Get the eggs and purgatory with sausage and cheese added. There's no going back to other menu options after that.

I used to love this place. We would go any free weekend for breakfast. Their bread brings such nostalgia of my childhood and grandmother! However, I feel as though the new changes have messed with their brunch menu. We've been observing this progression for the past year. There was something really simple, but enjoyable about the old menu. It felt down-to-earth...which I can't say of the new one. We went yesterday with hopes of their tried and true breakfast essentials but was sadly disappointed to see the menu had more lunch than breakfast. There was absolutely nothing on the menu that could be recommended for people with young children. We sadly left. I'm sure it's delicious but the breakfast vibe was off. read more

We went last night for Schenectady's restaurant week. Absolutely fabulous. A 6 course meal for $25. We started with eggplant rollatini. Then we went on to fresh garden salads. I was pleasantly surprised they came with black olives! After that we had the pasta with vodka sauce. Definitely the best vodka sauce I have ever had. A hint of spice to flavor it up. I am already craving it again! After that they gave us a lemon sorbet "to cleanse our palet" but I think it was just an early treat. Dinner consisted of a HUGE piece of prime rib and garlic mashed potatoes. I brought them home I was so full! Desert for me was rice pudding (exceptional)! There are many other options but I am sure every other one was just as good as our selections!! If you are in the neighborhood definitely stop there!! You won't regret it read more

Have been many times for breakfast and lunch and it was terrific! However, went for dinner on Monday night and it was absolutely horrible! Ordered chicken Marsala. Chicken was fried in very old oil and was served with blackened food bits all over the chicken. Overcooked and tasted like rubber. Sent it back. Chef must have been insulted because he then served an underdone piece of chicken. Everyone else had very mediocre meals. Must say the lemon bars were outstanding. read more

The search is over! We have found our new go-to place for breakfast!!! I knew this place would be great before we even got through the front door. Cozy atmosphere, friendly service, and the food and coffee is amazing! The Eggs in Purgatory are a must... I added some sausage and fontina to the sauce as server suggested. Poached eggs submerged in a spicy red marinara - to die for! I could've just eaten it with a spoon, but their famous bread is there to scoop it up. Can't wait to go back - so many tempting choices on the menu! read more

More Perreca's - Reason to Live - Italian Near Me - Schenectady, New York

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Have been here for breakfast multiple times over the years, and the eggs in purgatory (spicy tomato sauce) are an absolute MUST. I've also had a number of their specialty pancakes and breakfast sandwiches, and haven't yet been disappointed. It's a little small, so brunch time can get busy on weekends. I was once a bit forgotten about when I was seated outside last spring. But overall, great food, great service, can't wait to go back soon! read more

More Perreca's - Delicious eggs in a spicy purgatory sauce, surrounded by toasted pieces of their delicious, fresh bread! - Italian Near Me - Schenectady, New York

It pains me to leave such an average review for More Perreca's. But brunch isn't what it used to be here. The eggs in purgatory, and the bread, are delicious, thank goodness. They, along with the nice service, comprise the reason for a third star. But sadly, the espresso is literally undrinkable, the home-fried potatoes under-seasoned, and the French toast bland, even when made with the infamous Italian bread. I sat near the kitchen and stared at our food as it sat under a warmer for an uncomfortably long time. My husband's eggs were overcooked. My son's mini-pizza was strangely average. Why am I nit-picking here? Because this restaurant has been around for years, the bread that birthed it is nationally recognized, and it's on a street in Schenectady with an archway that reads "Little Italy." I don't think it's wrong to have expected a little more than we got. read more

Great waitstaff and menu. Love the tomato pie paninis, peppers and eggs. Old school Italian if you haven't had it, you don't understand how good it is. Brings me back to my grandmothers when she used to make me pepper and egg sandwiches as a child. read more

Great brunch served with their legendary bread. Attentive service and comfortable, pleasant atmosphere. I enjoyed the french toast and it was soooo good. My husband had an omelette even though he eats mainly vegan food with occasional treats like this. I would recommend that they consider adding at least a token vegan entree as there are so many vegans out there. The service was excellent, wait staff were efficient and friendly. There is also a nice garden patio out back. Remember to go next door and bring home a loaf of Schenectady's best Italian bread. read more

Three words. Eggs in Purgatory. Slices of their bread, poached eggs, and their kick ass sauce. That's all I need. Or just give me a straw and let me drink the sauce. read more

More Perreca's - Eggs in Purgatory - Italian Near Me - Schenectady, New York

Stopped in for pizza on a Saturday afternoon. Big mistake. Both pizzas were doughy, overpriced and undercooked. My son would subsist exclusively on pizza given the option, and he took a pass, leaving hungry. Stick to water or have a drink in the car, a 12oz glass of Pepsi is $4. Not sure if refills are included, I wasn't offered one. The kitchen is open and we left smelling like food and grease. That seals it for me, we won't be back. read more

Been here for breakfast only. Perreca's was within walking distance back when I lived in Schenectady which made it the go-to place to breakfast after a night of drinking. Or just any time, really. For those trying it for the first time, the eggs in purgatory is a must. Perfectly cooked eggs covered in a delicious sauce that has a slight kick to it with toast all around your plate. Great meal. My personal favorite however is the frittata. Usually with fontinella cheese, sausage and veggies. And most importantly, a side of purgatory sauce. Fantastic place for breakfast. When the weather is nice, i'd definitely recommend sitting in the patio outside. Really nice place for a date! Private parking too which is nice. read more

More Perreca's - Came here all the time. Eggs in purgatory and frittatas are to die for. - Italian Near Me - Schenectady, New York

Perreca's has been a Schenectady staple forever and rightfully so - its freaking amazing! The bread is nice and crusty outside and soft and delicious inside. Today when I went in they had fontinella cheese that you could buy blocks of - I can never find Fontinella so I jumped right on this chance - phenomenal! They have a delicious olive tapenade that is great on a sandwich, and you can even get some of the made sandwiches they have there for you - like the muffalleta - yum!!! read more

I loved it. it was amazing the service was FUN Jeremy is definitely a servers server! If you've never been stop in soon. The food ummm FRESH! DELICIOUS....Chris the chef will stop by and thank you while ribbing the wait staff. bottom line great food great service read more

This review is for More Perrecas, not the bakery. During my time in Schenectady as a college student, I would frequent this fantastic establishment. Every time I visit my alma mater, I make sure I get a meal in at Perrecas. The chicken Marsala is my favorite while the girlfriend's favorite is the chicken piccata. The home made pizzas are fantastic (I enjoy cartelized onions). You can't go wrong with the menu. Get dessert. Any dessert. The cupcakes are amazing! Nice outdoor seating in the back. read more

We dined at More Perreca's after attending a play at Proctor's. This was our first visit to the restaurant. (By checking in on Yelp we received a 20% discount on our meal) We were not dissatisfied. With our visit. We were immediately seated in a booth without a reservation. Our waitress,Nicole, was entirely attentive to our needs throughout the entire dining experience. My wife ordered Shrimp Scampi and I ordered Eggplant Parmigiana. Both dishes were of an abundant size and delicious. All the pasta is freshly made on premises. We vowed to make this restaurant one of our regular stops when in the Schenectady area. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone. The restaurant is located on Jay Street in the "Little Italy" section of Schenectady. There is ample parking in the area and the back of the restaurant. read more

Excellent Italian restaurant with great food and service. My Italian family and I went for Christmas Eve dinner and everything was perfect from start to finish. Staff was friendly and attentive, food was delicious and atmosphere was cozy yet authentic. I'm 100% Italian and there aren't many places that get it right...this one does! read more

This is a review for More Perreca's (which should probably have it's own Yelp page, as it has different hours, and serves a different clientele than the bakery) Beautiful atmosphere, amazing food, great service, ample parking. I have been here twice, once I had a simple breakfast and took home some of the phenomenal cupcakes from the bakery side, which I ate for lunch. The second time, I had the eggs in purgatory for breakfast. I am not sure how people who don't like spice would find it, but I LOVED IT, it was one of the heartiest things I have ever eaten, and it smacked me awake. While I don't understand this trend, the Italian sausage patty went perfectly with the dish, however I am not sure that I would prefer it to breakfast sausage in an egg and pancake scenario. You simply have to get to this place yourself. I heard about it from two different friends who told me I HAD to try it, and now I am telling everyone i know, YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS PLACE! read more

I get to Perreca's maybe once every year, but I'm usually craving it the other 364 days each year. Their tomato pie is hands-down the best I've ever, ever had. It's lathered with a thick tomato paste that's obviously a labor of love- not too acidic and seasoned with just enough Italian seasonings and finely grated parmigiano cheese. The sharp provolone and roasted red pepper sandwich is indeed sharp but also a little sweet. I think I could eat it anytime of day, anytime of year. Despite those two wonderful things, Perecca's does have some misses for me. The tomato and mozzarella sandwich is a little oily and uses sliced mozzarella rather than fresh. The beans and greens soup was waaay salty and had too many large chunks of pork. Italians tend to flavor their soups with meat, not have them be the featured ingredient. The service is a little slow during lunch because they can be chatty with their regulars, but that's not always a bad thing. I really go to Perreca's for their tomato pie and their red pepper sandwich. For those two things alone, this place is worth 5 stars. read more

First some corrections about the restaurant information. Yes, they do serve wine and beer and yes, at least at dinner they have wait service. Dining companion and I had the opportunity to eat at More Perecca's last evening before going to Proctor's. Within 5 minutes we were seated (although the longer we were there, the line for a table was getting quite long.). Very fresh and crisp salad followed by ziti and meatballs was terrific. Large portions at a small price. And Perecca's bread on the side. How good is this! We were in and out within 45 minutes, never feeling rushed, but with plenty of time to make the show. read more

I ordered delivery from More Perreca's for myself, my husband and 3 friends. First, being of Italian descent and maker of my own red sauce, it is very difficult for me to find a red sauce that doesn't disagree with me or tastes anything like the homemade sauce I make or grew up on. Well, congratulations, you are one that I will eat! We ordered all different meals and all but one was made to order. The one was to be plain, nothing on the chicken or the pasta (due to allergies) and it wasn't plain. It's not that hard but they really should do it the way it's asked for. Despite allergies or simply picky eaters, it's discouraging when you expect it to be plain and it isn't. The order was also incomplete: we were missing a meal and when I asked the delivery of there was another bag, she replied no. Sure enough, when we emptied the bag, there was a meal missing. I called and "they were closed" but I persisted and got through to someone. They ended up delivering the meal. But by then we had split the meal with our friend and the meal ended up being a "leftover" for my friend the next day. Despite the delivery snapfoo, we would definitely order again and are looking forward to in-person dining! But we will definitely order delivery again!! read more

What a gem! Came here for brunch on a Sunday morning and the place was lively and full. You can tell this is a local favorite. As you read through the menu you can tell it comes from a long line of tradition from a true Italian family, very similar recipes to my grandmothers. We ordered a few of their paninis on their tomato pie which is a MUST if you have never tried it. The Eggs in Purgatory were incredible also. Maria the owner, came by our table. You can tell she puts so much passion into this place. HIGHLY RECOMMEND as a must visit. Definitely will be returning. read more

I gotta say, when I'm wrong, I'm wrong. Went back to Perreca's on a Friday night with my wife and another couple and everything was simply superb, from appetizer to entree to dessert to service to wine (well, wine is always good). We will be back for sure. A+. read more

Brought some out-of-town friends here for dinner. The cost was very reasonable, everyone enjoyed their meal and the service was excellent. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for Italian food in a cozy atmosphere. read more

I love using Yelp to find these little gems. Yea this is a solid venue for lunch. Panini's are fabulous. Great coffees and dessert and will definitely return on my next visit. My dining companion, who is on the Atkins diet, was just dying as I chowed down my sandwich. I thought he was going to code out as I enjoyed my cannoli to the last finger licking bite. One ding though...Our check was brought to us without asking if we wanted coffee or dessert. I ordered a cappuccino and while looking at the dessert menu the check was brought again. I ordered dessert and here comes Rev 3 of the bill. Oh they do not accept AMEX. read more

Excellent authentic Italian food. I'm very critical of most Italian food so this is a HUGE compliment. Their pomodoro sauce is perfect and paired with the homemade papardelle ... wow! The salads were fresh and hearty especially the octopus salad! A palate cleansing lemon sorbet was a nice little extra. Dinners were well seasoned and expertly cooked. Don't even think of passing on the desserts because they are also very authentic Italian delights, especially the cannoli. This place does not disappoint and it is absolutely on my "must return to" list. read more

Amazing Dinner. We came on a Wednesday night 1/2 price bottled wine night. We did not have reservations and where seated immediately. The service was great. The food from the bread, salad to entree was exceptional. We had the veal chop special which was cooked to perfection. I asked for a homemade pasta side instead of what was served with it. The chef made a special lemon sauce that was great. We had a visit from the chef and Maria which made our night. The menu is small but all homemade and outstanding. Don't miss this restaurant if you are in town. Can't wait to go back!!! and it will be soon. read more

Went here for brunch today with my parents. Mom and I had the chicken Milanese sandwich and dad had the sausage and peppers. The sandwiches were very good. The salad that was served with them was surprisingly exceptional, the dressing was very light and tasty. The highlight of our meal was the Tuscan eggs that we shared. Oh my, I've never had anything like them. That will be what I order for brunch from now on! Oh, I can't forget the pumpkin pie margarita, yum! read more

More Perreca's - Tuscan Eggs - Italian Near Me - Schenectady, New York

Fantastic! Food is excellent& the service as well! I would choose this place again! I have been calling this whole place excellent for years!& it still does remain the best read more

Simple spaghetti and meatballs but it was perfect on a Monday night. Everything is was homemade and by the taste I could tell. Service was personal and local. read more

I was slightly disappointed in our dining experience today. First off they didn't have the first 2 beers my husband ordered off of the beer menu, then they didn't have what I wanted off the dinner menu and didn't have one of the main ingredients in my second choice. For primarily being a bakery the bread they served was stale and the butter was frozen. The service was great but we were the only ones in the restaurant. read more

I've been to More Perrecas twice and both times thought it was just ok The last time I went, our group was served meatballs which were completely cold in the center and only lukewarm on the outside. The sauces on all the pastas we tried were very bland and everybody had to salt and pepper at the table. The worst was when we asked the waitress for an extra plate and she grabbed one, brought it over, rubbed some dirt off with her bare fingers and then gave it to us. She didn't even care that we were watching. We actually told her she could take the plate back since none of us wanted to eat off it after that, and she just smiled and was like oh ok! The bread they brought to our table both times wasn't worth the hype at all, but maybe the bread from the bakery is fresher and better? Every time I go to the bakery, they're sold out of bread. You'd think they would make enough to not sell out at 1pm since its soooo famous but whatever read more

I met my parents here for breakfast this past Saturday morning, not really knowing what to expect. All I really knew about Perreca's was it's reputation for phenomenal bread. I was pleasantly surprised on entering, as they've done a very nice job decorating the place, the bench upholstery appears to be a dark leather, nice lighting, and a good looking patio off the back. The breakfast menu had some nice options, including eggs in purgatory, frittatas with various additions, and standard fair like pancakes and french toast. I had bananas foster stuffed french toast with bacon and an egg on the side - the stuffed french toast was very good, and my meal came with home fries that had a nice touch, having both regular and sweet potatoes in the mix. The wife ordered the eggs in purgatory (which I've never seen on a menu before, I've only had this previously as cooked by my mother in law) and it looked great. Parents ordered frittatas and didn't have any complaints. Service was quick and attentive, lots of coffee refills which of course is essential for a breakfast out. Overall it is a nice alternative to the diner circuit, which I also enjoy, but the food was a cut above diner food both on creativity of options and execution. I'll have to make a point to come back sometime soon to try out their dinner service. read more

I ordered scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese and bacon. It was served with fried potatoes and their awesome bread. Generous portions, too. Everything was perfect! Coffee kept coming and it was delicious, too. I'd definitely go back! read more

I was in town for a wedding and decided too look for some local good eats. Thanks yelpers, you never fail me! More Perreca's was AMAZING!!! Came here with a couple of friends and got to try a couple of things. The eggs in purgatory were delicious (for those of you who are curious about this dish, it's bread and poached eggs covered in a marinara sauce) and I got the mortadella and genoa salami grilled tomato pie panini. All I can say is YUM! It was basically a panini made with a pizza. Great for indecisive people who want a pizza and a panini. So delicious! I wish we had Perreca's in LA! It's always hard to find good Italian food on the west coast =( read more

Had lunch today with my spouse at "More Perreca's." Had been mentioned by an acquaintance who was familiar with the bakery side of things. What a profound disappointment. We ordered the "Tuscan" chicken salad for me and a personal pizza for my spouse. 25 minutes after ordering, the waitress appeared with the chicken salad and said "here's the salad to start you all off with; the pizza will be a few minutes more." Huh? Who brings out one diner's entree but not the other's? The chicken salad was pretty bleh. Not a bad flavor, I suppose. But it had the consistency of finely ground mush. No discernible pieces of chicken. Had a few cranberries mixed in -- I guess that made it "Tuscan"? Served with Italian dressing that tasted like it came out of a bottle -- like a really cheap, tasteless brand. Why? It's so easy to make rocking homemade Italian dressing. Anyhow, overall the chicken salad was not satisfying. Avoid. Back to the timeline. 10 minutes after the chicken salad arrived, the pizza was finally brought to the table. It wasn't close to being cooked through. Raw dough in the middle. The cheese on top wasn't even melted. Wtf. It's so fricking easy to cook a pizza. How could they screw it up like this, especially after they had 35 minutes to make it? The excuses from the waitress were legion. "The kitchen's been really backed up." Uh, no. Everyone else in the restaurant when we walked in was already eating before we ordered. "It's pre-made dough and every batch is different." Huh? Didn't even make sense. Plus, they're also a bakery, so don't they make their own pizza dough? Shame on them if they don't. "There's a problem with the pizza oven." What? Like it doesn't get hot enough? If that's the case, stop taking pizza orders. So, we asked to have the pizza cooked for a few minutes more. 10 more minutes later, still no pizza. So, at this point, it's been 45 minutes since we ordered. We asked for the check, minus the cost of the pizza, paid, and left. All my spouse had to eat while we were there was the piece of bread that came with my chicken salad. And the bread? Stale. Figures. As I was paying, a guy came in to order a cappuccino at the counter. "Sorry, but the machine's broken and is out getting fixed." Really? Yet on every table, there's a prominently displayed list of espresso drinks being offered. Oy. What a waste of time. Not well conceived or managed. Won't ever consider returning. read more

Eggs in Purgatory Rocks! Great French Toast, tomato pie and hash. Love the A La Vodka, and the Chicken Perrecca as well. Crowded though, and ownership service always seems fatigued to me, but trying hard and bringing great food. read more

We had loved eating here previously, and the Sunday brunch can't be beat, but our dinner on a Wed night was not what we had enjoyed before. No complaints on the generous and tasty salads, and my pasta with fresh sauce was good, but my husband said his chicken marsala tasted burnt (they closed at 7pm we were told, and our reservation was for 6:30) and tasted like they left out the Marsala wine. To be fair, he didn't tell me this until we got home so there wasn't a chance to ask about the dish or send it back. When we paid with our credit card, the waitress came to the table with an ipad type device and while she held it, I had to choose a tip by pressing an icon. I've never had to pay a tip this way and I really didn't like it as she was watching me. We looked forward to going here and felt let down, which was so surprising as we really like this place. I think we'll stick to the brunches and pay in cash (or at least tip in cash!) read more

Bland, bland, bland! No flavor for the soups or the sandwiches.. why have a chef who should be checking the flavors before they are served when the food taste like hospital food! Disappointed.. I grew up on the tomato pie and love it, I always stop in for a couple when ever I am in town or see it at several stores in the area. You can do much better! read more

Lunch: I feel like they've changed their pizza recipe. I liked it, but not as much as before. Something about the crust being thicker and not cooked crispy enough. Their sandwiches look amazing though. Still a favorite of mine for when I'm back in town. Breakfast: Several people recommended that I go for breakfast. I found it a little disappointing. The Italian toast was cut too thin and the home fries are the little tiny chopped kind that were cold and greasy. The sausage was good. The cappuccino was too wet and they only have whole milk, so it was too rich for me. I ordered a side of olive tapenade that was really really good. It was a large portion too, enough to take home, for $3. read more