Sanducci’s Trattoria

I stopped at the Sanducci Pizza Kitchen with an open mind, bear in mind that I have no idea if this pizza maker has anything to do with the Sanducci’s Trattoria, but if it does then you should know.
It claims to have a Brick oven! Hey, a regular oven encased in bricks is not a brick oven!
I stopped in and ordered a small pepperoni pizza to-​go, and waited for it. So it’s not as if I didn’t get it straight out of the oven. I drove exactly one mile to my home, went inside and sat down to eat. Not ten minutes elapsed.
My wife and I both agreed that the box would have tasted better.
When you make a product that is only made with dough, cheese and sauce, they each have to be tasty to make the pizza memorable.
Seriously, the dough was like eating wallboard, the sauce was tasteless, the cheese was salty, and the pepperoni was the oiliest I’ve eaten. Cheap pepperoni gives off more oil because it’s made with more fat than meat.
If the pizza was good I would have said so, but I don’t have any skin in the game, this pizza wasn’t inedible.

We loved the food, the staff were very friendly and the ambiance was nice. the pizza thin and regular was phenomenal, the oil mix that came with the bread was amazing, I think it was a mix of garlic red pepper and sun dried tomatoes.
We were able to try the penne vodka and he chicken parm both of which were great. We will definitely be back for just pizza takeout at their pizza shop next door and definitely to eat again in the restaurant!

Great Menu, family sized portions available. Nice Italian feel to the place. Would definitely come again.

Great family owned restaurant serving Italian food.

I am giving this review a year after we tried to have Christmas Eve dinner there with our extended family of 16. I say tried because we never got into the place!!! We had reservations, but after waiting and standing for over an hour with a hundred extra people ~ the walls were LINED with people and we never seemed to get any closer to sitting at our table!!! They were seriously overbooked!!! So sad, but we all ended up leaving and got seated right away at a small family-​friendly restaurant in New Milford that we love to go to and had a fabulous dinner there!!! Am thinking about trying Sanducci’s again, but NOT on a holiday ever again!!!

Needs some work to reclaim its former favorable rating
Just had dinner at Sanducci’s. Service was adequate but not stellar. We ordered a pizza for an appetizer and the server didn’t ask us what size. She brought a medium. The chopped salad with crumbles of blue cheese did not have a blue cheese flavor. I don’t think it is really blue cheese but some kind of cheaper substitute. This is the second time I have had in the past 4 weeks. Tonight I asked the server to make sure it was blue cheese but it came out flavorless. The ravioli Norma had no flavor and a wet doughy texture. This used to be a good value in River Edge but I think it has lost some of its luster due to its low flavor profile food.

Very good restaurant. We ordered a rather large lunch for delivery, the penne a la Vodka and Chicken Marsala was simply outstanding. We also had the Chicken Christina it was to die for. Try everything !

I used to go to Sanduccis when it was in the old location almost weekly– as I could walk there in less than 5 minutes and the food never failed to disappoint me.
I hadn’t been to its new location and was eager to see it. It has a very nice atmosphere and décor. Our service, from the host to our server was fine for their part on a Friday evening at 6PM *just* before the crowds showed up. Unfortunately, our food and beverages were just «meh» as well as some of the «general policies» we encountered. Completely unexpected from what I had been accustomed to years ago. Appetizers of calamari and chopped salad are good and arrived quickly. The simple table bread basket is nice, but nothing to get exited about where bread is concerned. The tap water *needs to be filtered* as it tastes terrible and this carries into their coffee and other beverages that utilize water.
As far as our meals? There is no way the pizza is made in house and it leaves behind an absolutely *TERRIBLE* after-​taste. We believe it is only the crust but it is NASTY — not like it used to be in the old location a block or two away. The Chicken Franchise is tasty and served with a mashed potato. When we asked for a small side of pasta in its stead, we were told that we could not have it as the potato was already sent out with the chicken. We would have gladly paid to purchase this side of pasta if we were «permitted» to do so, but they wouldn’t send it out even after stating as much!!! Pumpkin ravioli, as a seasonal dish, had better be special and it was. I would definitely recommend ordering from the specials menu before the regular menu and NEVER consider ordering the pizza!
We could not have separate checks once the check was printed out and presented on the table. Perhaps we should have stated we wanted separate checks before we got it, but we hadn’t mentioned that we were ready for our check either. Now, we did not feel as if we were being rushed out at all– we just believe that when we declined to order any deserts, it was an interpretation that we were finished for the evening.
With this restaurant being walking distance from me, I really wanted to enjoy my dinner but I can’t say that I was happy enough to give them another shot.
I don’t believe I will return.
And hours later, I still have bad pizza after taste

Traveled to Sanducci’s from Newark airport during a two night stay. With some minor challenges in finding the restaurant it was worth arriving at this restaurant. The wait staff was delightful and helpful but there were challenges communicating with the bus staff. No biggie.
Given the day I had I was looking forward to a nice meal with a glass of wine or two. I should have done my homework — it’s a BYOB. You can’t order wine by the glass however they do offer bottles. With my drive not about to do that and I didn’t want to incur the spend for a glass or two.
Ordered the grilled calamari with jalapeños for starters. Nice prep and presentation but was quickly reminded that a glass of water wasn’t doing this appetizer justice. A big fan of calamari especially if not fried. These were large pieces in a fairly mild garlic sauce but the strips of jalapeños gave it a nice bite.
At the recommendation of my server I had the black linguini with ‘chunks’ of lobster. A little trepidation about the amount of lobster I would get but when the dish arrived indeed there was abundant lobster woven into the black linguini covered in a very flavorful rosy cognac sauce. A little heavy on the sauce but I really enjoyed it. Again the absence of a glass of wine… I even asked that should another guest leave some in a bottle behind to let me know. I’m not that proud!
Good spot. I’d certainly go back if in the area. Would like to explore some of the other offerings on the menu. And I would come packing a bottle!

My favorite Italian place in Bergen cty it doesn’t blow you away but you can tell that the ingredient are fresh and that’s it’s a legit Italian restaurant. I usually get the chicken valdastano a stuffed chicken along with some pasta, which is usually enough to fill me without having dessert.
The staff are also friendly and knowledgeable which are also big pluses

So fast delivery!!!
Good taste. I like the Hawaiian pizza and white pasta with shell.
The sea foods is so fresh.

Great place. What Italian cuisine should be. Professional staff with an informal friendly touch. If you were headed to a local Olive Garden do yourself a favor and hit this place instead.

Very good food, nice atmosphere. I liked the previous, larger location better, but this one is still nice. The service? Leaves something to be desired.
Waitress seemed like she didn’t want to be there. Aside from lack of refilling water or even bothering to take a glance at the table (on a quiet night, mind you) service wasn’t necessarily HORRIBLE, but it wasnt good. Her attitude also seemed quite condescending.
If you’re working in a customer facing, service industry, at least PRETEND to be pleasant. Very few probably legimately ENJOY waiting tables, but for the sake of customers’ experience, your employer’s reputation, and if for nothing else, your own MONEY, you should probably at least TRY to show you at least TOLERATE it.
As a former waiter, I know what it’s like, and almost always tip at least 20% if the server is at least some combination of competent, friendly, and professional. This night? Not a penny over 15%. I wasnt displeased enough to tip under 15%, but didn’t feel she deserved a penny over.
I’ll be back, but hopefully have a better experience next time.

I have to update this review, i constantly dine here and its been about 2 years since my last review!
This Italian restaurant has always left me and my dinning companions satisfied and happy at the end of our meal. From the friendly staff, to the delicious dishes everything has been positive.
Recently i have been getting there famous black linguine. It comes with lobster however i sub out lobster and add in crab. I love the crab they serve in the pasta dishes. Its so abundant! My bowl of pasta was filled with crab. Another favorite for me and my diners when we come here is the pesto sauce. Best pesto sauce in the area! Its garlicky and fresh and sticks to the pasta perfectly.
Also, Sanduccis is really good about tweaking a dish to your liking. I have swapped sauces and did add on’s to a few dishes and they were more then happy to accommodate.

I’m really starting to think all the people leaving bad reviews have 1. Never been to a real restaurant (no chipotle does not count) and 2. Have never been to Italy or had real Italian food (no Olive Garden does not count).
I have been here twice and ordered takeout multiple times and the food is always delicious and always in amazing portions. My only main issue is that it is a bit pricey. I have tried multiple different dishes including calamari, the black linguini with lobster, capellini Mona Lisa, and a seafood paella.
I did try my in-law’s pizza on one visit and I was not a huge fan but it did remind me a lot of the pizza I received in Italy — Americans tend to change dishes like the Chinese food you get is not what you get in China and it is the same with pizza. We are used to the American version of pizza whereas the true Italian version is much different and very similar to what sanducci’s offers.
I love this place — large dining areas, friendly staff and delicious food. I would also suggest asking your server what they recommend. Will absolutely be back.

BYOB!!!
I came in on a Sunday afternoon (we went at 2pm and it was open… not sure why the website says 4pm) with a party of eight. The waiters were nice and patient with such a large party and were always there to help us open a bottle of beer or wine.
I got the Shrimp Marinara which was good, but nothing amazing, yaknow? Like I’m not so sure it was worth $ 18.95. My girlfriend ordered the cheese ravioli, which she said was good, but she’s had better. She also said that it came out cold…
I’d definitely come back, but not sure how often. The food was good, not great, and the prices were okay. The BYOB was the best part.
There was a ~32″ TV in the corner that had the Giants game on, which was nice!

The food was amazing and the service was excellent.
Leo was our charming and attentive waiter.
We ordered the three course meal. Great chopped salad with gorganzolla cheese, Rigatoni with homemade Vodka sauce and Chicken Breast Parmigiana (not the typical pounded out, over breaded cutlets) enough to feed a family of five.
Can’t wait to come back…
BTW…anyone know the pepper sauce recipe they serve with the bread???

Short and sweet with all that you need to know:
Good service, family like ambiance, but really mediocre food. How does one manage to make veal NOT taste delicious? I was surprised that despite the amount of sauce slathered over my meal it was overall my bland. Same for my companion’s gnocci. For Bergen County this Italian restaurant’s cuisine is definitely a major disappointment. Save the money and time and get Italian take-​out from any hole-​in-​the-​wall place as many can probably beat the value and taste of the dishes here. A shame too because I liked the service staff.

Came in for a friday date night with my husband. We had a great experience. Restaurant is fairly big and has a family feel. They have classic oldies music playing lightly in the background.
Its also a BYOB witch is always a plus! We were waited on by Patrick, all I can say is he provided us the BEST service, 5 stars to him.
In regards to the food, it was amazing. We did try entrees that were highly rated, but I have no complaints in any sense. I had the black linguini which is superb and he had the Sanducci’s seafood paella which is a risotto and it was equally delicious and a more than generous portion. The food is reasonably priced especially taking into consideration the quality.
Bottom line: its a must try in bergen county.

I live about 10 blocks away from this restaurant. At dinner It is always packed and there are no reservations. Sanducci’s is bring your own bottle which is nice, however though I have tried several dishes on at least 4 separate occasions (I had to keep trying to try and figure out if i was missing out on something because of all of the positive reviews) I found the food here very disappointing to me.
Although I cannot recall exactly what I ordered each time I dined, I can remember ordering one of the signature dishes, the ‘Homemade back linguine with chunks of Brazilian lobster tails” (which by description sounds absolutely delicious). With this dish specifically, I was very disappointed that my black linguine arrived with almost NO lobster in it. There were certainly no «chunks of Brazilian lobster tail». It was almost as if some sort of essence of lobster liquid was cooked into the pink cognac sauce for flavor. This is one of the most expensive entrées on the menu and I suppose I just found the description to be a bit misleading; akin to the disappointment of ordering a bowl of New England clam chowder that arrives with no chunks of clam.
I know there is a limitation on what you can provide with a $ 20 entrée that is supposed to contain lobster meat, but I would have gladly paid $ 30 to receive what I had envisioned after reading the enticing description.
If you read some of my other reviews you’ll note I am very fair and I think I have a good understanding of the price versus quality ratio. I always take that into account when I am reviewing a restaurant.
I admit, when it comes to Italian food I can be difficult to please, for this reason I rarely eat at Italian restaurants. It seems I developed a mild fascination with Sanducci’s popularity when personally, I cannot seem to find something on the menu that I would order a second time.
I know it is inexpensive and family-​style but the food here just does not justify me spending ANY money. Anyone that comes from an Italian family will immediately detect that this food is not of high-​quality; I would not even call it mediocre. At this point I am beyond puzzled with its popularity… Maybe people enjoy the family atmosphere, but to me going out to dinner is as much about the food quality as it is the ambiance.