Casey Fullum Arturo’s, located at 41 Central Avenue in Midland Park, has been a Bergen County staple for over 40 years. Locals love the authentic Italian food and family atmosphere. It’s one of the only Midland Park restaurants to have a liquor license, so its full bar, wine list, and delicious cocktails are another draw. Read on for more about this special spot in Midland Park.
About Arturo’s
Arturo’s was established in 1982 by patriarch Arturo Allegra and his wife Nicolina, who built the business from the ground up after leaving Sicily. Day-to-day operations are now run by three generations of the family – Arturo’s son Mario, his wife Debbie, and their sons Mariano and Stefano, and of course, Nonna (Nicolina) is still involved in hostessing and making her signature Pizza Rustica Dolce.
The Italian decor, including a large, opulently decorated sitting area outside the washrooms, really takes you back and makes you feel like you are right at home at Nonna’s house. The night we visited, the dining room was completely full of couples, families, and large gatherings enjoying a Sunday night meal in classic Italian style. There is live music on Thursday and Saturday nights.
Read More: The Best Diners in Bergen County, New Jersey
Casey from BG dropped in for a delicious Sunday dinner and sat down with Mariano to talk all about the history of the restaurant and their favorite dishes.
Mariano explained that all pastas are handmade and all desserts are made in-house. The menu is huge, full of all of the Italian classics you would expect, but also some more modern, unique takes like the Escargot Bourguignon or the Truffled Burrata Ravioli, offering something for everyone. The standout item, which was also the top recommendation from Mariano as well as other wait staff, was the Shrimp Gratin, which did not disappoint. Served piping hot and covered in garlic and breadcrumbs, this was Casey’s favorite.
Going along with the old-school Italian vibe, diners are treated to complimentary bread, salami, and even arancini. While the chicken parm is the most ordered dish on the menu (and often recommended by locals and on social media as one of the best chicken parmesans in Bergen County), we also loved the Chicken Nonna, chicken stuffed with asparagus, prosciutto di Parma, sweet red peppers, spinach & fontina in a cream sauce with white wine, mushrooms & leeks, as well as Shrimp Arrabiata.
For dessert, we walked in knowing we were ordering peanut butter tartufo, but Mariano also insisted on the warm chocolate chip cookie with gelato (specially made in-house by Stefano), and we have to admit it might be our new go-to.
There’s a reason why Arturo’s has been around for so long and continues to be one of our top recs for classic and authentic Italian food with warm and inviting vibes. According to Mariano, “most of the people I know see their whole family a few times a year. We, on the other hand, get to spend all this time together while making other families that dine with us happy, and what could be better than that?”
Arturo’s is open for dinner 6 days a week (closed Mondays) and located at 41 Central Avenue, Midland Park.
See More: The Best BYOB Italian Spots in Hoboken + Jersey City
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