A long-time staple in the Sea Girt community for over 16 years has announced its closure scheduled for February 27th, 2024. Citing a shift in focus, Joe Leone’s announced on Instagram that it would be closing its Sea Girt location, at 527 Washington Boulevard. The closure allows the team behind the staple Italian delicacies the ability to focus more on the exceptional food and experience in its other locations, according to its owners. The local gastronomia was known for its fresh sandwiches and salads that were a quick grab-and-go option for those headed to the beach. Read on for what we know about the closure of Joe Leone’s Gastronomia in Sea Girt, New Jersey.
^ The Point Pleasant location of Joe Leone’s
The Announcement
View this post on Instagram
On February 8th, 2024, Joe Leone’s posted on its Instagram, announcing the closure of the Sea Girt location. The post read, “Friends & Guests of Joe Leone’s Gastronomia: February 27, 2024 will be the final day of operation of Joe Leone’s Gastronomia of Sea Girt.”
It continued, “We are sad that this chapter of Joe Leone’s is ending. We’ve come to this difficult conclusion in order to better focus our resources on delivering the exceptional food and experience our guests have come to expect from Joe Leone’s in our Pt. Pleasant Beach and Manasquan locations. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Sea Girt community and greater area for its tremendous support over the past sixteen years. We hope that the many loyal guests we have welcomed and friends that we have made at Gastronomia throughout the years will extend to our other locations. We invite you to visit our full-service Joe Leone’s Centro Market location at 113 Main Street in Manasquan, just less than a mile away.”
Read More: A Trip to Pop’s Corner, Point Pleasant’s Newest Diner Spot
The Journey to Joe Leone’s
In 1997, Joseph Leone Introna and John Hilla began what was to be a culinary journey — delighting families and friends down the Jersey Shore for many years to come. A true family business, the inspiration came from Joe’s grandparents which was then supported by Joe’s brother-in-law, John. In fact, the word family became an acronym, standing for ‘Forget About Me I Love You’ — and, according to its owners, Joe Leone’s employs the F.A.M.I.L.Y.® message as a company mantra to set each other up for success and create a vibrant and positive workplace.
The Fan Favorites
If you’re a newbie to Joe Leone’s, first and foremost — its basil pesto alone is worth a trip to one of the other locations. This vibrant condiment makes anyone tasting it forget that mustard and mayo even exists — as the perfect complement to any one of its sandwiches. Joe Leone’s turkey on ciabatta is a classic, and the fresh homemade mozzarella has a delicious balance of salt and creaminess. If you want to take it up a notch for dinner, the pork loin with roasted garlic bread stuffing (or the stuffing flavor of the month) on Mondays as well as the mini ricotta and spinach-stuffed arancini and eggplant pie are musts.
View this post on Instagram
Despite Joe Leone’s closing its Sea Girt location, the two remaining locales will still cater and travel. The locations can also accommodate gluten-free and vegetarian needs.
See More: A List of Must-Try Jersey Shore Seafood Restaurants
Where to Find Joe Leone’s Now
For those still looking to enjoy Joe Leone’s, you will still have their other locations open in Point Pleasant ( 510 NJ-35, Point Pleasant Beach) and Manasquan (113 Main Street). For a full Joe Leone’s experience, the Centro Market on Main Street is your best bet.
