NJ's Best 'Mom & Pop Restaurant' Among the Finest in America

It's nice to walk into a neighborhood restaurant and be greeted by name.

The owners and staff are usually well-known in the community as the glue that keeps the town together.

Get our free mobile app

What is a "Mom and Pop Restaurant?"

It's a small, family-owned business often passed down through generations.

They are anti-chain restaurants and are proud of that distinction.

Unlike chains, mom-and-pops focus on tradition, authenticity, and memorable customer connections.

It's the next best thing to your family's cooking. They use unique recipes that hit different and have a warm atmosphere that can't be duplicated.

Spano's in Pt. Pleasant Beach is one of my favorite mom-and-pop restaurants in New Jersey.

The food is exceptional, but what makes it unique is the owner's hands-on involvement.

He's also the chef and greets every table during busy dinner services. You can tell the quality of his food is crucial to him. He wants to ensure every aspect of your experience at the restaurant reflects his passion and dedication.

YOU'LL ALSO LIKE: Guy Fieri Says These NJ Diners Are the Best in America

For a restaurant to be a true mom-and-pop, the food must be made from scratch with fresh ingredients, many of which are local.

When you go to a chain, you can tell whether food is fresh, mass-produced, or frozen.

Who doesn't feel special when they sit down and the server knows your name, food, and drink order?

This extra level of care creates loyalty, which is the next best advertising to word of mouth.

Community involvement also creates loyalty. The mom-and-pop restaurant is always the spot to step up to cater non-profit events or sponsor local teams.

By dining at mom-and-pops, we support our community by keeping money in town.

So many restaurants excel in authenticity, heart, and quality.

But, according to foodie site Love Food, one eatery in New Jersey does it best.

ALSO READ: The Best Burger in the Nation is from New Jersey

This restaurant says they are all about "food, friends, and family."

Check out Lovefood's review:

You can barely move in New Jersey for traditional restaurants dealing in good old-fashioned Italian American cooking – and Boniello's is one of the best. As the sign on the door says, it's all about food, friends, and family here. There's a generously sized menu packed out with all the classics, from angel hair primavera to linguine with clams. However, fans say you shouldn't miss the chicken vodka sliders: breaded chicken doused in house-made vodka sauce and tucked into garlicky buns.

Bonniello's is in Riverdale and is New Jersey's best "mom-and-pop" restaurant.

Here's a taste of the NJ pizza joints Dave Portnoy has reviewed

Dave Portnoy, commonly known as El Presidente, is the founder of Barstool Sports. Somewhere along the way, he decided to start reviewing local pizzerias, and the concept took off. This isn't the entire list, but it's a small sample to get you started.

Gallery Credit: Joe Votruba

Filed Under: shore facebook