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Local fixture known for old-fashioned red sauce & Italian eats in a cozy space with a full bar.
Hours
| Wednesday | 4:30–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 4:30–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 12–9:30 PM |
| Saturday | 4–9:30 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–8:30 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 4:30–8:30 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 10 Second St, Raritan, NJ 08869
Phone: (908) 685-9552
Website: https://www.esposrestaurantandbar.com/
Menu Photos
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7332 Followers, 977 Following, 1606 Posts – Espo’s Restaurant & Bar (@esposraritannj) on Instagram: ” Since 1974 Old School NJ Italian-American “
Reviews
Nicolette Vioreanu
I can’t say enough wonderful things about Espo’s! From coming here as a child with my family to having my own wedding here, this place is truly special to me. The food is incredible, but that’s just the start. We had our ceremony in the beautiful olive and lemon decorated outdoor patio, and it was absolutely perfect. A wonderful backdrop for all the photos as well. And once we got inside, we saw they carried out our every wish for the event- it was exactly how I imagined it. I can’t tell you how may guests still talk about how wonderful everything was- especially the food! Vodka Hotsy totsy shrimp, chicken savoy, eggplant parm, homemade ricotta with crostini, and classic chicken parm are all favorites. Nick, Lisa, and the whole team at Espo’s were so wonderful to work with, and I can’t wait for the next time we get to have dinner there. I highly recommend hosting an event here, or just coming for dinner. If there’s ever a wait, trust me when I say it’s worth it!
… moreRichie Fendt
45 min wait. Was worth it. Chicken parm was awesome and so were scallops. Great time. Be back
… moreLandin Evans
Honestly came here because this place had something on the menu I’ve never heard of before…steak parmigiana. I had to find out what their famous dish was about so I made my way there and grabbed a seat at the bar. Staff was friendly and the ambiance is top notch especially with the Christmas decor. I ordered my meal and enjoyed the scenery as I waited. To my surprise though, this star dish was not what you picture when you think of a delicious thin tenderized and breaded parmigiana dish, it was just a rib eye steak (well cooked by the chef) smothered in marinara and topped with a hefty portion of melted cheese. I am kicking myself now for not asking how it was prepared but also when I asked the wait staff if that was the dish to get I feel like they should let people know it is not prepared how most people would expect, especially before forking out $55 for it at MP. Anyway. All in all the flavors were great, but I wouldn’t come back for this dish. I do hope to try something else some day but felt the need to leave this review because I couldn’t find any that mentioned its preparation and I wouldn’t have ordered it had I known. Sidenote: The bread is served room temp & the pasta dish as the side is very underwhelming. Hosue salad dressing was delicious.
… moreLOR D
First time visiting this hidden gem. Tucked away on a residential street this restaurant is cozy and comfortable with friendly service and excellent food. Stopped in for a drink and tried their clams which were fresh and absolutely delicious. We also tried the long hots and potatoes as an appetizer which was very good. Very nice menu and they also have a Sunday brunch with a good selection of delicious choices. Nice tables with comfortable seating in a lovely classic decor setting. They have a nice bar with seating as well as drink specials. Food was wonderful and everything was made fresh with quality ingredients. We will be back to try their wonderful pasta dishes. Loved it.
… moreAmeer Ahmed
We drove by this place a few times and finally decided to try it out. This hidden gem was a great find. The service was very friendly and quick. They have ample covered outdoor seating for when the weather is warmer.
The food tasted fresh and came in large portions. The ravioli was great, as well as the eggplant parm and the fries.
Overall, we had a great time.
… moreThe food tasted fresh and came in large portions. The ravioli was great, as well as the eggplant parm and the fries.
Overall, we had a great time.
Nick Kita
First time coming to Espo’s after hearing about it for years. I always heard the good and service was good but my expectations were surpassed. One of the not so hidden gems of Somerset county.
We had the calamari 10/10 cooked to literal perfection I would come back just for this.
I had the Chicken parm in vodka sauce as the recommendation of our server Mark and I’ve never had a better tasting vodka sauce. Unbelievable 18/10
And finally we had some lasagna great as well. 8/10.
… moreWe had the calamari 10/10 cooked to literal perfection I would come back just for this.
I had the Chicken parm in vodka sauce as the recommendation of our server Mark and I’ve never had a better tasting vodka sauce. Unbelievable 18/10
And finally we had some lasagna great as well. 8/10.
Jocelyn D
Just dined in to celebrate my mother’s birthday, food was great and atmosphere was nice, but was very disappointed with the service. Not only did they begin cleaning up (taking place mats under our plates) around us when we were not finished eating, but the man insisted we payed the bill right away and stood at the table until we put the card down. He proceeded to rush us out of the restaurant and ruined the dining experience. As a server, I let people take their time no matter how busy it is and I do not recommend if you want to take your time and enjoy your dinner!
… moreNatalie Caldwell
Espo’s is a neighborhood staple, and there’s a reason why. After a recent fire, the inside is more elevated, while keeping its deep rooted Italian charm. The wait staff is quick and kind, just as you’d want and expect. Now the good part – the food!
We started off with a house and Caesar salad. Tad over dressed but great croutons. We also had the escarole soup with charred bread, chunks of sausage, and amazing flavor. HIGHLY recommend. For entrees, we got the chicken parmigiana and the shrimp vodka rigatoni (bucatini is my favorite so they swapped out the noodle for me which was amazing). Both fantastic, delicious, and elevated flavors…and more than enough for two meals.
Great spot. Great food. Great staff. Will definitely be back.
… moreWe started off with a house and Caesar salad. Tad over dressed but great croutons. We also had the escarole soup with charred bread, chunks of sausage, and amazing flavor. HIGHLY recommend. For entrees, we got the chicken parmigiana and the shrimp vodka rigatoni (bucatini is my favorite so they swapped out the noodle for me which was amazing). Both fantastic, delicious, and elevated flavors…and more than enough for two meals.
Great spot. Great food. Great staff. Will definitely be back.
Daniela D
I can’t believe I only recently went for the first time! We have been twice in the last few weeks. EVERYTHING was delicious!! The calamari was perfect and the meatballs were excellent. We had the chicken parm in vodka sauce and also an eggplant parm which were delicious. The next time we had the shrimp app followed by chicken parm and a special french onion steak which was fantastic!! Service is excellent. We sat at the bar both times. The place is small so can be crowded and a little on the loud side but it has a great atmosphere and great food. Recommend trying it.
… moreMarc Brunelle
Really nice local spot. Super casual inside but very high end food with well trained staff and bartenders. Great place to watch sports or just hangout at a table. Nice spot with dim lighting and great Italian food. Sunday gravy is the best special I’ve ever had.
… more