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John & Tony's Trattoria Caffe
Category: Restaurants Pizza Pizza [Edit]
1097 1st Ave(between 60th St & 61st St)
New York, NY 10021
Neighbourhood: Upper East Side
(212) 371-4965
- Nearest Transit:
-
Lexington Av/59 St (N, Q, R)
59 St (4, 5, 6, 6X)
Lexington Av/63 St (F)
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Liz D. said: "What an awesome place to have an event...! Not only is this place absolutely beautiful and super modern, the staff is seriously awesome, super welcoming and accommodating... you put down a glass, boom it's disappeared off your table…" read more »
27 reviews for John & Tony's Trattoria Caffe
Review Highlights
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"I love their thin-crust pizza (always delivered." In 7 reviews -
"...de resistance is their eggplant parm hero which is only $4..." In 2 reviews -
"A modest throwback style pizzeria complete with red and..." In 4 reviews
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27 reviews in English
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Review from Carrie M.
Manhattan, NY
3/8/2012
I've tried a lot of places out and this is my gem. the guys in there are really nice and the pizza is awesome, at any time of day. Hawaiian, thin crust is my favorite but all are good.
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Review from David Z.
2/12/2012
Since one of my dreams is to take a time-machine back to NYC circa 1975...I tend to like places that are stuck in old school new york. I really hope they never remodel. De Niro could have walked into John & Tony's in Taxi Driver and it would have looked the same. The pizza is about average, but their gravy is very good.
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Review from R R.
Manhattan, NY
9/26/2011
I consider John & Tonys a gem in NYC. The ingredients are so fresh, the salads enormous, the ambience ranges from casual pizzeria in front to rustic trattoria in back.
The ultimate test? I ate here with several authentic Italian American colleagues, who can afford the best. They LOVED the food. They returned and ate there again
The Pollio Antonio is fabulous, the Shrimp Francese succulent, the garlic knots addictive, the salads huge ( ask for a jalapeño pepper if you want one), the quality of the ingredients is evident in the food. I have NEVER had a bad dish here. The pizza is also very good. And my friend ordered baked stuffed clams and was delighted!
Fancy schmancy is not my criteria for dining. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a local trattoria, very clean, very picturesque, the dining room warm and cozy, the pizzeria area clean, spotlessly clean, bright, great service. Open very late, and has customers at all hours.
You dont have to pay exorbitant prices for too notch food. John & Tonys as a perfect example of top quality food at reasonable prices. And the staff allow leisurely dining: if you want to enjoy a relaxed meal, no one is hurries you. If you are in a hurry, they serve you quickly. A perfect trattoria! -
Review from Tyrik G.
Bronx, NY
1/7/2011
I've been coming here frequently over the past couple of months since I've started working at BedBath&Beyond across the street. It's nice to have a pizza spot right across the street on those days that I don't want to walk that far for food on my breaks. This is between average - above average, but wouldn't call it anything spectacular. It's not too cheesy, which I'm grateful for and it taste good. Every-time I come the pizza tastes different, but in a good-way different. I would recommend stopping in here for a quick slice if you're in the neighborhood. The decor is nice too...some stuff to look at while your eating your food. Also, sometimes they burn the crust of the pizza, so do not tell me I didn't warn you.
P.S: Don't ask me for any 20% off BedBathBeyond coupons...I do not have any..lol. :) -
Review from Eva T.
Manhattan, NY
4/25/2012
If I could give this place a -2 stars I would. Everytime I eat here my stomach goes bad later on that night. It must be nasty back there in the kitchen or something. Oh well... Me being the loyal person that I am still go there for Italian Icey's. (it's separate from the kitchen anyway). Well guess what?! Today I was soooo hungry I almost chewed my fingers off!! the only cheap place around here is This pizzaria, John & Tony's Trattoria Caffe. So I calls them up to place an order of a reg. slice and an appetizer (something light because Usually after I eat from here I get a bad case of the bubble guts!) Let me tell you how rude this guy was to me as he took my order! I payed it no mind because I figured he was just busy. Well I called back about 4 min. later and same guy picked up the phone I said "yes, hello I just called and placed an order for ..." his response was "what now?!" HAHAAA!!!! I was sooo shocked! I told him to cancel the order (he might has well done so with that disgusting attitude) and he hung up in my ear. I was really mind boggled as to why this guy was so nasty and I visit there like every day to get an italian icey and they are so nice to me whenever I walk in. so I took a walk to the pizzaria to see what was going on... as soon as I walk in the guy is so nice and walks over to the italian icey freezer by the window... I says "no, I dont want an icey today. I'd like to know who is picking up the phones and taking orders today?" the guy says "oh, he's in the bathroom" and yells out someone's name toward the back (kitchen area). Now he knows damn well aint nobody was in the bathroom!!! it was him that was the one picking up the phone with the distasteful attitude. so I simply voiced my opinion and told him I it was a pitty that I wouldnt be coming there anymore. I dont feel comfortable with supporting a business that is out right rude to customers on the phone. aside from having attitudes when a customer is not in their face, what else do they do ?? spit in the food? uugh! Yuk! I will never go there again. and neither should you.
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Review from Michael F.
New York, NY
7/6/2007
This place is the place to go after a night of hitting up bar after bar. It's open until 5am most nights. They have a ton of different pizzas there, but their piece de resistance is their eggplant parm hero which is only $4.75!
But while they are convenient with their prices and hours, they are not so happy to have you there. The guy who seems to be in charge of the pizza is always in a crappy mood. He doesn't want anyone there, even if you are a regular customer. He is numb to all small talk. And there's a clear cut need for small talk because they take a while to make their stuff.
Also, I've been charged $4.75 (which is the price on their walls) to $6.00 for an eggplant parm there. I know I should say something, but I just think of it as my drunk tax that I pay for showing up there so late.
I've eaten in the back restaurant area on a Sunday night once and it wasn't bad at all. The prices were just a touch more than their takeout and the flamboyant waiter seemed on top of things.
All and all I should really not like this place but I can't help it. How could you not like John and Tony's? -
Review from Yoav C.
Manhattan, NY
11/26/2011
I walked by Lombardi's yesterday in Noho and saw a line of tourists waiting at least 45 min to get a table, laughed and thought immediately of J&T's. If they only knew that they could get better pizza without the wait.
I'm not writing this only because its my local pizza joint, I've tried other pies but I keep comparing them to J&T's (and theres a reason for that) because they do a pie right. To be up front dont get the "worker slice" to judge this place by , do it like a pro and order a fresh pie and you will be impressed.
Also don't look for gracious service or the white table cloth experience (leave that for the overpriced yuppie joints) but what you will get is a great NYC pizza, in an old school setting.
Funny when people are looking for authentic "old" places but this place has its own questionable past: Supposedly it was originally owned by wiseguys who had several phones installed in the back dining room, which looks oddly like a private little club.
But dont come for the decor, its the pizza here which is awesome; and oh ya the meatball sub which will corrupt you. They have other things on the menu but I havent been able to get past both of those. -
Review from Stuart C.
New York, NY
2/1/2011
My wife and I came here a few years ago and had a pleasant meal, but never returned until last fall. We meet a freind here and we can actually converse! I realize many Yelpers have complained about the slow service, but to us that's a plus; more time to sit and chat.
Our friend always has pasta with white clam sauce, which she likes, my wife alternates between that and eggplant parm, me, I like pasta with meat sauce, sausage, meatballs or just marinara sauce. Never had a complaint. I've never ordered a slice so I can't verufy the $4.25 price someone mentioned (extras on it?). We did have a pizza once and it was good, thin crust, nice sauce, and it was made the way we ordered it; extra sauce, less chese and sausage on one half, regular sauce and cheese, no sausage on the other half!!!
We haven't had any of their "fancier" dishes, but truth be told; I wouldn't order anything by simple dishes from any Italian Rest. similar to this one. Vinci's, incidentaly, was awful! No puzzle it closed. -
Review from Bonnie P.
Atlanta, GA
5/23/2007
I'm a former waitress and I hardly ever complain about service. When I do complain about service, it's usually about some sort of intentional behavior, such as affirmative and unwarranted bitchitude, rather than neglect. So you're in for a treat - this is an account of the slowest, most negligent service I've ever had.
Ever get so thirsty from sitting in a restaurant for an hour without getting any water that someone from your table gets up and grabs a pitcher and paper cups from the tray stand and pours it for the table himself?
It took us 30 minutes and flagging someone over to get our orders taken, then 20 minutes went by. Then a man who I can only assume is the chef came to the table himself and re-asked one of us what his order was. A few minutes later (after we'd been sitting there an hour) we get bread, and still no water. And it's not like we didn't ask for water. On three separate occasions. I was thinking, the food better be damn good to put up with this shitty service.
It wasn't even correct-they got my side pasta wrong. And it didn't make up for anything in tase. The eggplant parm was like a limp soggy dishrag soaking in grease.
The prices aren't bad, begging the question of whether "you get what you pay for," so to speak. Fuck. I'm taking my ten bucks to McDonalds next time. -
Review from Jia J.
3/31/2011
59th street bridge and not feeling too groovy after viewing a nearby "loft" that was basically a two-foot high, probably illegal cubbyhole going for $900 a month before utilities in a cultish apartment devoid of closets and run by aspiring triathletes.
So in the no man's land under the Queensboro Bridge, where they randomly have a Betsey Johnson and dog clothing boutique aside gigantic Food Emporium and TJ Maxx and a graveyard of MTA buses and the crusty arterial on and off ramps to the bridge, I saw this almost Grimaldi-esque place tucked away in the shadows.
The $3.75 margherita slice was kind of dry and small, so I poured on a layer of parmesan and chili flakes just to mix it up (why not). This likely made a whole different beast, so in that sense, I don't have much of a right to critique the slice further.
Anyway, this place really wasn't about the pizza...truth be told, if the pizza were better, than I would actually consider hauling someone to this random corner of Manhattan, over which the trams to Roosevelt Island dangle creepily over the street in their perpetual, ferris wheely motion. Something about the low, unlevel ceiling and the checkered table cloths, the big guys talking in hushed, hideous Brooklyn accents, old couples in fur and leather jackets eating and not speaking, and the proximity of the East River lent a strange tingle of eerie anticipation to the atmosphere. Basically, I admit that I expected an Italian woman to run screaming that she'd found a body by the riverbank, or for gunfire to break out, or for Ray Liotta or Joe Pesce to walk in, revealing that they aren't just mobsters in movies, but in real life. Definitely looked over my shoulder as I walked away. You know, just in case.Listed in: SLICE OF LIFE
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Review from Mike S.
New York, NY
11/13/2010
Never again. Food is disgusting and grossly overpriced.
Case-in-point, I walk in after work, very late at night (around 1 am). I order two slices which have clearly been sitting around all day. I don't really care though, because I'm really hungry.
The guy then proceeds to ring me up at $4.25 a slice. I know this is NYC, but as far as I'm concerned, that's too much for 12 hour old pizza.
I tried to argue with the guy for his charging me full price, and he responded with this gem:
"only the freshest pizza here. our pizza doesn't sit around for days. this pizza was made this morning."
Whatever, I'm too tired to care at this point. I paid him -- but I'm never going back.
Price or not, it was nasty pizza. There's a dominoes down the street that will at least cook it fresh and wont rip me off, even if it tastes like cardboard. -
Review from Dianne S.
New York, NY
12/27/2009
I am from Syracuse where the pizza has a slightly thick, doughy crust and Buffalo Wings with blue cheese are the common accompaniment. I have been searching for good pizza and wings like the kind I grew up with in Syracuse for the entire 15 years I've lived in Manhattan, and I have finally found it here at John & Tony's!
The crust is chewy but not too thick. The sauce is slightly spicy and sweet, and the cheese is real mozzerella, piled on thick and melted but not browned.
The wings are crispy, not breaded, shaken with the classic Buffalo hot sauce. They are served with the traditional creamy blue cheese dressing. The only reason they don't get 5 stars is because they don't come with celery sticks.
The guy who took my order was abrasive, short and not charming, but I almost like that because you know you are ordering from a real NYC pizza joint, not a shoo-shoo brick oven fake place. LOL
This isn't fine dining--it's a delivery pizza place, so if you want atmosphere and charm, go to Finestra on York & 73rd. If you want a real Southern Italian pizza to eat while you are watching football at home on a Sunday, order from here! DELICIOUS! -
Review from T B.
Pompton Lakes, NJ
9/21/2009
Best pizza on the east side late night in the city. Make sure you get something to drink though because you get thirsty afterwards! Their chicken parm slices are good and I like their focaccia slices even better. Garlic rolls are also tasty.
Haven't tried their regular menu but am eager to.
And did I mention it's open until after 4 am lol??! -
Review from Chrissie S.
Oakland Gardens, Queens, NY
3/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Only because it's on the corner of my BF's house was I able to I try the pizza here. Otherwise, would've walked on by. This place has been here for years according to the BF as he grew up on this stuff. I only come here for pizza to go. Eventhough the pizza may be sitting there all day and they reheat it, you know it was made fresh that day. And even after reheating, the crust is perfectly thin with just the right amount of sauce and cheese. This is a no frills pizza joint so just get it to go if you don't like the ambiance.
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Review from chun l.
New York, NY
7/24/2009
Having walked pass John & Tony's on countless occasions, the invigorating scents derived from the edible offerings always produced an insatiably profound feeling of humility to the possible palate enlightenment that rests behind these restaurant walls. It is with this aromatic scent alone that a venture to John & Tony's was had.
Take out... As dining in the run down pizzeria didn't seem too welcoming.
Fresh Mozzarella Slice ($3.25): A simple application of dough crust, tomato sauce, sliced fresh mozzarella circles, and fresh basil. At first bite, patrons will find that the tomato sauce is the main attraction of this application. With each taste of the tomato sauce stems an abundance of flavors generated from the fresh oregano and pepper used in the application. The proper balance of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Tomatoes used in the base provided the smooth and velvety texture that's common of a perfectly cooked tomato sauce. The sauce is the binding agent to a well prepare crust, similar to NY style pizza but not excessively doughy. The finishing touches of the pizza can be found in the freshly sliced mozzarella. Although the cheese could've been melted further, the sweetness derived from the Fresh Mozzarella was the perfect accompaniment to the semi-sweet and robust tomato sauce. Furthermore, the earthiness derived from the fresh basil further helped to enhance the richness and complexity in this slice.
Chicken Roll ($5.00): Hearty and humbling are two terms that best describes John & Tony's rendition of the Chicken Roll. Encased within the perfectly measured dough exterior are an abundance of Chicken Cutlet Slices, Tomato Sauce, & Mozzarella Cheese (not fresh). At first bite, patrons will find that the humbling warmth from the dough allows for the meatiness of the chicken to permeate during consumption. A heavy amount of well breaded chicken is accompanied by the chewy texture of the mozzarella cheese. Patrons will find that additional tomato sauce is required to add the liquidity and juices for this application, but such an accompaniment is meant to further bind the elements. With each bite, patrons will find that the proper balance of dough, chicken, mozzarella, and tomato sauce work to provide flavors ranging from subtle and brash.
There's little that needs to be said about John & Tony's other than the aromatics relished outside the restaurant are only a preview of the palate enticing flavors that bestow each patron. Granted, a simplistic application is found at this modest pizzeria, but the bold flavors observed through the consumption of it's various offerings prove that with scent, there is also taste.Listed in: Pizza, Pizza...
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Review from lisa f.
New York, NY
10/14/2006
This friendly neighborhood place is great. The back room is great to have dinner. Gary, the waiter is great. The food is great and the wine even better! The garlic knots that are in the bread basket are addictive. They have the best chicken Parmesan in the city! It is a great place to meet your friends every week and feel like you are home! Go and try a great local place.
Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from Michael H.
New York, NY
11/12/2010
I wish I could explain exactly why, but the slices here just don't deliver. I've gotten stomach aches the last two times I've eaten here, and don't plan on coming back - Ultimate Pizza just down the block on 57th is much better (although not open nearly as late as J&T's).
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Review from Alyse L.
New York, NY
9/17/2010
A modest throwback style pizzeria complete with red and white checkered tablecloths. Excellent pizza, nice texture, not overly greasy, and good crust. The special basil sauce no cheese pizza is my favorite, I haven't found anything else in the city quite like it. The bbq chicken pizza is really good as well. I have always had friendly service with a smile. I typically just stop in to pick up a slice on my way home every once in a while, but you can also sit down to eat, or order delivery.
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Review from Amanda P.
Brooklyn, NY
3/31/2008
Ick. I went here some months ago and was patently unimpressed with their pizza. Bad, bready crust and poor quality ingredients. Trust me, go to Vinci's across the street, is 1000x better.
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Review from Rachel H.
New York, NY
2/25/2007
While most New Yorkers spend their Friday nights bar and club hopping, my last Friday in NYC was spent in a hospital bed. After a miserable weekend of being disgustingly sick, my test results came back to report that I had food poisoning, Salmonella to be specific. Being that an order of Baked Ziti from John and Tony's was the only thing I had eaten in the past 48 hours, I can only trace it back to them. Needless to say, I am NEVER eating there again.
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Review from Debra H.
Silver Spring, MD
8/15/2011
An old-fashioned red sauce neighborhood Italian restaurant, unpretentious, affordable. The cheese calzone with spinach was delicious!
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Review from Tora D.
6/16/2008
Great neighborhood pizzeria/Italian restaurant that opens until late so you are most likely to run into the drunk guys that come in here after their wild night at Scores which is around the corner.
The sauce really makes the pizza as well as the cheese and this place has the best so far that I have experienced in Manhattan. The price for a regular slice has gone up pretty quickly in the past year but that could be probably said for the rising rent and cost of ingredients. The pizza guys have always been nice to me when I go in there late night after work (they probably think I'm one of the Scores dancers) and Maria, who is one of the owners, is always there until closing and very cordial and understanding should there ever be an unsatisfying dining experience there.
The crust is crisp and thin just like a true Italian pizza pie should be. The new pizza guy they have now is from Sicily and also cordial and friendly. -
Review from Shelly A.
2/26/2010 1 Check-in Here
Affordable and tasty pizza with in my opinion, great customer service (unlike the experiences of some of these other Yelpers). We were ordering a bunch of stuff for a group...pizza, soups, drinks, etc. and the employee was careful to make sure we had everything before leaving. We actually walked out without the soup and he ran after us to make sure we got it. I was very satisfied with John and Tony's and can't wait to go back to try the chicken!
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Review from Thomas K.
New York, NY
5/17/2007
That's awful that Rachel B. got sick (obstensibly) from John & Tony's. I love their thin-crust pizza (always delivered). Reasonable prices here.
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Review from Julian M.
New York, NY
6/19/2009
I love grubbing this place a little too much. I cant believe it's score. I have never had the pizza, so I can't speak to that, but that is not why I go here. You go here for the delicious chicken dishes they have. The chicken marsala and piccata are both above average. But the chicken dish with the artichoke juice is FANTASTIC!!!
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Review from David C.
Edgewater, NJ
6/13/2008
ive been here plenty of times after doing shot after shot of patron silver and sprinkle in a shot of yaeger here and there. its open till at least 4am sometimes longer. the sauce to cheese ratio is good and the sauce has a sweeter taste than most sauces. there is a back dining room if u dont want the traditional pizza parlor experience. the guys that work there usually throw me an extra slice on the house when they are about to close. btw scores is a few feet away. woooohooo. check out my review on scores
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Review from emily g.
3/30/2010
There is only one waiter here, so if you're in the mood for good, local, American Italian food you should consider ordering delivery unless you have a lot of time to spare. The seating area is pretty cute though, and its a great place for a casual midweek dinner as an alternative to ordering in. The most excellent thing about J&T's is that they deliver 24 hours a day. You can get any item from their entire menu at any hour. Even in NY that's pretty amazing. The chicken dishes are why I order from here. They're juicy and have great ingredients. I live the Pollo Antonio and the Francaise best. I will often in a moment of weakness order the chicken atop of some ziti, which is amazing even though they ALWAYS overcook the pasta. However, you can always get a chopped house salad in the place of pasta, and it's a very nice salad, with all the great American-Italian fix-ins. Their sandwiches are very good too.
Listed in: A quarter century in Midtown
