Spano's Ristorante Italiano

The service was awesome and the people who worked our table gave us special attention as they did bring everything to the table hot and fast! The servings were amazing a family style large!! Our meal was delicious with great flavor. We had appetizers, salad, entree and dessert. Many thanks to the staff that works so hard for the community.

Spano's Ristorante Italiano 719 Arnold Ave. Point Pleasant, NJ 08742 Eggplant Balls sampler Brown Butter Mac & Cheese sampler Pasta Fagioli Soup Chicken Parmesan Cappuccino Bread Pudding And Photo of Owner Joe Spano After hearing numerous compliments and praise about this Central Jersey BYOB Italian restaurant, I had to see for myself. The walls are decorated with beautiful family photos. As soon as we were seated, Owner Joe Spano introduced himself and brought us two complimentary appetizer samplers, which were both phenomenal. I hadn't even ordered our meal and already I was in paradise. I thought I was in heaven when I tasted the main course. The chicken parmesan was enormous in size; it could easily feed two people. The homemade sauce had the perfect touch of sweetness while the basil leaf added a nice flavor. The desserts were just as tasty. The cappuccino looked so attractive I could have stared at it all night. It was a nice touch adding raisins to the bread pudding; next time I will request caramel sauce (assuming that is available.) Aside from the excellent meal, the customer service was really decent. The owner and staff are very attentive and they made sure we were taken care of. Owner Joe even posed in a photo with me. This was a priceless experience and I can't wait to return. Reservations are required and I highly recommend reserving a table several weeks in advance because the restaurant is always fully booked! #spanos #italianrestaurant #pointpleasantbeach #chickenparmesan #cappuccino #breadpudding #pastafagioli #njfoodie #locallyownesbusiness #foodreview

This was our first time trying Spanos! I’ll start with the pros, the food was absolutely delicious, portion size was well worth the money, everything was fresh, and the owner complimentary gave us many appetizers. Probably gave them to us, because of their very mid service. Not sure if it was because it was Sunday, but 30 minutes to seat 2 people who had reservations was absolutely crazy! Our waitress was good at times, but she took over 10 minutes to get us the bill. Overall we would definitely go back on a day other than Sunday. I highly recommend this restaurant, you absolutely must try their seafood colossal ravioli!

This may possibly be one of the best Italian restaurants I’ve been to! Joe Spano himself is a good guy and knows how to run a business! Everything that was given to us was amazing and tasted so fresh! Their pastas are handmade so you know you are eating good quality food! I was told many times to try their chicken parm and it did not disappoint! Their sauce is chefs kiss and may be the best I’ve had right next to my own mother’s! You do have to make a reservation as they get pretty packed but the wait is definitely worth it! You won’t be disappointed!

We had an incredible dinner at Spano’s Ristorante Italiano. Our party of 7 was blown away by both the food and the service. Every dish was excellent and the portions were no joke—huge and delicious! Some standouts were the meatballs, stuffed artichoke, cavatelli with corn, the massive veal chop parm, penne vodka, chicken parm, and ravioli. From start to finish, the service was top notch. The hostess was welcoming, our server was attentive, the bus boy was on point, and even the chef came by to check on us. That personal touch really stood out. We’ll definitely be back every time we’re down the shore. Highly recommend! Not the greatest picture but it was more about the experience than taking a picture!

I have been to Spano’s twice and each time was a great experience. The food portions are large delicious and the friendliness from staff is wonderful. We didn’t take pictures of our entrees but remembered to take some of the tiramisu.

I stopped in for dinner with my wife on a Friday evening during our travel without reservations, and the host was able to accommodate us during their dinner rush! Shortly after we sat down, Chef Joseph came over to introduce himself and welcomed us. He followed by sending some complementary appetizers for us to try. I was beyond pleased with the friendly and helpful staff to the delicious authentic Italian dishes. The portions were generous and reasonably priced. I highly recommend trying Spano's. Just make sure you save some room for dessert!

Incredible experience! The food was absolutely delicious and the portions were big enough to take some home and enjoy the next day. The owner/chef stopped at our table and made us feel at home and the service was wonderful. Great atmosphere, great food.. already made my next reservation to return. Spano’s is terrific, don’t miss out!

Best Italian we've had since moving from NY. Atmosphere, service, food, appetizers on the house etc 10/10

Spano's 719 Arnold Ave. Point Pleasant, NJ 08742 Vodka Chicken Parmesan And Full Length Video Reel Appearance: 10/10 Taste: 10/10 I previously posted about this restaurant. I vowed to return for the sister entrée and a live video shoot! Vodka Chicken Parmesan: The serving size of this main entrée was so large that both plates aligned next to each other reached both ends of the table. The two cutlets were smothered in creamy vodka sauce with a bacon strip hidden beneath. The thin coating of melted mozzarella cheese along with the basil leaf was the backbone to this plate. #spanos #spanosristoranteitaliano #vodkachickenparmesan #pointpleasantnj #cornpasta #EggplantBalls #foodreview #familyownedbusiness #byob #ReservationOnly #njfoodie #foodstagram #localspotst

Dinner with friends who described Spano's as " ...one of my bucket list restaurants because they have the best chicken parm in New Jersey" My elevator pitch after eating at Spano's: The chicken parm is good, pasta is fresh and likely more of an attraction, and the portions are huge. 2 large slices of thick chicken cutlets. Cooked perfectly, moist & tender. I had 3 smaller meals from my entree leftovers. But, in the end, it's still just chicken parm and no way better than my mom's - God rest her soul. IMO, my friend over-sold Spano's. I probably would have enjoyed my meal better without the lofty expectations. With his build-up and the summer rush to get a reservation a few weeks in advance, the experience had a high bar to meet. Too high. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my meal. My chicken Carmela is basically a chicken parm with slices of eggplant and a handful of sliced mushrooms between the cheese and the meat. For me, the eggplant worked, but, the mushrooms didn't. Next time, I would just get the plain chicken parm, or more likely just get one of the fresh pasta dishes. Ideally, in the off season to avoid the crowds and game of reservations tag phone calls.

It is very difficult for us to put into words just how wonderful the authentic Italian creations (in large bountiful positions) of Joe Spano truly are! As I've mentioned in past reviews, my wife Marie never (in 34 years) wanted to eat Italian food out, given her own grandmother's and mother's recipes handed-down to her. Then, a few years back, during our frequent visits to PPB, we were lucky enough to arrive at the front door of the BEST Italian food fine restaurant on the Northeast coast, in NJ, and including where we currently are from (NYC Staten Island!) Again, I am a wordy fellow, and we are both quite the foodies, however, nothing in our extensive food travels out together even holds a candle to Joe Spano's of PPB on 719 Arnold Avenue. When we visit PPB, with hopes in 3 or 4 years of retiring in the area, we ensure that we have made pre-visit reservations of at least 3 evenings during our 7 to 12 day stay. The only thing is we need to scatter said reservations to alternate every other day or two, otherwise we shall surely explode! (But what a way to go!:) The portions are huge, without sacrificing any small measure of quality or traditional flavor blends that Joe has brought to this wonderful place, along with his talented son, Frankie, from years past of historic regional delights. The service is outstanding as well, with a hard-working team of employees that do all that they can to make every dining experience top-notch and unforgettable! His pasta is all homemade, fresh, and with a blend of incredible sauces and flavors that just make every bite heavenly. They are food artists, creating masterpieces that are memorable. We eat a portion of every dish and then pack-up intentional leftovers to enjoy the next day! His seafood is fresh and flavorful beyond measure in a seafood focused town with lots of restaurants, but none better. His steaks, chops, seasonal Specials are all worth exploring. We are NEVER disappointed and again, we've visited and order extensively a myriad of times. Our recent, latest visit, was combined July 4th and for my Birthday. They showered us with great and welcoming hospitality, including sone very special items like the crab cake stuffed mushrooms, the tender zucchini flowers filled with sweet ricotta and seared golden brown with his incredible marinara sauce. Once more, my Marie always had to have her own marinara till she discovered what a sauce wizard Joe and his team are! His baked Manicotti, rigatoni, penne vodka, Spano's Feast, etc, are all some of the very best possible fresh pasta offerings anywhere. Even his desserts are homemade and fanominal, you haven't had Italian cheesecake or traditional olive oil cake, till you have tasted the Spano version! As I write this, my palate is awaiting out next visit before heading home.

This is some of the best Italian food I've had in my life and I've been to Italy and all over. The food is always perfectly cooked, top notch quality, served piping hot, and giant portions!! One plate is 3-4 meals for me and I get excited to eat the leftovers. Their fettuccine alla Franco is a standout. Fresh wide noodles are drenched in a creamy red sauce and it's stuffed with tons of giant juicy, perfectly cooked shrimp, tender chicken chunks and mushrooms galore. Top it with the Parmesan cheese from the table and get ready for your eyes to roll in the back of your head! The eggplant rollotini has the thinnest slices of eggplant wrapped around a giant mass of fluffy ricotta cheese and topped with marinara sauce. They are bursting to hold all the cheese inside! It's served with a side (we got broccoli rabe for a $6 upcharge). Broccoli rabe is slightly bitter, earthy and packed with garlic slices and a generous 1/2 of a lemon to squeeze on top. Previous visit I had a seafood pasta and chicken Parmesan that were also fabulous and huge. They serve you complimentary appetizers like meatballs or eggplant polenta balls, salad (Jersey tomatoes and basil or fresh corn and tomatoes and cucumbers) and fresh baked bread with fresh chopped garlic and olive oil AND entrees come with a choice of soup or Caesar or house salad. All of these things are fresh and flavorful. Their Caesar dressing is addictive!! The service is warm and attentive. The owner comes around and greets his guests and shares that classic Italian hospitality and love of life and food. I love him!!! I don't live in Jersey anymore but when I'm here this is a must stop. It's the meal I can't stop thinking about until I return. 100/10 I highly recommend!

We heard about this place from a Facebook group raving about their chicken parm, and when I checked Yelp, it seemed to be the perfect place! We've been looking for great restaurants around here since I just moved from Northern NJ. Saturday night we arrived a few minutes early and were seated immediately. It's a really cute place, but it was incredibly loud. We could barely hear each other across our small table. We were greeted by the chef, and were given a couple of free appetizers. The eggplant balls were delicious, but the corn salad, not so much. Nothing Italian about it, and it was more like a dish brought to a picnic potluck. The special of fried squash blossoms was just okay. Filling was bland but sauce was good. Clams casino were not so great. Salads were good, but they brought out our hot appetizers before we even finished our salads! I ordered the veal chop Valdostana. He ordered the pasta Franco. The pasta with my meal (rigatoni) was hard, thick, and probably the worst pasta I have ever experienced in any restaurant. For a place that advertises home made pasta, it was a complete disappointment. The veal was good, and the sauce was delicious! His dish was good, but not great. Portions are huge, but we'd prefer smaller portions of better quality. Desserts didn't really entice us, so we ended the meal with cappuccinos. We had lots of leftovers. Pasta leftovers sadly went in the trash. The veal leftovers were reheated and it was pretty good. Sorry that this review disagrees with most of the others, but for a restaurant with appetizers in the $20+ range and entrees in the $35-$50+ range, we definitely can't recommend it. We really wanted to love it.

If you're visiting Point Pleasant, you need to come eat here, plain and simple! You're going to need a reservation and would recommend doing so in advance to make sure you get the date and time slot you want! It's also BYOB. We came here on a Thursday evening for a specific occasion we were celebrating, so we got seated in their private dining area in the back (think small room decorated with posters of Frank Sinatra and whiskey bottles with a circular booth). The service was absolutely phenomenal from start to finish- numerous complimentary appetizers (including sun dried tomato pasta and pizza bread) and a vegetarian friendly menu. You can't go wrong with any of their pasta dishes here!

We decided to do to go here and were impressed with their takeout value. The portions were huge. We enjoyed everything we got with the potato and shishito peppers being a standout. The pork chop was still so tender after being transferred. This place is old school and only takes reservations over the phone which is then written down in a book. Next time we will for sure have to plan ahead to try their chicken parm fresh.

Spanos Italian Restaurant - A Beloved Jersey Shore Gem If you're looking for old-school Italian comfort food served with heart and heritage, look no further than Spanos Italian Restaurant in Point Pleasant Beach. This iconic spot has long been a favorite among locals and visitors alike -- and after just one visit, it's easy to see why they've earned a spot on the Best Italian Restaurants in NJ list. We kicked things off with a variety of small plates that were as comforting as they were flavorful. The lemon orzo was bright and refreshing, while the eggplant meatballs and veal osso bucco rice balls were rich, tender, and bursting with old-world flavor. On a chilly May evening, the pasta fagioli warmed us from the inside out -- the perfect bowl of soul-soothing soup. The Caesar salad stood out thanks to its bold, creamy dressing, and the stuffed artichoke was exactly what you'd hope for from a traditional Italian kitchen: hearty, garlicky, and unforgettable. Then came the entrees -- and wow, were they generous. The chicken scarpariello, marinated for three days, was so tender it was practically falling off the bone. The flounder oreganata was delicately cooked and beautifully crisped with that signature oreganata crust. We also enjoyed pillowy ravioli, the ultra-popular chicken parm, and a nostalgic plate of spaghetti and meatballs that tasted like nonna made it. To top off the evening, we toasted with homemade Sambucca shots and indulged in dessert. The cheesecake was rich and creamy, but it was the olive oil cake that stole the show -- I'm still dreaming about it, especially that cloud-like homemade whipped cream on the side. As if the experience couldn't get any better, Spanos has a merch shop next door where you can grab a souvenir or represent your favorite Italian spot in style. You can also bring a taste of Spanos home by picking up their incredible sauce, sold at Delicious Orchards. Spanos isn't just a restaurant -- it's a tradition. Once you go, you'll find yourself longing to return again and again. It's everything we love about classic Italian dining in New Jersey -- and then some. The service is top notch and so attentive - Joe Spano personally visits each table and his warm personal is so welcoming and inviting.

Normally for my birthday, my wife makes me chicken parmigiana, my favorite. But this year, I decided to do something a little different. Go out for chicken parmigiana! I read a review raving that Spano's did an amazing chicken parm, so that was the pick, and did not disappoint! The owner, Joe Spano, greeted and welcomed us before sending out 2 appetizers on the house. We brought a bottle of wine since it's BYO. The chicken parmigiana potion was HUGE, so we each brought home a full meal. However, we saved room for dessert and shared their olive oil cake with fresh whipped cream. Amazing and went perfectly with fresh brewed coffee. Such a cool throwback type restaurant, so gladded we tried it!

Back to Spano's just about a year to the day from our first visit. But this time, we all wanted to try different dishes (it was all about the chicken parmigiana on our last visit). I went with the Seafood Fra Diavolo, my wife ordered the shrimp parmigiana, and my Mother In Law had the lasagna. Complimentary appetizers were outstanding again, everything was on point. I was very happy with my meal, but I felt my wife's shrimp parmigiana was the winner of the night, it was a Homer Run. Super generous portion sizes also, my Mother In Law brought over her half of her lasagna home. Stellar service again, the staff at Spano's is A#1. This classic "Old School" Italian restaurant is as good as it gets, I can't heap enough praise about our experiences at Spano's, the place is Top Notch in my book.

LOVED THIS PLACE! First of all welcomed immediately by the owner, so humble and respectful! You recieve free apps to try as soon as you sit, as well as being greeted by amazing staff! Super clean, well decorated place, and the food was great. I loved our server Joe and he guided us right through the menu. Just heads up it's BYOB, we'll know for next time!

Old-fashioned Italian food, approved by my very particular mother from Brooklyn. The staff was accommodating and efficient, and the owner Joe Spano is as welcoming and warm as they come. A signature three complimentary appetizers showcases the generosity of the restaurant, and is just a classy touch with some creative dishes. The pasta fagioli soup had a richness from a cream added to the tomato broth, which is full of homemade pasta. Then the veal parmigiana tasted like a homemade cutlet, seasoned nicely with egg and breadcrumb. There is a premium mozzarella atop, and the red sauce is balanced extremely well. Spano's lets patrons choose from various styles for their side pasta, and the rigatoni alla vodka is a Southern Jersey style of peas and pancetta. The rigatoni itself were thick, textured, and cooked al dente. A bread pudding topping off the meal was large, filling, full of flavor from golden raisins and Nutella, and the house-made whipped cream is the perfect accompaniment to the desserts. "Buona fortuna," indeed.

Spano's is hands down the best italian restaurant in the state. They treat you like family and the food is just out of this world. You literally cannot go wrong with anything on the menu, from homemade pasta to fresh daily specials, and in house made desserts- you will never leave Spano's hungry. The portions are extremely generous, be prepared to have some leftovers to take home and enjoy the next day. I would highly recommend the shrimp molly, any of the parm meals (shrimp parm, chicken parm, veal parm) and the olive oil cake. All of the entrees come with either a soup or salads and fresh homemade pasta. The restaurant itself is a great vibe, you really feel like family when you're here. I truly could not recommend this place more. If you are ever in the state, you need to make your way down to Spano's. Other things to know: Spano's is BYOB and reservation only.

I enjoyed my anniversary dinner with my family at Spano's Reservations are a must Plenty of street parking available Old school red sauce Italian with the wood paneling and pictures on the wall BYOB. Packed house on a Wednesday night. Service was very good but I felt the dinner was rushed. I would have liked the meal to be spread out a bit more. You are greeted with water for the table and Italian bread, pizza bread and their eggplant meatballs before you order. Wonderful touch. I ordered the Spedini alla Romano which was ok, freshly made, the sauce was thicker than I am accustomed to but the flavors were there. I would skip it next time and try a different appetizer. The Vodka Chicken Parm was huge and had layers of Prosciutto and fresh melted mozzarella which was excellent. The veal parmigiana was a large portion with 3 large cutlets, very good as was the chicken parmigiana. We did not have dessert. I will return and ask the waiter to give us some time between courses.

Again! This is such a nice Italian restaurant- at home atmosphere. You need a reservation even off season. Service is spectacular! Food came pretty fast, too. We always have a doggy bag since portions are more than generous - my husband got seafood fra diavolo- as usual ! Huge lobster tail tops the dish off. He eats it for at least two days. I got arancini w a house salad. Byob. Home made pasta :) Free parking in lot across the street -

I have so many great things to say that if I wrote everything, it would be way too long for anyone to read! I will say I got warm bread with garlic and olive oil to start & not 1 but TWO complimentary appetizers (I think the owner always does this but changes it up... We had Pizza bread and eggplant meatballs), the staff and owner are the nicest people & THE FOOD IS SO FRESH AND UNBELIEVABLY DELICIOUS. The portion sizes are hugeeeee and every order comes with a soup which changes depending on the day or salad. Lucky for me the soup of the day was lobster bisque and it was to die for!!! My dish was the Tre Madre, every bite was so good, I couldn't believe it. My friend had the penne vodka which she absolutely loved. You have to try this place for yourself. While we were there, there were people calling to make reservations for Septemberrrrr so if you're going on a weekend try to call in and reserve before hand. I went on a Monday and had dinner without a reservation. Almost forgot... I also got a dessert which I didn't have space for but somehow managed to finish because it was so good.. 100 stars from me!

Was very nervous it Spanos wouldn't live up to the hype, but it absolutely does! The chicken parm they're known for was as good as I've heard. My party all enjoyed every appetizers and entree. Tables were a bit tight, but if that's the only complaint you can come up with you're doing pretty good. Definitely recommend Spanos

I visited my sister in NJ this summer and she set aside a reservation for us at Spano's! The hospitality and service was amazing. They're so friendly and family-oriented there. Joe and the staff made our dinner experience great and the food was delicious. Would love to come back next time I visit!

How what a great dinner it was amazing I had a huge portion of lobster diavolo it was insane. Lobster tail mussels clams scallops shrimp with linguine and a spicy marinara . They give you so much for free before. Wife had the cod special she loved it. Parking on street. Have to make reservations. Place is packed at 4 pm. If in the area there's no where else to eat.

Top notch Italian, from bread to entrée s. The meal started with eggplant fritters, on the house, and they were delicious. The owner (Joe Spano) checks on everyone personally every so aften, which really impressed me. I Ordered a Caesar salad, which was excellent, and the wife had corn chowder, which was very very good. * My Entrée chicken parm , very good * Wife's entree stuffed flounder, very good, however it wasnt exactly her thing. She regrets not ordering Francaise or Parm. No reflection on the restaurant, it was very good. Pasta sides with vodka sauce, excellent. And a piece of Olive Oil Cake for desert was on the house as well. Very good, lemony with a sklight hint of olive. We will return absolutley.

We had an exceptional meal from start to finish. As soon as we were seated, our server promptly arrived to introduce herself and open our wine. Shortly after, Joe Spano himself stopped by to greet us and let us know appetizers (on the house) were on the way--what a personal touch! Within minutes, three delightful dishes arrived: pizza bread, cavatappi with spinach and breadcrumbs in a rich, flavorful sauce, and eggplant meatballs in a perfectly balanced tomato sauce with just a hint of sweetness. Every bite was delicious! Since Spano's pasta is made fresh daily, I couldn't resist ordering more for my entrée. I went with the Pasta Tre Madre--a symphony of flavors featuring generous chunks of lobster, chicken, prosciutto, and shrimp, all sautéed with artichoke hearts and mushrooms in a creamy pink sauce over linguine. It was, hands down, one of the best pasta dishes I've ever tasted. My husband ordered the Seafood Fiesta, which had a similar theme with shrimp, scallops, lump crab meat, and plum tomatoes in a light cream sauce over angel hair pasta. He loved his dish just as much as I loved mine! And the best part--we had plenty of leftovers to savor for the next couple of nights. Our friends ordered the fall-off-the-bone Osso Buco with creamy polenta and the Chicken Parmigiana, both of which were equally impressive and perfectly prepared. Everything came with a choice of soup or salad, and we also shared a side of broccoli rabe, which was tender and tasty, though a tad salty. To top off the meal, we shared the Nutella bread pudding for dessert, served with ice cream. It was indulgent, decadent, and just the right size for the four of us. We practically licked the bowl clean--it's definitely a dessert worth craving! The atmosphere here is lively and inviting, with a charming, old-school Italian vibe. The walls are adorned with family and patron photos that give the space a cozy, nostalgic feel. We made our reservation three months in advance, and I can confidently say it was well worth the wait!

this place is reservation only, and byob. Greeted by the owner, he is super friendly and welcoming offering free appetizers like eggplant balls, pizza bread, and this pasta dish and they also give fresh bread. We split the chicken penne vodka parm with penne vodka and a caesar salad. Everything was delicious, big in portion, homemade which was some of the best Italian food i've ever had. I'd definitely come back again, you gotta check this out

I really have no idea where all the rave reviews are coming from. This is a typical, old school, Jersey red sauce joint and not in a good way. The menu is huge, which is the first clue that they may be overreaching. We were seated on the covered patio out back which was nice. They brought out a complimentary amuse bouche courtesy of Joe Spano who I assume is the owner. It was some eggplant meatballs in sauce. They were fine. The complimentary bread was good and they served it with a dish of olive oil mixed with garlic and oregano. That was a nice touch. For my entree I ordered the veal parm with a side of potato croquettes and a Caesar salad. The salad was only ok. The veal was a little tough and the sauce was mid. Not terrible, but not the best tasting. It was kind of one dimensional. My daughter ordered the gnocchi and it wasn't good. Again, basic, boring sauce. She says the frozen Trader Joe's we get at home is better. My husband ordered the lasagna and said it was also only ok. The service was friendly. But this meal was not worth the $100 we paid for it. The only upside was that the portions were HUGE.

We were there about a week ago for my wife's birthday. The staff were excellent and friendly. The FREE appetizers were delicious as were the dinners. I had the chicken parm. (Delicious) We had some specific needs for our gluten free guests and they accompanied us with pleasure. Will definitely be back!

Excellent Italian food and service Walked in, sat down a lot of complementary dishes, came out for appetizers very professional

Spanos is an absolutely awesome restaurant! From the service to the food to the sambuca at the end of the meal this place checks every box. The portions are so big you will always have lunch the next day and the food is great. The Lobster Cavatoppi pasta dish is loaded with lobster and we get it every time we come

We have been going to Spano's for years. I recently got lucky with a reservation last night for my birthday. You feel welcome as soon as you sit, the owner Joe starts you off with complimentary samples. He greets every table that comes in. That is what a family restaurant is all about. We had rice balls to start. I ordered Shrimp scampi that was absolutely delicious. For dessert we had Tiramisu and Carmella's Nutella bread pudding. It was so delicious I couldn't stop eating it. When we left we were so full that we weren't planning to eat for a week lol. I will always go back to Spano's. Food and service is always top notch.

The food and the service were excellent. We could not believe the portion sizes. The wait staff was extremely professional and attentive. We were looking for a good restaurant that wasn't just another chain. The atmosphere was great. No sports TVs blaring in the background. The chef actually came to our table to bring a special appetizer. As delicious as the food was, the was no way either of us was able to eat the the entire entree. Will definitely be back.

The BEST Italian restaurant at the Jersey Shore!! Everything was incredible. Food, service, welcoming atmosphere. Coming from NY, this place does NOT disappoint.

The food was excellent, anything we ordered. I can't imagine food being any better and it's always a treat going to Spano's. Was fortunate enough to go there with my Mom and Brother. We ordered 2 appetizers which were amazing- the stuffed bread with mozzarella and the Risotto balls. I forget what each of us got for dinner but it was equally as delicious. This place hits it out of the park.

Been hearing about this place for years. We went as a party of six, took a month to get a reservation and was offered either 4pm or 8:30pm on a Monday. We went with the 4pm. The place was very nice, decorated very old school Italian-American decor. The staff was nice, but we never were greeted by the owner. We sat at 4pm and by 5pm the place was packed and you'd think it was a Saturday night! Ok, I'll cut to the chase. I don't get the fantastic ratings this place gets. I mean, the food was OK but not fantastic or amazing or the best I ever had. I'm only speaking for myself. I thought the complimentary eggplant balls were nice, the orzo swimming in cheese sauce was fair, and the pizza bread was "eh". I didn't care for the olive oil and crusty bread at all. The salad was ok,nothing out of the ordinary, just a basic salad. Now for the main course... The "best chicken park in New Jersey", well to me it wasn't the best. The chicken was way too thick, the sauce was pretty bland, but the mozzarella was good. The side of cavatelli was!not good at all. The pasta was way undercooked and the sauce was very bland. I didn't get the impression that the pasta was "homemade". So, would I go again? Probably not. I get better chicken parm at my local place and there's many other places in NJ which I would say are way better!

After reading so much about Spano's online, I was very eager to try this restaurant out over the winter season. We were able to secure reservations for early January about three weeks ago. Upon arrival, we were seated and served complimentary apps, water, crunchy bread and garlicky olive oil with no time at all. The service is top notch. Each member of staff is attentive, polite and friendly. Joe Spano came over to greet our party immediately, making us feel welcome. We got additional apps, calamari and the spiedini, both were fantastic. We were full after the apps but I still thoroughly enjoyed the seafood fra diavolo. The seafood portions are extremely generous compared to similar restaurants/prices. My fiancé enjoyed his chicken parm too which was big enough for three meals. I can't wait to come back and dine again. Thank you Mr.Spano and team for a wonderful evening!

I absolutely adore this Italian Restaurant! It has completely spoiled me for any other Italian dining establishments. I have no desire to visit any other Italian restaurant after experiencing this gem. It is, without a doubt, my top choice for dining out. As soon as you take a seat, you are treated to an array of fresh, high-quality dishes served by Joe, the owner. He warmly greets you, introduces himself, and generously serves you his special dishes "on the house". Each one has been a delightful surprise. The pasta is freshly made daily, and all the sauces are homemade. Undeniably, this is hands down THE BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN NJ.

We hadn't been back to Spano's in years. Based on the rave reviews, we decided to go back and celebrate a couple of birthdays. The restaurant was packed- that didn't come as a surprise. What did come as a surprise was the several hiccups and faux pas coming from the kitchen. At least the service was friendly. Appetizers Grilled octopus- if it wasn't for the chewy octopus, it would have been excellent Entrees- Chilean sea bass- the portion was small and looked like a poor piece of flesh. Should not have left the kitchen that way Gnocchi - it looked like it had sat for a bit Chicken Parmesan- served tepid and sauce was average Butternut squash ravioli- kitchen forgot this entree so we all waited to eat. When it came out- it was undercooked Mafalde pasta w shrimp - this was delicious - no complaints Dessert Cannoli - cream was very off- did not attempt to eat Gelato- average I hate to even write this as I understand restaurants have "off nights" once in a while. To his credit, Joe Spano did acknowledge our issues. He gave our friends a gift certificate and it was appreciated. Unfortunately, 4 out of the 6 entrees fell short along with the other issues. They will continue on very well without us.

Friends of ours have talked up Spanos for years so we had to see what the hype was about and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The restaurant has a warm inviting atmosphere! Joe Spano himself came over to welcome us! The food was amazingly well done and the service was great! We had to wait a while to get a table, but it was well worth it! Can't wait to go back!

First visit to Spanos and it's hands down my new favorite restaurant. Top notch service and exceptional food. I had the crab stuffed salmon which was beyond delicious wife had scallop dish which she simply decribed as excellent. BYO which is nice and some complimentary apps which is a very nice touch. We will certainly be back. Reserve well ahead of time as they book out weeks ahead of time for obvious reasons.

If you want real Italian food this is the place to go growing up in NYC I thought I had eaten at the best Italian restaurants then a friend told me to go Spianos and he was right great food and service and the selections are all first rate.To add class the owner comes to each table to say hi.Try it and you will love it.

Spano's was an amazing experience. Great food and huge portions in a traditional dining experience. The staff works extremely hard, Cant wait to go back!

Great owner Great food Chicken parm , Veal parm , Homemade pasta , Desserts a must try !

My wife and I traveled 45 minutes to enjoy the great food at Spano's. It's been about two years since we last ate here, and we were overdue for a visit. We had a 5pm reservation and when we walked in, every table was taken by the 4pm crowd. We waited a while until a table was available. No problem, we chatted with people also waiting. We were seated and immediately a basket of warm fresh baked bread was set on the table. We added olive oil to the plate of freshly chopped garlic and finished the bread quickly. Complimentary eggplant polenta balls in sauce, plates of cut tomatoes and cucumbers and one of freshly cut corn was presented. We ordered the house salad and dressing. We both ordered the eggplant parmigiana, I had ziti and my wife had spinach. There was so much food that we took it home and have enjoyed it the last two nights. Spano's is an amazing Italian restaurant with outstanding food and service.

Oh my gosh, where to start with this place?! I made reservations for this place for a weekday months in advance. You need to have reservations to come here. You cannot walk in as soon as you walk in you have an old school feel. When you go to your table the owner, Joe, comes and greets you. Shakes your hand and introduces himself, and then brings over some appetizers. The tomatoes were some of the best tomatoes I've ever eaten in my whole entire life and I am not a huge fan of tomatoes. There are eggplant meatballs, which are very unique and tasty. I could have eaten more. For our appetizer we had the zucchini flour special, which tasted just like the ones that we had in Italy. The salad that they gave you that comes with your entrée is so fresh and the lettuce was very crisp and had some more tomatoes on it along with other vegetables. My husband had the Caesar salad, which was also really good. We were already so stuffed and we haven't even had our entrées yet. I ordered the chicken Parm because I've heard a lot of things online and this is the best chicken Parm in New Jersey. The chicken Parm was very good. It was a little bit on the thicker side for my liking. There's nothing wrong with it. It was very good, but it was my least favorite out of the four that we ordered. The side of pasta it came with was so fresh. Some of the best I've ever had. The seafood dishes were outstanding. There were many pieces of seafood and the sauce was delicious. We all had leftovers to bring home. We wanted to look at the dessert menu and order something but we were just too stuffed ! We are already looking at the calendar to figure out when to call back and make a reservation to go back with some friends and family.

We were a table of 8 last night. We were greeted right away by the owner as we were escorted to our table. Not only was the food delicious, the service was top notch!! Our server was always keeping our table cleared of used dishes, any thing we needed was brought to us promptly and she was so friendly. All of our meals were delicious and abundant. I definitely recommend this restaurant.

Food is like diner food, always rushing you to get out. Also sitting almost on top of others.

I've been trying to make a reservation for weeks and finally got a spot 3 weeks out. I had read amazing reviews of this restaurant especially about its hospitality, which was 1000% accurate. Chef Spano came around to greet customers and provide a sample of their focaccia bread and bruschetta. Both were impeccable. I ordered the ravioli florentine and the gnocchi pomodoro. Both tasted very fresh. The only downside was too much red sauce in both pasta dishes. It was overwhelming. I missed eating the olive oil cake because I was so full from the entrees but will have to come back to try that. Overall, I didn't feel rushed at all and service and food were amazing. Note: There's street parking and a parking lot available down the street from the restaurant.

I don't know what took us so long to discover Spano's! I'm not a big fan of heavy Italian dishes, but after trying the amazing eggplant meatballs this evening (compliments of Joe Spano), I thought I'd give the homemade pasta a try. I ordered cavetelli with burrata. My husband had the seafood fra divolo. Both were phenomenal. The burrata was soft & creamy. Pastas were cooked perfectly. The seafood was fresh and flavorful. We had the long hots (with potato's & sausage) for appetizer, which was also terrific. Dessert was homemade cheesecake with homemade whipped cream on the side. Perfect balance of sweetness & creamy. The cappuccino didn't disappoint either. Joe Spano made his rounds and chatted with every patron. The rest of the staff couldn't have been kinder or more efficient. One of the best dining experiences... Can't wait to go back!

This place is the best! We were stuffed before we even received our meals. It's a classic old school Italian restaurant with delicious food and excellent service! It's wheelchair accessible!

I finally went to Spanos. The NJ Chix Parm facebook page is like a cult of Spanos. First the reservation system is horrible. You call and leave a message and then they have to call back to confirm. This took multiple messages before it worked. We had to get an 8:30pm for 6 people reservation on a Sat Night 2 months in advance. When we arrived place was packed and was about 15 mins behind. Meal started off great with pizza bread and eggplant balls - which are complementary to all and were great. However, was not a fan of the vinaigrette type Ceasar salad. Got the world-famous Chicken Parm. It was decent. But nothing special. Cutlets were juicy, but very little cheese. So little, it was translucent. The pastas are supposedly all home made. However, my side pasta was DRY and had hard clumps in it. Must sit under heat lamp. Everyone else had a pasta dish, not one person liked their pasta dish. We also ordered 3 desserts to share. Nutella bread pudding, Canoli and cheesecake - all homemade. Weird Canoli - filling was savory, like a ravioli, not sweet at all. Bread pudding was horrible. Cheesecake was dense and hard - reminds me of Juniors Cheesecake - maybe some like it, but I have never met anyone who likes Junior Cheesecake when they eat it. It is that thing that everyone is excited to have and then makes a face and stops eating. However- the portions are humongous. Personally - I think that is the attraction. I ate dinner and got 2 big lunches out of my meal. Wont return, I value quality over quantity.

When you want to "treat" yourself to the best, go to Spano's. Food is always 5 star and Joe is the best. Makes you feel special when he brings around some small samples. Portions are generous so you get to enjoy your take home the next day. Place is small and tables close together which makes it quite sociable.