Restaurant review: New York Joe’s Pasta & Pizza in Grand Prairie

by Michael Clark of Michael Clark, Grand Prairie Restaurant Examiner

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New York Joe's casual atmosphere and frugal prices are just the recipe for the uptown area.

GRAND PRAIRIE — During the recent grand opening of Market Square, the old Uptown Family Restaurant was undergoing renovations. The sign on the door said something like, "Italian Restaurant Coming Soon". Now, that sign has made way for the bright display for New York Joe's. Grand Prairie should celebrate the arrival of this Italian eatery. While there are a couple competitors on the south side of town, New York Joe's casual atmosphere and frugal prices are just the recipe for the uptown area.

The restaurant is located on Main Street, between the Uptown Theatre and Market Square. Inside and out, this is an attractive location. The decor in the dining room is nostalgic and locally relevant. JFK memorabilia and knick-knacks from yester-year cling to the walls. Once seated, a waitress promptly takes your drink order. While looking over the menu, your drinks and a basket of fresh bread arrives. Salads are quickly prepared, so filling up on bread is hard to do. Entrees are hot, and also speedily delivered to your table.

New York Joe's Baked Ziti (6.49) arrives bubbling, releasing the smell of browned mozzarella straight to your nostrils. Slightly sweet ricotta blends with tangy tomato sauce to create a familiar Italian flavor.

Angel Hair Pasta with meat sauce (6.49) is just the right mixture of meat and sauce. The noodles are the perfect consistency, and the sauce is not too spicy. Serving sizes are just about right for an adult.

A perfect ending to your traditional Italian meal, is a slice of Black Forest Cheesecake (3.29). Near the chocolate graham crust, cherry halves line the bottom of the cake. The topping is milk chocolate with dark chocolate shavings.

Rounding out the menu are: New York style pizzas, sub sandwiches, salads, stromboli, calzones, and appetizers like fried calamari

This is the second New York Joe's location in the Metroplex; the other being in Fort Worth on Alta Mere, near Ridgmar Mall. Main Street is well-known for Mexican restaurants like Monterey's and Don Juan's. Now, perhaps it will also be recognized for great Italian food.

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