Spirito's

Hands-down the best red sauce I've ever had. I'm in my 40's, and my parents used to come here on dates. This place is an institution, and I've waited in line down the street to get in on a busy Friday night. Very traditional, the ambiance is nothing to write about, but you come here for the food. No butter for your sauce-sopping bread, soda in glorified shot glasses, no-nonsense waitresses, but oh, that sauce.

Place is old school legit Italian. Bad reviews totally miss the point. Hard to distinguish yourself in NJ for Italian food. This place is money.

This is a family favorite. I have been going to Spiritos for almost 40 years. Their red sauce is an institution. Favorite dinner: Garlic Salad, Pizza, Veal Parmesian with Ravioli.

Best sauce. Eggplant parm (I ask for no cheese) is fantastic.

I really wanted to give this place a quarter of a star, but couldn't (and that's being generous!...From the moment I walked in, the place smelled old and dank as if I walked into an unfinished basement, and it was just as dark. But they say don't judge a book by it's cover, right? Well in this case, I should have turned right around and walked out! The tables and booths were made for toddlers, you could barely fit the plates on the tables! I asked the waitress, who by the way is the most unpleasant person I have encountered in some time, for a grilled chicken salad and I was told they don't have grilled chicken, but I could have chicken cutlet and they'll put in on the side of the salad...REALLY?! Then I asked for the tossed salad without onions, and was told it already has the onions in it, which says to me that the salad is about as old as the furniture and the decor! So...I settled for the pizza. BAD choice! I will never set foot in this place again, hell I won't even set foot on the block...Now, somewhat please pass me the Alka Seltzer!!!