All In The Family: Generations of Tradition
Down The Shore – There are many Jersey Shore restaurants that follow generation after generation of family traditions. Dedicated local families have been and continue to be the inspiration behind many local favorite restaurants. Dining Out Jersey Shore visits the Bossone, Lubrano, and Schiano Families.
The Bossone Family of Squan Tavern
{15 Broad Street, Manasquan; 732.223.3324; www.squantavern.com}
The Bossone Family will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Squan Tavern this coming June. Dominic and Marguerite Bossone opened Squan Tavern in 1964 and it still resides in its original location on Broad Street in Manasquan.
Once lined with Chianti bottles, the warm, inviting 130-seat dining room has evolved through the years. The walls of this cozy dining room are now filled with family pictures, sports memorabilia, and antiques that tell the story of the life of a family that has served the Manasquan community for generations.
Their traditional Italian menu items include delicious recipes from Grandma Yolanda that are three generations young. It consists of a robust marinara & tomato sauce, meatballs, sausage & peppers, Italian Ricotta cheesecake, spumoni & much more. Their pizza is renowned for its thin, crispy crust.
A Family Business
Four of their five children (Dom, Ro, Trish, and Joe) have made careers out of working in the family business. Their son Joe and his wife Patti took over ownership in October 2019. Eight of fifteen Bossone grandchildren also have worked at Squan Tavern. As stated on their website, Joe and Patti are thrilled that the next generation, their children Meredith & Nick, have made Squan Tavern their careers and “will keep the Squan Tavern legacy going for future generations.” Check out a sample of Squan Tavern’s delicious entree and bar menu in our Dining Guide.
The Lubrano Family of Lubrano’s Trattoria
{2439 NJ-34 South, Manasquan; 732.292.0050; www.lubranostrattoria.com}
Domenico Lubrano and his wife Cara raised their four children, Antonio, Nico, Alessia, and Luca, at the Jersey Shore. Since 2000, their commitment has been to serve the community with authentic Italian cuisine at their beloved establishment, Lubrano’s Trattoria.
Domenico’s inspiration for cooking comes from childhood memories in Naples, Italy, where his parents and grandmother instilled the value of sharing a meal with friends and family. That warm Italian tradition is what you’ll find at Lubrano’s Trattoria. The cozy dining room includes booths and table seating. Rustic exposed brick lines the back wall, showcasing the Lubrano Trattoria name. The bustling kitchen and relaxed atmosphere with made-to-order entrees make dining here truly an experience to be shared with friends and family.
The Lubrano family works with NJ suppliers as well as trusted suppliers in Italy for authentic quality ingredients. The family takes annual trips to Naples, resulting in a diverse and bona fide Italian menu. Favorites include everything from the brick oven pizza to the homemade pasta dishes (the Bolognese sauce is our writer’s pick), baked pasta, chicken, seafood, and the must-have rosemary bread baked proudly in-house. Reservations are recommended at this popular BYOB!
The Schiano Family of Mossuto’s Market & Cafe
{2029 NI-35, Wall; 732.449.8058; www.mossutosmarketnj.com}
Mossuto’s Market & Cafe was originally the A&S Deli on Route 35 in Wall. Biagio Schiano and his sister Rosella worked helping their father at the deli when they attended high school at the Jersey Shore. In 2003, Biagio took over the family business and turned the deli into a full-service restaurant, market, and bar committed to staying true to his family’s traditions. According to their website, the name Mossuto comes from Biagio’s grandfather; it was his nickname growing up in Italy.
Their mission is to keep bringing Italian traditions to the Jersey Shore. Their wood fire pizza oven was imported from Naples, Italy. The wine list is hand-picked by Biagio himself due to his yearly visits to Italian vineyards. Whether you visit Mossuto’s Market & Cafe for fine Italian meats, cheeses, and groceries or to enjoy an authentic Italian dinner with a beverage of your choice, Mossuto’s keeps locals returning for more. Diners can also enjoy weekly live music, so check their website for a schedule of events.
Let Dining Out Jersey know if you have a Dining Out story to share! tarajean@diningoutmedia.com