NORTH HAVEN — You know the building: tan and brick, with an oval “j.roo’s” sign up top, at 243 State St. Inside there’s a row of TVs over a long bar, a dining room of booths, and a menu that runs from garlic knots to rib eye. The restaurant’s logo says “Established 2002,” and its website calls it a “Family Owned Local Favorite Since 2002.” Nearly 1,800 Google reviews later, it has become a State Street fixture.
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Google sums it up as “part Italian-American family restaurant, part sports pub with pool plus live music on weekends.” A lot of North Haven knows J Roo’s for wings and a game, or a pizza on a Friday. Fewer people know the family behind it, how big the party room in back is, or which dishes regulars write about most.
The Mazzaro family behind J Roo’s
J Roo’s is a Mazzaro family business. State business records list JRoos Partners LLC, registered in March 2015 at 243 State St. and classified as a full-service restaurant, with four principals: Salvatore Mazzaro, Adam Mazzaro, Jason Mazzaro and Ashley Caraballo, all of North Haven.
The family’s ties to that stretch of State Street go back further than the current company. Sal’s Cafe & Vic’s Pizza LLC, registered with the state in February 2001 at 243 and 249 State St., lists the same four names, including Salvatore J. Mazzaro. Two more family companies, Mazzaro Properties LLC (2012) and JAA Properties LLC (registered this June), are registered to the same address as property companies.
That is the “family owned” on the website: Mazzaro family companies have been registered at the address since 2001, and the restaurant itself has carried the J Roo’s name since 2002, according to its own logo.
A restaurant and a sports bar under one roof
The bar is a big part of the place. J Roo’s says it pours a full bar of beer, wine and craft cocktails, and that its tap list and craft cocktail menu change daily. The live tap list is posted on its website and on the Untappd app, so beer drinkers can check what’s pouring before they go.
The bar keeps late hours. The kitchen is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The bar stays open until midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, according to the restaurant’s website. It closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.
The menu is long and squarely in family-restaurant territory: appetizers for the table, salads, grinders and platters, burgers and dogs, Italian specialties, chicken and veal, seafood, steaks and ribs from the grill, and a full pizza list. The restaurant posts daily specials by email and on Facebook, and it now offers gluten-free pizza in the small size.
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What locals say
J Roo’s holds a 4.2-star average across 1,796 Google reviews. The topic reviewers bring up most by far is wings, mentioned in 43 reviews. Next come the mac and cheese (11), onion rings (10), steak fries and calamari (9 each), lobster bisque (7) and the mashed potato pizza (5). Six reviewers mention the outdoor seating.
Alex wrote that an aunt made the introduction to J Roo’s, and that the shrimp scampi “has me craving a return.” After going back, Alex said the dish “still tastes amazing” and added, “I think I found my permanent scampi place.” The lasagna got a thumbs-up too: “Cheesy top. Great tasting pasta sauce.”
Danielle stopped in for a Saturday lunch and wrote that the service “was attentive and warm,” and that the menu was diverse enough that everyone found something. Her table started with dessert first and splurged on the truffles. “HIGHLY recommend!” she wrote.
Not every review is glowing. Lauren gave a mixed three stars, saying service was slow on her visit and the calamari was overcooked, but her husband’s Coach burger was “one of the better burgers we’ve had in a while.” She also enjoyed the Dirty Dirty Martini. Lakeisha praised the service as “friendly, attentive, and quick” and liked the drinks, but found her food under-seasoned. And Shanita wrote a few months ago that a room she had booked for a bridal shower was given to another party. If you are planning an event, the restaurant’s website says every reservation is a request until a manager confirms it, so get that confirmation in writing.
What to order
Prices below are from the main menu posted on J Roo’s website. The restaurant notes that prices on third-party apps may not be current, so check the in-house menu or call for the latest. Pasta entrees and dinners come with chicken soup or a salad, and dinners include a side.
Garlic Knots (4 for $13). Served with a side of marinara, and a natural opener while the table decides. Other popular starters include the fried calamari ($16) or the NY-style version tossed with marinara and hot cherry peppers ($17).
Chicken Parmesan ($27; veal $29). Breaded cutlets topped with the house marinara and melted mozzarella, here served with penne. If you want it in a sandwich, the Pick Your Parmesan grinder is $15, or $17 as a platter.
A loaded red pie. J Roo’s pizza list runs from a plain mozzarella pie ($14 small, $16 medium, $19 large) to specialty pies like the Super, with pepperoni, bacon, sausage, onions, mushrooms and sweet peppers ($18 small, $21 medium, $26 large). Five reviewers mention the white Mashed Potato Pie, with Monterey Jack, house-made mashed potatoes, garlic, onions and crispy bacon ($16 small, $19 medium, $24 large).
Red sangria. The bar’s cocktail list changes daily, but this glass of red sangria is the drink J Roo’s pictures on its own drink page.
The party room and catering
The piece of J Roo’s many people don’t know about until they need it is the group dining room. The restaurant says it measures 30 by 40 feet, holds up to 75 people and is meant “for all your event needs.” One rule to know ahead of time: no wall hangings. Group dining menus and a request form are on the restaurant’s website.
J Roo’s also does full-service catering for “all party types,” for takeout or delivery, with its own catering menu and request form.
If you go
- Where: J Roo’s Restaurant, 243 State St., North Haven
- Kitchen: Sun.–Wed. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Thu.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
- Bar: Sun.–Thu. 11 a.m.–midnight; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–1 a.m.
- Phone: 203-281-5411
- Online: jroosrestaurant.com, with online ordering, reservation requests, group dining and catering forms
- Good to know: Gluten-free pizza in small; the tap list and cocktails change daily; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter
J Roo’s is also hiring. Its website says it is looking for experienced bartenders and front- and back-of-house staff.
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