We're from Florida but we were in Jersey to see friends. Went to Espo's for dinner last night. I was a little disappointed that they were out of the pappardelle bolognese, but opted for the special Sunday Gravy after seeing it at someone else's table. I upgraded to the cavatelli pasta. It was amazing! Be sure to go on a Sunday because I understand they have the Sunday Gravy there every Sunday. read more

Great food! I'm sorry to say that the last time I was at Espo's was in the 1970s, at my sister's high school graduation dinner. So sorry to Espo's for not coming back sooner. The parking stinks. Street parking only, and if you can't parallel park, you're out of luck. LOL. Even so, Espo's is as great as ever! Food, service, atmosphere, etc, can't be beat! We went for lunch, and the menu said sandwiches. Our server said they could serve dinner as well. Awesome! I got the chicken parm, my friend got the linguine with clam sauce. I loved that there was no shucking of clams. Vodka sauce was great.. The best thing was the homemade ricotta! Served with crostini, topped with shaved garlic crisps. We took it home, but it melted in our car. Oh well. Our bad. Excellent meal, superb service. Next time we dine here, we'll sit at the outside dining area. It's beautiful. read more

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Reservations are strongly recommended. Was very busy at 4:30 on a Saturday. We sat outdoors as inside was busy and it was a lovely space. They did have heaters Service was great, but food did come out slow but again it was very busy We loved the Calamari, short rib ravioli special Good not amazing: clams casino, chicken Murphy Food was enough to feed two people easily. So huge portions. If you're in the area would check it out. Also, they have plenty of TVs for games read more

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I returned here for another meal. The Hotsy Totsy Shrimp was once again ordered. It was very good as my previous review stated, but it was definitely not as spicy as I remembered. Instead of the Caesar salad this time, I had the house salad. This was tasty and the house dressing was pleasing like I remembered trying last time. For an entrée, I had the braciole. It was three large pieces of beef braciole topped with lots of cheese. I also opted for a side of rigatoni with marinara sauce. The braciole was tender, but could have been a tad more seasoned, but regardless, it was still very tasty and filling with the red sauce. I liked the melted mozzarella on top too. I also had the pistachio tartufo again (see previous review for similar thoughts). read more

Espo's - Braciole - Italian Near Me - Raritan, New Jersey

Disappointed...clams oreganato dry and tasteless, same with clam casino. Hotsytotsy shrimp came out cold, husband's stuffed peppers were delicious...bread mediocre for an Italian restaurant, service friendly but rushed.. unfortunately,no desire to return read more

We were visiting from out of town and found this great local spot with excellent service and delicious pasta. The restaurant is small and cozy, with a welcoming vibe, attentive staff, and a cool bar that adds to the atmosphere. We will definitely come back next time we're in town. read more

If you see a lamb chop special on the menu, run don't walk! We're expecting a snow storm tonight but the locals all know. Danny is on the grill tonight and the chops are awesome read more

Espo's - Spectacular lamb chop special - Italian Near Me - Raritan, New Jersey

Excellent food, good service. Came there on a Thursday with a group of 6, no reservations. There's a bar to wait at or wait in the front porch. The place was crowded, but we got a table in about 25 minutes. Waiter with personality guided us through the menu and made recommendations. Bread and butter came to the table to start. Then we shared apps. Hotsy Totsy shrimp- flavorful, nice texture. Same with the meatballs, not dense at all, nice and moist, good red sauce with them. Loved the soft ricotta with crostini. We were there on cheesesteak nighr, so we got the classic to share. It was excellent. Crusty bread on the outside, molten cheese and chopped steak inside. For entrees with got Chicken Murphy, roasted on the bone, with scalloped potatoes and hot cherry peppers. Same for the Pork Chops Murphy. Meat perfectly cooked, nice and tender, flavorful brown sauce, peppers nice and spicy. There was also a beef braciole, well seasoned and tender. Overall great meal and will come back. For sure go there on a Thursday, cheesesteak special night. Must try. read more

Our neighborhood's local Italian eatery and it did not disappoint! Went in on a Sunday evening for my wedding anniversary. Had their staple Sunday Gravy which was phenomenal. So delicious and hearty. Everything tasted super fresh. Wife went with the traditional chicken parm which she loved. We will be back. If you're looking for a laid back Italian meal, this is where it's at. Service was top-notch. Restaurant is super chill and laidback. Great for a date night or a group! read more

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A local gem. The steak is so delicious but pricey. I sit and the bar and it's a lot of fun. This place is always packed. The real deal Italian food! read more

Espo's - Italian Near Me - Raritan, New Jersey

Espo's is an old world, quaint, Italian restaurant that Is definitely worth a visit! The place is always packed so be prepared to wait. The chicken Parmesan dinner is one of the best in NJ! It is pounded very thin and loaded with mozzarella cheese. The red sauce is just how my grandma made it flavorful and delicious! I love to dip their semolina bread in the sauce! The only complaint is I wish they had a better dessert menu. I highly recommend Espo's in Raritan! read more

came to this restaurant because my daughter and I were starving. These pumpkin raviolis are absolutely divine. The food is absolutely delicious. read more

Espo's - WOW! came here to eat because me daughter and i were starving on our drive home the food is delicious!!!! - Italian Near Me - Raritan, New Jersey

The lunch sandwich was good. Service was done by an overwhelmed team. You pay expensive prices and the service should be paired up to what you pay. Also $4 for a burnt espresso because probably a cheap coffee and $12 for .75 San Pellegrino water. read more

Been here a couple times, and I usually get the pork chop Murphy, which I enjoyed very much, we went last week, and I read some reviews about the chicken parm , to be honest with you I was disappointed, the sauce almost had a burnt taste to it, I come from a very Italian family and know what overdone sauce taste like, that chicken cutlet was extremely thick and not thin the way it should be, my wife had the shrimp scampi over linguine which she said she'd enjoy, we will give this place another shot, I guess we'll just stick with the pork chop Murphy going forward read more

The food, ambience and service is always amazing and this time was no different. I got the chicken parm with vodka sauce and a side of linguine and it was fantastic! The sangria is also phenomenal and I will be back again! read more

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In town for work and picked Espo's largely because it was near work. I enjoyed my side salad with house white basaltic dressing. For dinner I had a special, Papaprelle Bolognese. The pasta was a highlight, tender and just seemed special. The bolognese was good but I would have appreciated a sharper or at least a larger quantity of cheese on top to cut the intense meaty flavor. Service was unobtrusive. Prices match the norm for the area which is to say pretty expensive compared to PA or western NY etc . read more

First time and won't be our last. We tried the cheese steaks and they were the best we've in the area. Beautiful place and great food!

First of all this is our go to restaurant. From beginning to end the experience and service is phenomenal. They do not take reservations which is good first come first service deal. But the wait is definitely worth it. It makes you feel you're in an old school Italian restaurant and the food does not lie! We had the hotsy totsy shrimp which we love. Me and my wife shared the raviolis espo and chicken savoy and let me tell you the left overs never made it to the fridge. Everything on the menu is a must try! Head over to espos and prepare to be stuffed!!!!!! read more

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Food and service are the best. Love, love this restaurant. Their vodka sauce is out of this world.

Decent Italian food, I'm not sure why they charge NYC prices. I live in the area and tried the place twice. First time the linguine with clams was not great and the pasta was overcooked. Eggplant parm was very mushy. Vodka sauce is good, go with the chicken parm/vodka. Staff didn't have a single smile for us the entire time we ate and we struggled to get a second drink once the food arrived. They do brunch so we gave Espo's another chance. They hype up the cheesesteaks and fries on social media, but the sandwich was only okay, and the fries were served cold and without seasoning. They have a loyal following as it seems the place is always busy, maybe we caught them on two bad days? read more

Best eggplant parm ever and that was to-go, I can only imagine fresh out of the kitchen is even better

Great food- hadn't been there in years after moving. It's actually even better now that it used to be - and it was one of our favs. Service was attentive - ambiance - somehow they fit more tables in but I wouldn't say it was too tight. Will go back read more

Too tight, too crowded, and too loud. Our server had to shout the specials over the noise. Chicken parm was just ok - the cutlets were a little dry. The bread was good. read more

The wait is not fun, but the food was so worth it. Portions are generous, drinks are ok. Service is ok. The food though.. have to try it at least once. Small place, felt a bit crowded but again worth it at least once. read more

Great food with generous portions, and the staff is always attentive. We've dined at Espos many times and have always enjoyed the experience. However, during our last visit, we noticed Fox News playing on the TV by the bar. While it's understandable to have a TV on for background or entertainment, 24-hour news channels--especially those with a clear partisan slant--aren't ideal in a dining setting. It can make the atmosphere feel more divisive or tense, even unintentionally. Restaurants should be a place where everyone feels welcome and comfortable, regardless of their political views. We'd strongly encourage choosing more neutral programming--or something light and inoffensive, like sports or food-related shows--that helps maintain the great, inclusive vibe Espos is known for. read more

Staff, food and ambience was great. Our waitress was a perfect 10, she made appetizer recommendations and it was just as described. Everything was delicious. I can't wait to go back read more

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Delicious Italian hidden in Raritan! They have full bar and a brunch menu. We had the vodka rigatoni and cheesesteak sandwich, the homemade sauce and the steak was super tender read more

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. read more

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Oh well, Pink Cadillac! How bad can it be?. Our waiter Mark was spot on and made some terrific recommendations for the main entree. A Lamb Ragu with Orecchiette. Wow fresh, flavorful and lots of Lamb . Our second entree was the Calcio e Pepe with Bucatini. Again another 5 star dish. A nice glass of Chianti Reserva which went perfectly with our meal. An awesome Caesar Salad for starts and end of night Espresso Macchiato. On our way out, my wife and I met owner, Nick, and he confirmed it is his Pink Cadillac in front of the restaurant! read more

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First time there since the change in ownership. Very disappointed in the starters: salad and bread. Tried the Hotsytotsy shrimp, excellent. The steak parm also excellent. Going back to the salad and bread. In the past the salad was fresh lettuce with home made chunky blue cheese dressing fresh tomatoes some onions and a hot pepper,the bread was warm crusty Italian with poppy seeds. The starters are a big part of the reason I go to a good restaurant. Very disappointed read more

Never would've expected a restaurant in the middle of a block of houses but there it was! It reminded me of Laico's in Jersey City. Very unexpected. First impression they had a bunch of outside seating (covered and with heatlamps). Nice to have on crisp nights. From entryway is covered and helps muffle any noise from nearby houses. We walked in 6:30 ish on a Sat night and it was packed. Bar seating is available and also on a first come first serve basis. We did not expect to be seated quickly but 10 mins and we had a table. Service was fast and furious. Drinks, bread, and order taken within the 1st 10 mins of being seated. I ordered the chicken parm and my husband had the steak special (Marsala style). The chicken parm was delicious, huge order that came with a side of pasta. Steak was weird for my husband. I think he heard steak and went with it not realizing it was a saucy and cheesy steak and not what he's used to. Steak was cooked to his liking but I think he was overwhelmed with the the toppings. Now he knows! I ordered cacio y Pepe to go (bucatini) which was delicious! My husband said the bar's liquor options were impressive for such a small estate. Def a spot I'd love to come back to on another night. read more

Espo's - Steak - Italian Near Me - Raritan, New Jersey

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This place is a vibe. Been here for both lunch and dinner. Lunch you have to get the cheesesteak. Dinner. There's a ton of options. No reservations so be prepared to wait. Service is always top notch. A must place to go. read more

We are big fans of Espos. The food is always good. The service is always good. And the drinks are alwayyyyys good. Dimly lit and perfect for a date night with your love. We just spent Valentine's Day there, excellent as always. read more

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NEVER a bad experience at this literally hidden gem nestled in the middle of a neighborhood in a tiny house. Incredible service and dishes - some modern flare with old school vibes under the new ownership. Same great taste with menu staples and revolving weekly specials to keep ya on your toes. You need to seek this spot out ASAP - although it is first come first serve with limited seating, well worth a shot and can just post up at the bar to pass time. BuckEAT list for all! read more

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Beautiful little spot. Waited for table at the outside sofas, cozy and comfortable to wait. Lucky weather was nice

Solid Italian. The prices are a little on the pricer side but the portions are pretty big! The service was super friendly and the ambience was cozy and family friendly. read more

Espo's - Creamy Mushroom ravioli - Italian Near Me - Raritan, New Jersey

Go here for the vodka sauce, they'll even make chicken parm with it. It's decadent and yummy. Everything else is meh... Eggplant parm was a mushy mess. More like pudding then fried eggplant. The restaurant is cute, but small and tight with tables very close to each other. Servers are all business, not many smiles. They have a lovely little outdoor space in the warm weather. Perfect for drinks and dinner in the summertime. Decent spot if you live in the area. I probably wouldn't travel far to come here. read more

The food the service and the owner are top shelf. The food is as authentic and good as it gets.

I heard about this restaurant from Reddit, of all places, and decided to have my birthday dinner here. It did not disappoint! I had the rigatoni vodka with chicken cutlet and my husband had the steak FOP (with Fried Onions and Peppers). Both portions were huge and so flavorful and delicious. Our server was good-humored and helpful, too. We will be back! read more

Espo's - Rigatoni vodka with chicken cutlet - Italian Near Me - Raritan, New Jersey

Cozy, with good ambiance on a little side street. The food here was super tasty but definitely heavy and usually fried or cheese covered so definitely American Italian. Hotsy tosty (or fried) shrimp in vodka sauce was super tasty! Main portions here are huge and we both took home some of our pastas and chicken parm dishes. Overall, good if you're looking for heavy and comforting dishes but I'll keep searching for my favorite Italian restaurant in Central Jersey. read more