Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was the tradition of the Roman Cafe.
The family-owned restaurant has filled the stomachs of hungry Western New Yorkers looking for satisfying Italian-American food at reasonable prices since 1977.
So which road will you take? If you are on a gotta-have-pasta bent, the Roman Cafe features all the favorite hits served in “lite” or heavy portions.
The red sauce is house made, and is used to create the simple, yet satisfying Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce and Spaghetti Parm.
Cheese Ravioli also gets the house sauce, as does Eggplant Parmesan. A Baked Ziti features ricotta along with the sauce that’s topped with three cheeses before hitting the oven.
The house specialties include Baked Lasagna and the Pasta Combo, a plate with lasagna, silky fettuccine alfredo and chicken parmesan all in one dish. A true tour of Little Italy.
Pastas are served with bread and butter; add a meatball or sausage to any dish.
Other Italian specialties include a hearty Chicken or Sausage Cacciatore. Both Chicken Parmesan and Veal Parmesan come with a side of spaghetti. A Chicken Marsala comes over a bed of linguine.
If your road leads away from Italian food, the menu can accommodate your tastes.
Seafood includes a Shrimp Scampi done with a twist of green peppers and tomatoes over linguine, while a Shrimp Louisiana is both sweet and spicy.
Scallops, shrimp and clams are deep fried, while the Crab-Stuffed Flounder is baked. All are served with potato, rice or pasta.
Fridays feature a beer battered or breaded haddock fish fry. Also served are a Haddock Italiano with tomatoes, onion and black olives and a Haddock Almondine with almonds and seasoned butter.
American-style dinners include a Jack Daniels Steak topped with peppers, onions and melted mozzarella.
Also featured are classic Baby Back Ribs, a Chopped Sirloin with Mushroom Gravy and Roast Beef in Mushroom Gravy.
For something lighter, the menu serves up entree style salads like Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing, a Greek Salad with Greek dressing and feta cheese, and a Taco Salad served in a tostada shell. An Antipasto can be served for two or four diners.
If you can’t make dinner, Roman Cafe is open for lunch Monday through Saturday. The menu is filled with favorites like burgers, a tuna melt, chicken BLT salad, turkey club or patty melt. Enjoy a soup and sandwich combo too.
The dining room is air conditioned, and there is a summer patio to enjoy outdoor dining. So set your chariot for the Roman Cafe and follow your stomach. You won’t be disappointed.
A pizza party
The Roman Cafe features a variety of traditional and specialty pizzas to fill your stomach and fulfill your pizza cravings.
Rolling in the dough
Traditional, thin or double dough, the Roman Cafe will give your pie a base you’ll love for all your favorite toppings, including cup-and-char pepperoni.
Award-winning wings
The Roman Cafe is known for its award-winning wings that pair perfectly with pizza.
The Roman Cafe is the past winner of wing contests held by the Tonawanda Chamber and American-Harley Davidson of North Tonawanda. Choose from traditional wings or barbecue, Jamacian jerk, Jack Daniels, raspberry chipotle, or honey garlic.
Hours
Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 3 to 9 p.m.
Roman Cafe
797 Payne Ave., North Tonawanda • 716.692.7048 • romancaferestaurant.com
The Insider’s Dish is a sponsored series produced by Amplified Buffalo to bring you behind the scenes of Western New York’s beloved restaurants and bars.
