Paterson honors Patsy's Tavern owners for longstanding business during Italian flag-raising ceremony
Known for its handmade Italian cuisine and signature thin-crust pizza, Patsy’s has built a loyal following over the decades.
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A Paterson restaurant that has served generations of customers since 1931 is being recognized for its longstanding place in the city’s history.
Mayor Andre Sayegh honored Steve and Jill Barbarulo, owners of Patsy’s Tavern & Restaurant, with the Key to the City during an Italian flag-raising ceremony on Monday, Oct. 12, celebrating Columbus Day and Paterson’s Italian-American heritage.
Pasquale “Patsy” Barbarulo and his wife, Mary, opened the restaurant in 1931. Three generations later, their grandson, Steve, and his wife, Jill, continue to run the family business, preserving its traditions and serving customers from Paterson and beyond.
"We just keep the legacy going. We're Patesonians. We serve the Paterson people for years and we'll end in Paterson. But we're not going anywhere," said Steve Barbarulo.
Known for its handmade Italian cuisine and signature thin-crust pizza, Patsy’s has built a loyal following over the decades. The restaurant still uses its original 1931 brick ovens, and its distinctive antique decor has helped make it a destination for visitors from across the country.
The restaurant has also attracted interest from television and entertainment productions, including requests from HBO and Netflix to film inside the historic building.
During the ceremony, Sayegh recognized the Barbarulos for preserving the legacy of a family business that has remained part of Paterson’s Italian-American community for 95 years.
For the family, that legacy continues through its loyal customers, employees and commitment to the traditions passed down through generations.
