Reservoir Introduce
For New Jersey locals seeking authentic, hearty, and classic Italian cuisine, **Reservoir** in South Orange Village is a cherished and historic local gem. More than just an **Italian restaurant**, Reservoir delivers a traditional dining experience defined by generous portions, a cozy, old-school atmosphere, and a menu full of the beloved dishes that define Italian-American comfort food. It’s a place where **Locals** gather, groups celebrate, and families feel right at home.
Reservoir has built its reputation on serving timeless Italian favorites, ranging from perfectly prepared veal and chicken entrees to an array of pasta dishes and, notably, a widely praised pizza pie. Despite its traditional atmosphere and unique cash-only policy, the restaurant maintains high popularity, with patrons frequently noting its **Fast service** and commitment to quality. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick lunch or settling in for a satisfying dinner, Reservoir provides a genuine taste of classic New Jersey Italian dining.
Reservoir is ideally situated in the heart of **South Orange Village, New Jersey**, making it easily reachable from surrounding communities. The address is:
- **Address:** 106 W South Orange Ave, South Orange Village, NJ 07079, USA
- **Phone:** (973) 762-9795 or +1 973-762-9795
The location on West South Orange Avenue provides accessibility through various means. The restaurant is well-equipped to accommodate all guests:
- **Accessibility:** The establishment features a **Wheelchair accessible entrance**, **Wheelchair accessible seating**, and a **Wheelchair accessible restroom**.
- **Parking:** For those driving, there are multiple parking options available, including a **Free parking lot**, **Paid parking lot**, and **Paid street parking**.
Reservoir provides a full range of dining services, ensuring that their classic Italian food is accessible to everyone in the New Jersey area:
- **Dine-in:** Enjoy the unique **Casual, Cozy, and Historic** ambiance with full **Table service** and comfortable **Seating**. Due to its popularity, reservations are often recommended, especially on busy nights.
- **Takeout & Delivery:** Convenient options for enjoying the menu at home, often noted for **Fast service**.
- **Dining Options:** Open and popular for both **Lunch** and **Dinner**. They also offer delightful **Dessert** options and **Catering** services for events and parties.
- **Family Services:** The restaurant is **Good for kids**, offering **High chairs** and a **Kids' menu**, making it an excellent choice for family dining.
- **Payments:** Importantly, Reservoir is a **Cash-only** establishment. They also accept **Checks**. Customers should be prepared with cash prior to arrival.
- **Offerings:** The menu is rich in **Comfort food** and includes **Vegetarian options**, **Coffee**, and options for a **Quick bite** or **Small plates**.
The culinary identity of Reservoir is defined by its extensive selection of classic Italian dishes and generous portions, which locals love. Key menu features and highlights include:
- **Classic Entrees:** A wide selection of chicken and veal entrees are offered, all served with a choice of spaghetti or salad. Customer favorites include the **Chicken Francese**, **Veal Marsala**, **Chicken Parmigiana**, and **Veal Parmigiana**. They also offer unique house specialties like **Chicken Murphy** and **Jerry's Chicken**.
- **Beloved Pizza:** The pizza is a popular feature, often seen at nearly every table. While only one size is available (equating to a chain "medium"), it is noted for its **solid crust** with a crunch and generous sauce and cheese. Topping options range from **Pepperoni** ($10.50) and **Sausage** ($10.50) to the fully loaded **Super** ($14.50).
- **Authentic Pasta Variety:** The menu features an array of pastas—penne, fettuccini, spaghetti, linguini, shells, fusilli, rigatoni, and angel hair—served with various sauces, including **Penne Vodka**, **Fettuccini Alfredo**, and signature house sauces like **Penne ala Barbara** and **Fusilli a la Leo**.
- **Seafood Specialties:** The "Fresh Fish" section includes classic Italian seafood preparations such as **Shrimp Fra Diavolo**, **Shrimp Scampi**, and **Calamari Over Linguini**.
- **Great Dessert:** Patrons appreciate the selection of classic Italian desserts, which are highlighted as a key feature. Options include **Tortufo** ($4.50), **Cannoli** ($2.50), and **Spumoni** ($2.50).
- **Generous Portions and Value:** Reviews consistently mention the **good food with generous portions**, ensuring a satisfying and economical meal.
- **Historic, Cozy Vibe:** The **Historic** and **Cozy** atmosphere makes the dining experience feel classic and intimate, appealing strongly to **Locals**.
For New Jersey residents planning a visit to this classic South Orange Italian spot, here is the essential contact information:
- **Address:** 106 W South Orange Ave, South Orange Village, NJ 07079, USA
- **Phone:** (973) 762-9795 or +1 973-762-9795
**Reservoir** is the definitive choice for New Jersey diners in the Essex County area who crave a truly traditional, non-pretentious Italian-American meal. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s an institution that provides both **Comfort food** and a classic neighborhood experience.
You should choose Reservoir for its **classic entree execution**—the Chicken Francese and Veal Marsala are consistently praised by returning customers. The restaurant’s status as a local favorite for a **solid pizza pie** also makes it a strong contender for a casual family dinner. The generous serving sizes guarantee that you will leave satisfied, and the overall value for the quality and portion size is excellent.
The restaurant’s accommodating nature—being **Good for kids** and featuring strong **Accessibility**—makes it highly practical for the community. Just remember the one essential rule before visiting: bring cash. This **Cash-only** policy is part of the restaurant's unique charm, reminding patrons of its deep, established roots in South Orange Village, NJ.
Reservoir Menu
Appetizers
- Antipasto $7.50
- Small Salad $2.50
- Mixed Salad
- Tony Salad For One
- Tony Salad For Two
- Arugula Salad
- Arugula Salad with Grilled Chicken
- Fresh Mozzarella
with roasted peppers and anchovies
- Fresh Mozzarella with Roasted Peppers
- Bernstein Salad
- Bernstein Salad with Sausage
- Garlic Bread
- Zuppa Di Clams
white or red, sweet, medium or hot
- Clams Arreganata
- Mussels
- Mozzarella Sticks
- Scungilli (Salad or Marinara)
- Calamari (Salad or Marinara)
- Calamari and Scungilli (Salad or Marinara)
- Fried Calamari
- Broccoli or Spinach Saute
- Special Homemade Soup
- Minestrone Soup
Sandwiches
- Grilled or Fried Chicken Cutlet $9.50
with roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella, arugula salad (balsamic dressing)
- Veal Cutlet $9.50
with roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella arugula salad (balsamic dressing)
- Chicken Parmigiana $9.00
- Eggplant Parmigiana $8.00
- Sausage and Peppers $8.00
- Veal Cutlet Parmigiana $9.50
- Turkey $8.50
- Sausage Parmigiana $7.50
- Veal Cutlet, Plain $8.50
- Salami and Provolone $8.00
- Submarine $8.50
ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone or any combination
- Meatball $7.00
- Sausage $7.00
- Meatball Parmigiana $7.50
Pizza
- Cheese $9.00
- Pepperoni $10.50
- Sausage $10.50
- Garlic $10.00
- Extra Cheese $10.50
- Mushroom $10.50
- Shrimp $13.50
- Broccoli $10.50
- Spinach $10.50
- Vegetable Combo $13.50
broccoli, onion, garlic, tomato
- Onion $10.25
- Peppers $10.25
- Anchovies $10.25
- Meatball $10.25
- Super $14.50
- Half Super $12.50
- Bacon $10.50
- Black Olive $10.50
- Eggplant $10.50
- Each Additional Item $1.50
Beverages
- Milk
- Iced Tea or Coffee
- Espresso
- Cappuccino
- Soda By The Pitcher
- Soda
- Coffee
- Tea
- Hot Chocolate
Fresh Fish
- Shrimp Fra Diavolo
- Shrimp Marinara
- Shrimp Scampi
- Fried Shrimp Platter
- Shrimp Parmigiana
all above entrees served with spaghetti and salad
- Shrimp Francese
- Calamari Over Linguini
- Scungilli Over Linguini
no spaghetti or salad
- Calamari and Soungilli Over Linguini
no spaghetti or salad
Entrees
all above entrees served with spaghetti or salad spinach or broccoli 2.50 extra
- Chicken Parmigiana
- Chicken Cacciatore
- Chicken Scampi
- Chicken Murphy
- Chicken Francese
- Chicken Marsala
- Chicken Piccata
- Chicken Savory
- Chicken Scarpariello
- Grilled Chicken Over Broccoli Or Spinach
- Jerry's Chicken
- Chicken Arnold
- Eggplant Parmigiana
- Eggplant Rollitini
- Sausage and Peppers (White or Red)
- Veal Cutlet
- Veal Parmigiana
- Veal with Lemon
- Veal Francese
- Veal Marsala
- Veal Pittiola
Pastas
penne, fettucini, spaghetti, linguini, shells, fusili
- Rigatoni, or Angel Hair, with Tomato Sauce,
with oil and garlic, or marinara
- Rigatoni, or Angel Hair, with Tomato Sauce
with meat sauce
- Rigatoni, or Angel Hair, with Tomato Sauce.
with broccoli or spinach, or mushroom sauce
- Penne ala Barbara
- Lasagna
- Cheese Ravioli
- Baked Penne
- Penne Vodka
- Rigatoni a la Jake
fresh ground sausage, basil, hot peppers, garlic and oil
- Rigatoni a la Cohen
fresh tomato, hot peppers, onion, basil, garlic and oil, topped with grill chicken
- Fettucinni Alfredo
- Fettucinni with Sausage and Broccoli
in a gorgonzola cream sauce
- Fettucinni Amatriana
light red sauce with prosciutto, onions, basil
- Fusilli a la Leo
chicken, tomatos, onions, basil, eggplant, in a light red sauce
Side Orders
- Meatballs (2)
- 1 Meatball
- Sausage
- 1 Meatball 1 Sausage
- Hot Peppers with Home Fries
- Hot Cherry Peppers $1.50
- French Fries $2.75
- Home Fries $2.75
- Side Order Grilled Chicken $6.00
Desserts
- Tortoni $2.50
- Spumoni $2.50
- Tortufo $4.50
- Cannoli $2.50
- Cake $3.00
- Extra Plate Charge $2.00
appetizers and children not included
Reservoir Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great dessert
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Assistive hearing loop
Offerings
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Historic
Crowd
- Groups
- Locals
Payments
- Cash-only
- Checks
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Parking
Reservoir Photos










Reservoir Location
Reservoir
106 W South Orange Ave, South Orange Village, NJ 07079, USA
Reservoir Reviews
cashschoolpieclamsBYOBsandwichchicken murphycredit cardsvealchicken parm
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Cash Only restaurant that has good food with generous portions. Their pizzas are at almost every table asks look great.We had Chicken Francese , a couple salads and veal marsala.Would return.
October 18 · Victor CHopped in here on a Friday evening without reservations and were lucky to get seated immediately (with baby in tow). We know we were lucky as a few guests shortly after us had 30 min waits.Service was quick and friendly - they were very accommodating to find a table with room for a stroller. We ordered a cheese pie and some garlic bread. Within a minute a giant loaf of warm bread came to the table with butter packets. Our 9 yr old was in shock at the quick turnaround but we explained this was the complimentary stuff! He devoured half the loaf alone despite our pleads to save room.The pizza came our fairly quickly as well. They only have one size, which I equate to q chain "medium". I saw the yelp pictures with a bit of char on the edges of the pies (and was secretly hoping for this much to be what would have been my wife's dismay if she knew). No char, no worries. The crust was solid, had a crunch near the edges. They were generous with the sauce and cheese and some brown cooked spots on the cheese were just right. Solid pie-tasted much like a homemade pizza you make at the house (its a compliment). Our only note was that the sauce could use a bit more flavor. It did taste of plain tomato sauce. I think a pie with some toppings would bridge any gap there.Overall I would say a 7.4 on the portnoy scale. One (dozen) bite(s) everyone knows the rules.
June 06 · Ritesh MathurReservoir is some of the best authentic Italian dishes you’ll have in North Jersey. Whether you get a pizza, antipasto, or their delicious chicken arnold, this South Orange staple never disappoints. The portions are definitely shareable, but it tastes so good you might just eat it all yourself. The service is always friendly and the atmosphere is an old school Italian vibe. It’s like eating Sunday family dinner every night of the week.
April 19 · Daniel SeanI’ve been going to this restaurant for 24 years…for 24 years I’ve gotten the SAME thing (almost always take out) with an occasional specials add on yet never had the pizza. And I’ve NEVER been disappointed. Always top notch and more than satisfying. Taste and portion. Chicken Murphy, side of linguine, side of spinach and clams oreganata 10/10.
October 11 · Corea PickeringWe just picked up takeout and my husband noticed a bone in his chicket cutlet sandwich which is concerning the type of chicken that’s used! Please please please stay away from their cutlets! Thank goodness he didn’t choke! Very upsetting to say the least. A bone should not be present in a chicken cutlet. This was not a chicken on the bone meal. Extremely unacceptable.
June 20 · Lauren G
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