Joe Tecce's Ristorante & Cafe

I was at Joe Tecce's for a company holiday party in December 2005. It must have been just before the renovation. While, the party was lovely and the passed Hors D'voures tasty I didnt truly get to experience Joe Tecce's since the menu was already selected for us. I returned this past Friday and to my surprise, the restaurant had outdoor dining, a great roomy bar and a warm inviting italian menu. I was impressed with everyone I met from the valet attendant to the bartender and our waitress. I will most certainly be back to Joe Tecce's sooner rather than later. People should definelty consider this as a pre or post event meal if you have a Celtics or Bruins game or concert at the Garden!

Pros: Valet Parking! Outodoor dining!

Posted 06/22/09

ok, for all of the people who have been to Italy on a vacation......this is Boston, not Italy. I understand that Italy has different food depending on the region you visit and I love the food in Italy too (I lived there I didn't just go on some bogus touristy vacation) but when you are in America you are eating Italian-American food unless your italian grandmother is cooking :) This restaurant has great italian-american fare and a great atmosphere. I think Tecce's falls below the radar because of it's location and poor advertising and that's a shame. Some things to try.....I love the calamari and antipasti and the pizza is very authentic unlike some of the close by pizzerias....they also have a good red wine selection and the prices are reasonable for the area. Definitely give it a try!!!

Posted 12/03/08

For the idiot who gave this place a one star who has been to italy once in their god forsaken life. You are quite wrong. I had the chicken marsala and it was the best dinner I have had in years. My family are true Italians and all of them adored the mouth watering food. So if you like your dollar menu chicken marsala when you went to Italy and stayed at the Holiday Inn then you are in for a rude awakening. You obviously have not the slightest idea what a good meal consists of since you probably nibble on your own T urds. So next time you go to the North End save us all the grief of showing your face at Joe Tecce's because no one likes a complainer.

Pros: Great Decorations

Cons: Nothing...

Posted 08/22/08

I happened to be at Joe Tecce's the other night with a few friends and, 'now', my former girlfriend and had a fantastic meal. I had the Chicken Braciolettini which I like with the marinara sauce, unless of course my mother is making it and then I prefer the marsala. My friends had the Veal Rolletini, even though I pleaded with him not to, and Lobster Fra Diavolo. They really enjoy their meals. The bad part about the meal was my former girlfriend kept telling us how this is nothing like Italy, and how the food is nothing like it is in Itally and so on. She really was embarrassing. Even the waitress was rolling her eyes. I forget what she even ate as I really didn't care, but she started complaining as soon as the specials were read to us. And then she said the waitress didn't even tell them to us. What a strega; which ironically enough is another North End restaurant with good food and atmosphere, but I digress. We had the Calamari as an appetizer which is sauteed in a marinade of garlic and oil, vinegar, and spices. We had a few bottles of the Chianti Classico Riserva which we also enjoyed. The waitress was very understanding and instinctively knew we wanted to get out of there due to how my girlfriend was behaving. She purposely egged her on by standing over my shoulder reviewing the check. My friends and I thought that was very funny. Needless to say, my friends and I enjoyed the food, the service and atmosphere and it gave me an opportunity to see another side of my girlfriend who I convinced shortly there after that I was just not good enough for. I love Joe Tecce's!

Pros: Valet Parking, sidewalk seating during summer, nice staff, good food, convenient location

Posted 03/26/08

My boyfriend and I were in Boston for the weekend to see a show and a friend recommended Joe Tecce's. I can't tell you how strongly we disagree.

Let me start by saying that I have been to Italy and that I really enjoy TRUE Italian food. Actually, I also like the American versions as well, for the most part. Joe Tecce's was neither of these...it was just plain awful.

We had the fried ravioli for the appetizer, which was average. I had Chicken Marsala for dinner and it was horrible. Horrible is too kind of a word for what this was. It was by far the worst Chicken Marsala I have ever had. The sauce was cold and way too sweet, the chicken seemed to have been broiled before it was grilled and it had NO flavor or breading. The mushrooms weren't cooked and the ham was fatty. Their dinners don't have traditional sides except for the "pasta of the day"...which was a very small portion of cold ziti and plain marinara.

The worst part was the service. When we first walked in, we were "greeted" by a woman, who instead of saying "good evening" or "how are you", said "Yeah, can I help you?"...We actually had reservations, which we told her and she brought us to a table without another word. Our waitress was not any better...she never told us about the specials, never asked us if we'd been there before or made any attempt at being polite. We must have been bothering her, at least that's how it seemed. We were also very rushed to order right away. It isn't the type of place where you sit, relax and enjoy the atmosphere- they can't wait to get you out! Then at the end of the meal, when she brought our check...she actually STOOD there while we determined her tip. As soon as we closed the book, she was over within seconds to take the check from us. She proceeded to LOOK AT THE CHECK RIGHT IN FRONT OF US as she walked away. Extremely, extremely rude.

If I can prevent ONE person from going to Joe Tecce's, this review was worth my time.

Posted 11/17/07

WOW!!! Has anyone been to Joe Tecce's in The North End lately? First let me begin by telling you about the new development on North Washington St.. The entire area has been completely transformed from a "coketown" to a "metropolis paradise". Wide open park spaces, a front row view of the Zaikin bridge, and easily accessible from all angles. We haven't been there for years due to the horrific traffic jams that have plagued that area for years, but now you can see the downtown skyscrapers, garden center, and charleston in one panoramic view There was convenient valet service we where taken aback at the sight of the huge patio that ran the length of the edifice slated to open the following night. A new towering canopy in majestic burgundy sporting the Joe Tecce emblem, and they've torn down the walls and installed sliding glass doors, breathtaking. We where greeted graciously and immediately sat window side. The flower boxes on the patio where in full bloom. The bread was fresh Italian accompanied by grated Parmesan cheese, butter, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil. and bread sticks. An excellent bottle of Pinot grigio which we had to literally spell out for the tyro-English speaking Russian server that was on a student exchange. Antipasti was loaded with salmi, ham, marinated artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, tuna, eggs, garlic and oil mushrooms. We shared the Zuppa de Pecces, A seafood medley of mussels, clams, shrimp, calamari, everything under the sea. in a tantalizingly tomato broth over pasta al dente, needless to say we had our server box most of the meal. Dessert called for the cannoli and tirimasu and espresso, delightful. The renovations have not reached the washrooms though, which are located down stairs Joe Tecce's has not lost any of its old-world charm & charisma with all its different eclectic rooms remain in tact. Kudos to Salvadore Tecce for bringing his father and family's legacy into the 21st century and a the New North End.

Pros: The new sliding windows and new patio.

Cons: Washrooms need to be thwarted into the new century.

Posted 08/03/07

I took my wife for the first time to the restaurant. She loved it. Our server was Guy who gave us our own personal tour of the restaurant and clued us in on some of the renovations and expansion of the restaurant. Close the Logan Airport and one of the best restaurants in the North End! Absolutely sensational!

Posted 06/06/06

Was not overly impressed with this restaurant - it was simply average.

Posted 02/24/05

This place has the best Calamari I have ever had, and i have had plenty. I was visiting from out of town and a friend suggested Joe Tecce's for the best Italian in Boston, and he was right. The service was outsanding. I am going back to Boston in 2 months and cant wait to visit Joe Tecce's again.

Pros: Friendly Service, Great Food, Great Bargain

Cons: , not easy to find

Posted 07/25/04

Joe Tecce's has great atmosphere, very authentic as if it is directly from Italy. The portions are extremely generous and almost impossible to finish, but the food is so good you can't stop!! To top off the meal their cappaccino is fabulous! Definately A++!!

Pros: Food, Atmosphere, location

Posted 01/07/03

I eat there often and have to say that I never had a complaint... the food is fantastic! This is the reason it has been around for so long.. they are definetly doing something right!! They put on a great wedding also! You will not get better quality than at Joe Tecce's for a banquet.. I can tell you that. Food is great!

Pros: valet parking, quality food, lounge

Cons: dark

Posted 11/12/02

Tecce's does have good food and service, however I feel like a tourist whenever there. The ambiance is a bit cliche.

Posted 10/01/02

This traditional Italian place is pretty good in the land of the great. I could see it being a nostalgic place for people to go, or being a place that people go to because it is familiar and they always have, but there really isn't much here. It wouldn't be a bad spot, but it's in the North End, so it has that billing to live up to, which it does not. It is a good spot for a family to go, but I wouldn't recommend it for a date.

Pros: inexpensive, north end

Cons: nothing special

Posted 08/02/02

the atmosphere is excellent ,also the food is very good, to complimant the wonderful service. excellent dessert.

Posted 07/28/02

Many new restaurants may open and close in Boston but there is a reason why Tecce's is still around. The food ! If you visiting Boston, You should make the time to stop in.

Posted 05/20/02