Chef / Owner Joseph Spano has been tantalizing taste buds with his flair for Italian fare since 1989. It was then that he first opened Spano's Ristorante Italiano in Jackson, NJ. It was his love of Italian cuisine, the use of only the freshest ingredients and mammoth portions that put Spano's on the map. This humble beginning blossomed from the teachings of his mom, Carmela, who could be frequently spotted sitting at a back table rolling meatballs, peeling garlic, or anything else she could do to help. Guests loved to stop by the table to visit with Carmela as she worked. Everyone in the neighborhood knew and loved Carmela's sauce and the various Italian delights that originated from her Naples, Italy heritage. His mouth watering sauce is Mom Spano's original recipe and hasn't changed.

Of course, Joseph is also influenced by his father’s Barese heritage. The people of Bari consume large portions of fresh vegetables, legumes, and pastas such as broccoli rabe, escarole and beans, eggplant, and homemade pasta.

Everything that Joseph endeavored to create seemed to delight his patrons, from his creative sautees to his baked dishes and sauces. In May of 2000, in a leap of faith, Joseph sold his 11 year old thriving business in Jackson and created a new home for his customer’s in Point Pleasant Beach, on Arnold Avenue, where his dad, Frank "Pop" Spano would delight guests with a warm welcome that always made you feel at home. Regulars soon learned to save a little wine for when Pop would visit their table to ask how they were, and catch up on family business. Between the fabulous food, large portions and old world Italian ambiance, Spano's Ristorante Italiano became a quick success.

On December 10, 2001 Chef Joe Spano opened Spano's Ristorante Italiano in Point Pleasant Beach maintaining his popularity with the same recipe that built his business...the freshest ingredients, only the top quality meats and cheeses, generous portions, creative and delicious daily specials, and a great staff. Most of our staff, has been here since we opened, and a good portion of our servers started as bus kids and worked their way up. Every day Joseph is humbled by the outpouring of people who wait an hour or more to get a table and enjoy his culinary delights. Joseph still cooks for many customers from his Jackson days, 25 years later, who travel into Point Pleasant for one of his wonderful home cooked meals. Spano's never advertises, all of our advertisement is word of mouth. That means the accolades are generated not by us, but rather by you, our loyal patrons.

To show his appreciation for the good fortune he is blessed with, Joseph regularly gives back to the community, with donations to, and sponsorship for, our local schools and community events. Even with the rising costs of doing business, Joseph strives to keep his prices reasonable, so whether you're taking a first date, celebrating an anniversary, we have many customers who "popped the question" in one of our booths at Spano's, celebrating a birthday, or just dining out with the family, Spano's Ristorante Italiano is honored to be your destination of choice. Where we strive to make our regular customers feel like family, and invite our new customers to become regulars.