Welcome to Papa Joe's Italian Eatery
Welcome to Papa Joe's Italian Eatery, a cherished gem located at 485 Spencerport Rd in Rochester, NY. This beloved establishment serves up generous portions of classic Italian-American dishes, from savory Veal Marsala to creamy Carbonara, each crafted with authentic recipes and fresh ingredients. The warm atmosphere and friendly staff create an inviting dining experience, making it a popular choice among locals. Guests rave about the hearty servings and flavorful specialties, like the Chicken French and cheesy Arancini. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a casual dinner, Papa Joe's delivers not just meals, but memorable experiences that keep customers returning for more.
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485 Spencerport Rd, Rochester, NY 14606, United States485 Spencerport Rd, Rochester, NY 14606, United States Hotline: +1 585-247-7920
Welcome to Papa Joe's Italian Eatery, a charming slice of Italy nestled in the heart of Rochester, NY. Located at 485 Spencerport Rd, this eatery has become a beloved staple for both locals and visitors seeking authentic Italian-American cuisine. Whether you're stopping by for a casual family dinner or a special celebration, Papa Joe's offers a warm and inviting atmosphere that makes every meal feel like a home-cooked affair.
The moment you walk through the doors, the enticing aromas of garlic bread, marinara sauce, and simmering seafood greet you, setting high expectations for your dining experience. Each dish is crafted with care, showcasing a menu filled with seafood specialties, hearty pasta dishes, and family-friendly options. Standout items include the Frutti Di Mare, featuring scallops, shrimp, calamari, and whole clams enveloped in a delicate white wine sauce served over capellini, offering a taste that transports you straight to the Italian coast.
For pasta lovers, the Carbonara Romana and Tortellini Vodka are not to be missed. The carbonara, while a modern twist on the classic, boasts indulgent pancetta and homemade sausage stirred in a creamy sauce that leaves guests savoring each bite. Customers rave about the generous portions, often leading to delicious leftovers. As one patron mentioned, "they feed you!"
Papa Joe's has an undeniable charm that evokes nostalgia, praised not only for its flavorful offerings but also for its attentive service. Reviewers consistently highlight the friendly staff, and many have mentioned how the bustling environment only adds to the vibrant dining experience. "We were greeted with smiles," a loyal customer shared, reflecting the genuine hospitality that defines Papa Joe's.
Children are also considered here, with a kids’ menu offering favorites like ravioli and spaghetti & meatballs. This welcoming approach makes Papa Joe's the perfect destination for family outings, gatherings, or even catering for special events, as evidenced by satisfied customers who have celebrated milestones with their culinary delights.
In essence, Papa Joe's Italian Eatery is more than just a restaurant—it's a community hub where food, family, and tradition come together. Whether it's your first visit or a return trip, each meal here promises not just satisfaction, but an experience filled with warmth and flavor. So the next time you're yearning for a taste of Italy in Rochester, remember Papa Joe's; delicious memories await!
Went here for dinner on a Saturday night, with a reservation at 6:00. We arrived on time and were seated right away, which is always a plus. Our server was friendly but VERY busy as the restaurant was essentially a full house. We placed an order for the fried calamari and were both very happy with it. The calamari could have been browned a touch more but that's honestly just nitpicking on my part. We also both got the Italian Wedding Soup which was to die for! My mother ordered the chicken Parmesan and I ordered the carbonara. As a note, this is NOT a traditional carbonara...it's basically an Alfredo. Still, everything was delicious. My mother got not one but two full sized chicken cutlets. The food was excellent, but I am marking a point down for service as they are so busy they couldn't effectively serve their tables. We were there for over an hour and I only got a single refill on my drink. All that being said, we will DEFINITELY come back to Papa Joe's! The food is excellent and they FEED YOU! We both had large doggy bags!
A great old-style authentic Italian American restaurant. Went here for the first time on a random Wednesday night, and you know a place is good when they are slammed and the parking lot is full on a random week night. We ordered a bottle of wine for the table and garlic cheese bread to start. My whole family loves to try chicken French everywhere we go, so we all ordered that and a chicken parm for the table just to try. Both are massive portions and very good! Highly recommend this place. Portions are huge, food is great, atmosphere is a classic.
From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with smiles. The place smelled wonderful. And we were not disappointed. The waitress was helpful, and the young man who helped was also knowledgeable. Some of us tried new things, and one of us had their favorite. We are already planning our next date back.
We didn't know about this great restaurant until someone gave us a gift card in 2018. Since then, whether dining as a large group with our family or as a couple, our experience is consistently top notch for both food and service. Last night we ordered rack of lamb, seafood special, cheesy garlic bread, arancini and riesling. Wonderful, well prepared food all the way around. The only riesling on the menu was very good. With a nearly full to capacity dining area service was exceptional. Our water, drinks and appetizer were brought out quickly and our dinner arrived shortly after we finished our salad. The service alone sets this place apart from most restaurants. They checked in on us and others around us frequently. The employee bussing tables and our waitress are clearly hard workers who care about their job and how they do it. Kudos.
We had a lot of pressure to pick the best caterer for our wedding reception, and we couldn’t think of a better place than Papa Joe’s! Shout out to Sal who was so incredibly kind and easy to work with. Everything was delivered on time and set up perfectly without any issues. My family has ordered from Papa Joe’s many times in the past, and it was always top notch food and service. Thank you all for such an amazing meal and overall experience, our guests loved the food.
Fantastic Italian food. Very rich and flavorful. Excellent tripe appetizer, and the regular portions are large. Great to place to go with friends who enjoy Italian food. My only suggestion would be a craft of water on each table so the server doesn't have to run for it.
We had an amazing experience at Papa Joe's. The food was great and the portions are huge. This is so nice considering portions at many restaurants have gotten so small. Our waitress was so sweet and accommodating. We would definitely come back and will very soon! Also they take reservations which was huge for us being a large party on a Friday night!
My wife and I came here for a special occasion, and got a reservation easily. We were seated promptly and our server, Sally was very nice and attentive. She was knowledgeable about our food choices, made good suggestions and personally attentive to us while we waited for our food. Our food was fresh, hot, and timely considering that the food is prepared by the dish. Attentive attendants kept our water filled and plates clear continuously and brought over more bread. Sally took time to speak with us and offered dessert and was truly apologetic for not having a particular after dinner cordial that I had requested. Totally enjoyable meal. I’d recommend this restaurant to anyone.