Rita & Joe’s Italian Restaurant

I don’t know why I’ve passed by so many times and never come in here. I was pleasantly surprised by Rita & Joe’s.
The atmosphere made me really feel at home. Definitely family oriented. Saw a lot of take out customers, I don’t know why I haven’t known about this?!!
Everything that was put on our table was delicious. The attention to detail in the flavor category is really what surprised me. From side salad and soup to appetizers, entrée, and then desert was very fresh and delicious.
The staff was pleasant and extremely polite. I will definitely come back here again.

Had dinner at Rita & Joe’s on Friday. It was wonderful. Had a burrata and heirloom tomato salad with a balsamic reduction as an appetizer! Could have had three of them, that’s how good it was! Then had monk fish dinner which was seasoned and prepared to perfection! There was a wonderful rice side and puréed vegetable with a fresh cherry reduction! I thought I died and went to heaven! Thank you Chef Stephen! Can’t wait to go back!

So I wrote a previous review of this place and it was removed by Unilocal & the manager of this establishment. So I will re write a much more thorough review since apparently it wasn’t elaborate enough.
I thoroughly review restaurants before I make a decision to go to the establishment to prevent issues such as the one I had when I went here for the first time Sunday October 11, 2015 with my now boyfriend. My boyfriend & I paid using a debit card so we have the receipt and the debit card payment as proof.
Upon entering we were greeted by a nice individual whom then seated us. We asked to move to the booth by the window and they allowed us to with no issue which was very nice. We were then greeted by another person who was our waiter and he asked if we’d like drinks to start. We ordered bottle water and then we took asked about a few dishes on the menu. We ordered and our food came fast. I asked if I can order shrimp, and chicken carbonara with broccoli and provolone cheese. He said yes. My boyfriend ordered spaghetti & meat sauce. When my food came it was very bland and dry. I had asked him for extra sauce prior and had not gotten it. I asked him for it and he had an attitude when I reminded him. That was okay. What wasn’t okay was he never came back for about 2inutes. He began to serve another table. I got up and asked someone at the bar if they can help and they got someone to attend to me. When the second waiter came I asked him for the sauce and he said okay. It’s now 30minutes my food is cold and still no sauce. 10 minutes later the initial waiter comes back with a bowl of what looked like mayonnaise and water, (not the creamy sauce it comes with), he placed it on the table and walked away. I was so livid, I just asked for the bill and my boyfriend and i left. The waiter was rude and beyond unfriendly. I ended up throwing away the bland dry food. It was just an overall bad experience.

Solid– good food every time. I love it here. It’s my go-​to Italian spot in JC. Great prices and large portions. They changed up their menu maybe about a year ago and took my favorite item off the menu: Tortellini Quattro formaggio. Please please please put this back on the menu!
I do have to say that they do offer to make it for me if I ask– however it isn’t with tortellini, it’s with another pasta and somehow, it’s not the same.
I do love this place though. Just a note to the owner– I know JC is changing and people may want to see different items on the menu, but some of us like the old school dishes — done well — which is exactly what your restaurant does. A good mix of both would go far for both types of clientele.
Keep it up!

We were in town from DC area for a funeral. Checked Unilocal for local mom & pop Italian. We were so impressed first with the service but the food was the star, including homemade pastas and amazing chicken parm. Unfortunately DC doesn’t have these Italian mom & pop establishments (at least no good ones), so it was great to throw down some authentic eats like my grandmother used to make.

Came in for lunch buffet with coworkers for our boss’ birthday. Very friendly staff. Food was delicious and authentic Italian. Prices were good too but this is purely based on lunch buffet prices. Nice restaurant. I’d recommend

Came for dinner on a Monday. Unlike most places in Jersey City, it has it’s own parking lot across the street. When we walked in, I immediately noticed that the place smelled like mildew. Service was OK. The waiter seemed annoyed with any questions we had about the menu. A server also made a bit of a spill while pouring water. According to our waiter, the menu changes seasonally.
I ordered the chicken cardinal with ziti on the side. The chicken was not over or undercooked, and the shrimp/​prosciutto went well with the mozzarella and sauce. Ziti was in plain tomato sauce, nothing special. The ambiance of the place reminded me more of a bar than a restaurant.

Very good italian food at reasonable price. Very himely atmosphere with friendly helpers.
Definitely worth all the high rating that this place recieves.

Great wine!
I will never forget this.
White wine shrimps.
Very nice.
It’s a great idea to pass there.
Made with flavor.
Local people recommend this restaurant.
They where right!
Go there for a lunch!
See you there.

I was looking for a place to eat on a Wednesday night before a meeting. I got this recommendation from a friend who called it a Jersey City classic. Awesome food both traditional items and some avante guard things. Something for every price point. I’ll be back.

An update review, a year after our anniversary dinner. This year, my fiancé and I were joined by my parents and brother, all avid consumers of Boston-​style Italian food. We thoroughly enjoyed the spaghetti (homemade!) and clam, argula salad, shrimp and spinach lasanga dishes. Will definitely be back. And thank you again.

This has been a solid go to spot for a while for classic italian fare. I dont know if they have been watching too much cooking channel but they completely overhauled the menu & jacked up the prices with all new age italian dishes. While kudos for innovation, cmon look at your location and know your client base.
You can still order anything you want and pay the same old great prices, you just have to ask for the old favorites.

This place has been here since before I was born! I think they are under new management because the menu completely changed (besides a few of their staples) and the outside design of the restaurant is totally different. Nonetheless, we still enjoyed ourselves and were pleasantly surprised by the same great device and good. We ordered to go because it was late, and while we waited for our food we ordered the fried calamari. Even though it was good, I was focused on the bread and their homemade balsamic vinaigrette olive oil blend which is AMAZING! If you go here please request the balsamic vinaigrette blend with the complimentary bread that comes on the table. I haven’t been to this place in nearly a decade and STILL that was one thing that had not changed! Yum! We both ordered chicken Parm with ziti for our entrees. It was really good, perfectly seasoned, just enough cheese and the chicken was fantastic. However, they give you three huge chicken cutlets and not enough ziti noodles to match. By the time I was done with my first chicken cutlet, all my pasta noodles had been gone. I thought maybe it was me, but my boyfriend noticed the same. If you order with them request that they give you equal amount of pasta to meat. Other than that, we were very satisfied with our visit and will be returning! The service was awesome I must note.

This review is focuses on their party room/​catering service.
From the catering point of view, we could not be happier. They were on top of everything-​keeping glasses full and moving the party along at a perfect pace (not rushing at all). Minos was the primary staff member working our party, and he was excellent! He was gracious and checked in appropriately, anticipating everything we needed before we needed it. So, so happy with his work.
Being recently remodeled, the space is clean and organized and comfortably fit our guests (40 adults/​20 kids). There area few parking spots out front, and a lot across the street for your convenience.
The food was good (not the best ever, but we were happy)…the meatballs weren’t the same as we experienced in the restaurant, but it’s hard to prepare for so many. We received a number of compliments on the food from our guests.
The value is outstanding… the price is significantly less than a number of other options we considered. That, in combination with the customer service, makes this one choice I’d strongly recommend.

Loved this place! Very cozy and family friendly. Kinda reminded me the sopranos ;) The service was great and the food was delicious. What stood out the most was the Manicotti. There’s plenty to choose from on the menu but I think I would go back for this over and over again.

I loved coming to this place. The menu has been changed to accommodate in season foods. The sign outside has been changed. It still looks the same inside– it’s no longer my taste. I am not sure if the cook has changed… I know this place has been here forever. They are just trying to update the menu– it is not the place for me anymore. I complained about not receiving the bread my husband order and refills, as everyone knows it is not as big in here. After that they were more attentive to us. I did notice the change in the food presentation, much more attractive.
The taste of the bake ziti not the same :0/​still a good Italian restaurant… But it is not what it was.

Great place to eat. I come hear every two weeks when i am in town. The food is very good and the prices are reasonable … excellent deserts … The staff is friendly any they will accommodate changes or off menu requests.

Best meatballs ever! Flavorful and moist. Great service in a romantic dimmed setting. I had the chicken Cardinal and it was such a great combo of chicken, shrimp, roasted peppers, mozzarella and prosciutto. The serving size was large and I had to take half home. I recommend dining in as it was a pleasant dining experience.

We have always loved Rita and Joes. We moved from Manhattan and found this spot a few years ago. The food and service have always been wonderful. We have gotten to know the staff and owner and love this place, we feel like family. We send every friend who has moved to the area and anyone thats not been there before to this spot. Its old school in what the interior looks like, but don’t that that fool you, the food and service is killer.
Recently Rita and Joes has stepped up the game even more. They hired a new, young and innovative chef from the city who is bringing the culinary skills to match whats happening in JC Grove Street area. The menu has now changed to seasonal fare and he has kept some of the staples. We honestly have been back more often because of the food changes than ever before. Im sure the long time old school locals are upset with change, but this is where they needed to go. With the neighborhood changing and everyone from the city moving here, you need to match the type of food we are used to and they are doing that. The Truffle Gnocchi and meatballs is sick. I always try and get one of the specials to see what the chef is doing.
For those lucky to have a car, you can actually drive and park in the 2 lots they have. We are lucky and have to walk about 100 yards.
Go here, try all different things and get to know the staff… you won’t be disappointed.

The place was already very good, but now, they have a new Chef, and he’s not kidding around! Its one thing when the food is very tasty, but when the presentation is as good as the food, u know u’r dealing with real cuisine.
Salmon tartare was perfect (first time ever i didn’t have to had salt, pepper or lemon). The octopus salad was perfectly balance. One of the special of the day was a pan roasted salmon with grilled shrimp and broccoli rabe… Delicieux.
Do yourself a favor, GO TRY.
Ps: Julio, the waiter, is the man.

Nice little restaurant, clean street parking, attentive, good food and friendly people (customers and staff).

Only have been here a few times for dinner and a party in the back room. If this restaurant was in the town I live in I would go more. The food is just incredible. The Parpadelle with Grape tomatoes, broccoli rabe, fresh mozzarella & prosciutto is delicious. But my favorite dish is the Manicotti Fatto just incredible so good. That’s my go to dish here. Love the after dinner cookies they give you. The prices are extremely reasonable too.

I’ve been to Rita & Joe’s a few times and I have to say their Italian food is great! It’s nice to have a local spot that just hits all the right taste buds in every dish. Everything is just so yummy. The Eggplant Parm and Manicotti Fatto are awesome entrees. As for an appetizer, the Truffle gnocchi & meatballs with mushrooms, pancetta & a sherry cream salad is to DIE for. I was in heaven. It’s an intimate spot, but not pretentious at all. You feel very much at home and the staff is quite friendly. Definitely recommend this old standby ahead of all the other new Italian spots sprouting up in the Jersey City food scene. Go here first and then decide :)

I live only a few blocks away from this little gem so we’ve been here for dinner a few times and have never been disappointed! It’s a great date spot since the lighting is dim and it’s quite intimate. The food is consistently good as is the service. They have a private room in the back that you can reserve for small parties and they do catering too!

Good food and very nice staff. They have a back room for events/​large parties and gatherings, and accomodated us nicely. The ambiance is a little run down and the outside of the building looks downright terrible, but the food is worth going for!

I’ve been coming here for years. It’s a small homely place with a very pleasing menu. It also has great prices and accommodation for a private party/​business meeting section if reserved ahead of time. The employees and owners are very professional which keeps in line with a wonderful restaurant experience.

We were able to have en early dinner for four without a reservation on Father’s Day. A long, narrow room with a bar and a dozen or so tables with another dining area in the rear that I couldn’t get a good look at.
Here’s the scoop on the experience:
Service — Way too many bodies covering the floor, and it still took almost 10 minutes to get our beverage. The server spoke quickly and, as he took our order, his eyes were darting around and not paying much attention.
Food — The eggplant parmigiana, as it’s called on the menu, is actually rollatini. It was just ok, nothing stand out. Sautéed vegetables served in lieu of pasta were seasoned well but a bit over cooked. The homemade cheese ravioli was tasty, featuring four large, triangular pasta pockets that looked obviously homemade and by hand. Mussels in White Wine Sauce was substantial in its portion with about two dozen mussels in there, and the sauce was good. The same veggies were as the above were served instead of pasta. Fried shrimp was accompanied by a common tartar sauce, lemon, and a side of angel hair. The shrimp were perfectly cooked.
Atmosphere — close quarters, that’s for sure. Dimly lit.
We would go back here, yes… but with the amount of Italian joints around here, it may not be soon.

I eat here more than I should! But it’s a place where we hold many dinner meetings, in which case it’s work related, and therefor necessary and guilt free! LOL! I have a favorite, although many, many dishes served here a delicious!
My favorite is their pasta carbonara– TAKE THE PLUNGE! But you’ve gotta be hungry or a left over craver because portions are large:)
On this visit, I ordered from the specials menu a garlic broiled salmon with broccoli rabe and roasted red potatoes! COMPLETELY neglected all kinds of ‘good table side manners’ and all of the other social constructions that confines women to fitting into a size 2 because I ate the entire entrée! THAT good! Loved, loved, loved it!
Not a dessert person because I like to save my calories for a cosmo, wine or my favorite brown brothers — Jamo & TelleDew! LOL! BUUUUT their tiramisu has got to be made in heaven! It’s a sizable portion and am happy to say that I won’t allow myself the indulgence of finishing the entire serving:)
There is a parking lot across the street and a full bar. They also have a catering room in the back –your buffet or sit down meals remain true to the consistency of flavors as if you were ordering a single entrée — remains the same:)
Service is always very attentive! And the bartenders know their way around the bar!

I see that a lot of people rave about this place. Sadly my experience wasn’t so great. First the surrounding area is a dump, but that can add to the charm… if the food is fabulous. Upon entering the restaurant, the dim lights and outdated décor seemed so gloomy. No tablecloths, cold tables, dated drop ceiling and ugly colored walls. It just didn’t feel like an Italian restaurant should. I was hoping for something a bit more cheerful, perhaps some décor from Italy, classy pictures, some plants & flowers. make it feel like I am in Tuscany.
Moving on, the waiter seem confused and it took him awhile to find himself. Finally when he came to my table, I ordered the chicken Francese and that was disappointing. It was more like chicken in a bowl of soup. Wayyyy too much liquid. That dish is only supposed to have a light bit of sauce on the dish not a bowl of liquid. I asked the waiter why the cook made this wrong. He said, that’s is how they make it. Okayyyyyy then.
I had Tiramisu for dessert. That was another let down. I then asked the waiter why this was made wrong as well. Who puts crappy icing and color birthday sprinkles on top of Tiramisu? If it is made correctly– it does not need anything, it should just stand on its own accord. I posted the photo of it from their own website. You can clearly see what I am talking about.
That was my experience there. Unless they change up that décor and learn to cook and bake correctly, I won’t be back.

Quality Italian food. I had the chicken parm dinner, and it was very good. In all honesty, it wasn’t «blow me away» amazing, but it was def good, and I plan on coming back to try more.
The pasta didn’t taste particularly fresh to me, but I did kind of go at the end of the night so I’ll give them a pass (and again, it was very good overall, so no biggie for the first time),

I really enjoyed my experience at Rita & Joe’s.
Went to the restaurant on a Thursday evening and was so glad that I did.
Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted right away which was great. Unfortunately, and surprisingly, sometimes you walk into a restaurant and you’re not greeted & it’s just awkward! Really sets the tone!
As we were shown to our table, I was pleased by the cleanliness of the restaurant. The restaurant almost has a classic, rustic style with beautiful wooden floors.
We were given warm bread right as we sat down and I really have to give the staff a big thumbs up! I almost felt like we were in the South! Meaning, that the staff was very attentive and accommodating, especially our server. She was a pleasure to work with.
We ordered the calamari salad as an appetizer which was delicious and huge! I thought it was basically the size of an entrée. Easily shared between 3 – 4 people. We also had chicken soup (tasted home-​made!) and a salad! Both were delicious!
We also ordered the «Salmon and Shrimp» on a bed of broccoli rabe. Overall, I thought it was quite tasty. I have had many encounters where, sadly, my salmon is not cooked through properly but they cooked it quite well. It was well seasoned and moist. The shrimp was good too but I thought the name of the dish «Salmon and Shrimp» was a little misleading since the salmon was pretty large (probably 7 ounces) but then there were 3 tiny shrimp next to it. I was envisioning a more even distribution. Also, one of my shrimps was not deveined so that was a bit of a turn off. The broccoli rabe I thought had a buttery taste too.
Additionally, we ordered the steak which was huge! It might of been around 9+ ounces. And it was moist and well seasoned!
They even surprised us with a cookie each after the meal (we were too full to order dessert!). You will definitely get your money’s worth here! And likely will be taking doggy bags home.
All in all, we were very pleased with our experience and will definitely be going back!

This is one of my favorite restaurants in JC. It’s also only 2 blocks from my house!
My fiancé and I love coming here at the spur of the moment. The food is always good and the staff is super nice and attentive. They are only usually crowded when there is a big party which is fine by me!
My favorite dishes include the sausage and peppers appetizer, the lasagna and the chicken Marsala. I’ve tried a lot of the other dishes too and they are also great. This is one of the few places that I can say I’ve never had a bad experience!
Good prices and they give bread with the meal which appeals to my inner glutton. R&Js is one of the few decent spots in the JSQ area and I’m so glad I live close by.
I am practically a regular!