Going to NJ this weekend. Heard they have best Italian food outside of Italy. Where can I go for some nice homey Italian food with red sauce(gravy)?

I'm betting you are not Italian. Any self respecting Italian knows that Red Sauce is typical of Southern Italina cooking. Northern Italian, as your message title implies, features very little tomato based sauce.

So, whaddya want lady?

I want red sauce & lots of it.
Thanks

You need to specify what part of NJ you'll be in - specifically which town or county. There are so many good Italian restaurants in NJ that more definition is needed.

I'm guessing this is a smart-ass attempt at a mock of people from NJ based on your perception from watching the Sopranos. Let me explain something, it's a tv show. Yes, there is the typical "fat, loud Italian guy with the big haired wife" stereo-type (just as every region has their stereotypes) but most of us are pretty normal. Some of us have even managed to go to college and grad school and have nice respectable careers.

In any case, try Leo's on 2nd and Grand in Hoboken. A family owned shrine to Sinatra (it's all they have on the juke box. Well some Dino, but mostly Frank.) Great pasta at a reasonable price. Bring cash, they don't like credit. They also don't like smartasses. It is a respectable joint.

Didn't mean to offend. Will be in Meadowlands area & was told to dine in NO NJ rather than spend the time going to NYC for great Italian food.

I stand by Leo's.

Cafe Italiano-Englewood Cliffs
Grissinis Trattoria-Englewood Cliffs
Robertos - Edgewater
Tutta Pasta-Hoboken
Jerrys- East Rutherford

I live in the Meadowlands area and although I haven't been there, I hear consistently good reports on Il Villagio - it's on Rt 17 North within a mile or so of the Meadowlands. I happen to be very fond of Il Cafone on Ridge Rd in Lyndhurst - it's just off Rte 3 about 2 miles west of Giants Stadium.

As an ex-Jerseyite, I will vouch that North Jersey probably has more Italian retaurants per square mile than anywhere outside of Italy, and most of them are quite good. Just a small point, however, having just come back from a trip to Italy. Typical New Jersey Italian food is not the same as typical Italian-Italian food. The New Jersey variety relies heavily on a red sauce, usually containing meatballs, sausage, or ground meat. Italian-Italian sauces often contain cream, pesto, etc, but almost never meatballs. I love both the NJ and the 'real' Italian cusines however!

I'm a No NJ Italian girl, and while I'm sure all of the places listed above would be great options, I'd go to one in Hoboken. There, you get the added bonus of the brownstone-lined streets, many quaint shops to stroll past, or into and, the gorgeous waterfront. There is also a big art and music street festival in Hoboken at the end of the month, though I'm not sure which weekend it will fall on.

I wouldn't recommend Leo's unless you were looking for a nostalgic "joint."

Best Italian in Hoboken (IMO) is at Margherita's but if you go plan on a long wait if you are there after 6:30 (but if you're seeing an event at the meadowlands this may work out well for you)... they don't take reservations. Anything with red sauce is great (especial the mussels)

Another good place in Hoboken is called Augustino's, they DO take reservations but only have about 7 tables, so make your reservations EARLY (not timewise, but before your date).

Another GREAT place is Bella Napoli in Clifton, who just moved into a new, larger, location (i haven't been to the new place yet).

I haven't been to Il Villagio in 10+ years, but i remember them having good food. I've also heard good things about Il Cafone, but then again it might have been from Owen as we frequent many of the same boards

By the way, the Hoboken music and art festival is this Sunday, May 5 (unless it rains)

Saying you're looking for Italian food in Northern New Jersey indicates you want Northern Italian food? Huh, how stupid is that?