
Joe’s Restaurant
Takes Reservations: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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Yum! Can't believe that we waited so long to try Joe's Restaurant.
We went there for dinner tonight and it was actually pretty crowded. A few people who came in after us had to wait 5-10 minutes for a table, but we were seated pretty quickly.
After a few minutes of sitting down, we were served with fresh, hot bread and a side of peppers in garlic oil. Delicious! The oil was so flavorful. I couldn't help sopping it up with the warm bread.
The menu is pretty straightforward. They've got a few appetizers, pasta dishes, veal, chicken, fish, and steak. We ordered the ziti with ricotta and the spaghetti with meatballs. We also got a side of the garlic bread parmigano (I know, more bread, but so worth it).
After placing our order, we sat for a few minutes enjoying the ambiance. The restaurant is pretty quiet except for the banter of the patrons and waitstaff. The decor is minimal, but welcoming. A large party was there celebrating a birthday.
By the time we noticed the picture of Bill O'Reilly on the wall, our food arrived. The portions were huge! The server sprinkled some grated cheese over our dishes at the table and then we dug in. The marinara sauce that came with the spaghetti and meatballs was great. Chunky and not too sweet. The meatballs were huge, too! I could barely finish one. I really liked Rus' dish too. Tons of ricotta and other cheese binded together his ziti and tomato sauce (I can't wait to sneak a bite of his leftovers). The garlic bread parmigano was loaded with garlic, cheese, and herbs. Just how we like it.
For desert, we shared an espresso and some tiramisu. Perfect way to end the meal. Service was so friendly and helpful. We'll definitely be back to Joe's.
Joe's is one of the best Italian restaurants I've been to and I've been to many! The staff are incredible and the food is divine with great portion size! I've had many celebratory dinners here!
Five stars but for the the lighting and the mushy, yucky broccoli and carrot side dish.
We waited for a table but not uncomfortably. Had a glass of wine and chatted with other patrons.
Peppers with olive oil and warm bread to start are delicious. Baked clams and antipasto are perfect. Double cut veal chop wih peppers and onions was very well prepared and presented. Shrimp parm was the best I've had and the mashed potatoes are fantastic.
Water keeps coming. Service is on point. Espresso with vanilla gelato (my invention) sambuca on the side and we will be back, often.
I've been here twice so far and I think I'll be coming back pretty often. It's a great, quality spot in a mostly residential area.
Arrival:
The first time I came in was on a busy Friday night. All tables were taken, busboys and waiters were super occupied. I instantly thought, "Wow crowded on a Friday in this neighborhood? Must be a good spot!" But after about 5 solid minutes of not being acknowledged, my mood started to change. Staff walked by us back and forth about 3 times. I wrote it off as them being overwhelmed. Finally, the owner (I think) comes to us and apologizes for the wait. He informs us there's a table opening up soon. Another 5 minutes and our table is ready.
Apps/Drinks:
They start you with a basket of delicious, flaky but soft, fresh bread and olive oil with sauteed peppers. Perfection! We had the shrimp cocktail (4 per order) and a mixed salad. Both pretty good. I had a glass of their house Cabernet which was smooth.
Entrees/Desserts:
Over the two visits, we've tried the chicken francese, shrimp francese, shrimp fra diavolo and the chicken cacciatore. The chicken francese & shrimp fra diavolo were my favorites. The shrimp francese was my least favorite. The breading tasted too eggy. The cannoli is housemade and was pretty good. The food style is very old school Italian and you can tell they care about the quality of their dishes.
Service:
So, at first I wasn't feeling the service. But once we were seated it improved a lot. The waiters were attentive, recommended great dishes and created small talk with us. The food came out pretty quickly and our refills were seamless.
I'd recommend checking this place out when in the area. They have an extensive and very inexpensive menu with good portions.
I walked into Joe's at 3 pm on a Sunday and it was pretty full – by 4 it was packed. Based on that information, you might not be surprised that the patrons were the older early bird type crowd and men in their 50s taking their mom out for dinner. This place is not hipstery at all and has a warm, welcoming feel. It's the type of place that had me considering a move to Ridgewood so that I could befriend an old couple who would adopt me. This place is so "Queens" it is unbelievable.
The food is great and the prices are on point. Pasta dishes range from about 12 to 16 bucks. I had the calamari fra diavlo, which was amazing.
Joe's Italian and I go way back and this is hands downs my favorite Northern Italian Cuisine this side of Queens! Lunch & Dinner here is sure to please you, your family and or your guests and Joe's is great for a date too!
Portions are huge, all the dishes are authentic in taste & flavor and the pasta is always cooked perfectly al dente. Everything from their appetizers to their Main course meals is spot on and you just can't go wrong dining here with the exception of the vegetables which are always over cooked and I hate mushy veggies.
My Top favorite dishes are noted below and you should give it a try if you ever stop by…
* Branzino in Lemon / Butter & their perfectly cooked Linguine and Garlic (Badda Bing)
* Mussels In Red Sauce the appetizer is perfect & the dinner portion does 3 ppl nicely
* Veal Chops
* Filet Of Sole
* Calamari – appetizer serves 2 fine / dinner plate will cover 3 comfortably
* All their Desserts are delizioso – The Bomba & Ricotta Cheese Cake are my very top favorites with the Ricotta Cheese cake being a slice of heavenly goodness!
Need To Know
* Make Reservations for evening Dining
* They Cater and do Take out just not delivery and all credit cards are excepted
Recommendations come from many of the people that we share time with, but when Mom, the old school Italian type, refers to Joe's as "A Must!", well, off I went. Sauce is not something I overlook, in fact I look closely. The Shrimp Fra Diavolo sauce was so flavorful with just the right amount of spice, I would buy that sauce separately if it was available and carry it around with me, adding it to pizza or sandwiches, almost any bread based food item.
The salads are bursting with fresh ingredients, a Caesar for under $5.00 is a nice start and with the house wine around the same price per glass of a nice young, not overly juicy table wine, I kept them coming.
The chicken cutlet parmigiana was less than I expected, breading was over a nice pounded breast, but it was only one piece, but as it is more of a lunch hero than a dinner item, I will give it a pass.
I forked a few portions of the Sausage and Peppers off the plate across from me, honestly it was one of the best I have had.
The menu is ull of Italian classics, throwing a dart at the menu may be my next option to choose as what I have enjoyed thus far, instills a firm belief that everything Joe's puts ou from th kitchen is a winner.
I was visiting my friend in Queens and we decided to go here on a whim, such a good decision! To start off the wait staff was very friendly. It was great from the get go from the warm delicious bread served with an olive oil-vegetable blend to the rigatoni to the lamb chops! If only we had room for dessert. I would recommend going in a group so everyone can try a little bit of everything. With that said, the portions are generous. Oh, and did I mention a whole bottle of cabernet for $20!