Patsy’s Pizzeria – Paterson New Jersey

You’ve got to trust Mod Betty when she recommends Patsy’s, because from the outside it doesn’t look like a place she’d normally go. Indeed, if it were not for the old-fashioned backlit plastic sign with the word Pizzeria on it I would have driven right past this brown corner building in Riverside - a once heavily Italian residential neighborhood of Paterson. But once you step inside this hidden gem you’ll see - and taste - why Mod B sent you here.

Through the nondescript front door you’ll come directly into the tavern, with its beautiful antique back bar. But the back dining room is where you want to be. From the diamond patterned linoleum floor to the small wooden booths, if you look at the vintage photographs lining the wood paneled walls you’ll notice little has changed since the place was opened in 1931 by Patsy (Pasquale) Barbarulo.

Run today by his grandsons Steve and Gary, Patsy’s is famous for thin crust pizza.

Here dough is rolled out and placed in a circular baking pan, giving the pizza a slightly upturned edge and crispy crunch. Pasta, entrees and other old-school Italian classics are on the menu, including their “Racetrack” sub, named because of its popularity as a takeout item for people riding the bus ride to the racetrack back in the day.

Patsy’s opens for lunch Wednesday - Friday and dinner is served every night but Monday when they’re closed altogether. Named one of America’s greatest old-school pizzerias - aren’t you glad you stepped in?

Cash Only

Check out the lamps above the bar - they’re from an old Ground Round restaurant!

No connection to Patsy’s Pizza in NYC