Step inside Patsy’s Tavern & Restaurant, and the moment feels like a trip back in time to 1931 when Pasquale “Patsy” Barbarulo first opened its doors.
The restaurant’s location on a quiet Paterson street has become a landmark for handmade Italian classics and old-style pizza 🍕 that brings both longtime residents and curious visitors through the door.
With family ownership across generations and original brick ovens still baking pizzas, this place remains a regular stop on local dinner routines and weekend plans.
How This Paterson Spot Has Been Drawing Crowds Since 1931 in Paterson NJ
For more than ninety years, Patsy’s Tavern & Restaurant has been part of Paterson’s daily rhythm, feeding generations of families after long work shifts with Italian classics made by hand.
In its early decades patrons from nearby textile mills and factories gave this tavern its start, and stories passed across families keep bringing descendants and new guests through the same doors.
On typical weekday evenings, regulars fill the dining room and bar at the first sign of open doors, booking tables in advance to avoid missing out on popular dinner hours.
From young adults meeting friends for a pie after work to older couples reserving a corner booth, the space hums with a mix of voices and shared tables.
As Paterson evolved around it, the restaurant preserved its original character while customers continued to come back for its style of pizza and hearty Italian plates passed down through decades.
People talk about the brick-oven pies and the mix of toppings with the same words used by diners in reviews and conversations spanning years.
Today you’ll see folks visiting on Thursday lunch hours, families gathered at long communal tables on Saturdays, and alumni returning from out of state with old friends in tow.
These repeat visits, photos shared online, and regular booth reservations tell you this place is woven into the social fabric of Paterson.
Food Highlights
Here are standout dishes that locals and visitors keep coming back to try 😋:
- Garbage Pie 🍕 – A loaded pizza with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onion, and garlic that delivers an iconic mix of flavors on a uniquely crisp crust.
- Mozzarella Pizza 🍕 – Classic brick-oven pie with rich red sauce and plenty of melted mozzarella that sets the bar for old-school pizza in the region.
- Long Hots with Sausage and Potatoes 🌶️ – A hearty starter of sautéed hot peppers with crumbled sausage and tender potatoes that complements bigger mains.
- Mussels Marinara 🐚 – Mussels steamed in fragrant tomato sauce make for a juicy opening to any dinner at this tavern.
- Broccoli Rabe with Sausage 🥦 – Bitter greens cooked with savory sausage bring robust flavor and satisfying texture to the table.
- Calamari Marinara 🦑 – Tender calamari rings served in rich marinara sauce pair beautifully with a cold beverage.
- Chicken Parmigiana 🍗 – A generous portion of chicken, breaded and covered in red sauce and cheese, served with pasta or salad.
- Eggplant Rollantini 🍆 – Layers of eggplant rolled with cheese and sauce create a comforting plate with classic Italian flavors.
Atmosphere
A sense of history is apparent the moment you step inside the door at this Paterson staple, with wood-finished walls and vintage elements greeting each guest.
The seating layout creates a friendly environment where conversations flow easily between tables and the bar area glows with warm light.
Visitors often comment that the atmosphere feels like walking into a neighborhood gathering place that has been hosting meals for generations.
Bottom Line
Expect a visit here to connect you with history, community, and genuinely memorable Italian plates rooted in tradition. The combination of nearly a century of family-run operation, original recipes, and old-school pizza ovens creates a distinctive experience not found in modern chains.
With regulars booking tables early and repeat visitors returning from far beyond Paterson, this is a spot that keeps showing up on dinner plans.
Address:
📍 72 7th Ave, Paterson, NJ 07524
📞 (973) 742-9596
🕔 Open Tue-Fri 4:30 PM–9 PM; Thu-Fri lunch 11 AM–1 PM; Sat 4:30 PM–9 PM; closed Sun-Mon.