This Classic Italian Spot Serves NJ's Top Chicken Parm

A beloved family-owned restaurant in Ocean County is home to the best chicken parmesan in the Garden State.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:06pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic chicken parmesan dish repeated in a tight grid pattern, utilizing flat, vibrant, and unnatural neon color palettes overlapping with heavy black photographic outlines to turn the everyday comfort food into modern pop art.A vibrant celebration of the classic chicken parmesan dish that has earned a beloved New Jersey restaurant the title of serving the state's best.Point Pleasant Today

After years of searching, a local food critic has crowned Graziano's Italian Restaurant in Point Pleasant as the home of New Jersey's best chicken parmesan. The family-owned establishment has been serving up authentic Italian cuisine to Ocean County residents since 1966, and its chicken parm dish is a standout favorite.

Why it matters

New Jersey is renowned for its exceptional Italian food, so finding the absolute best chicken parmesan in the state is a significant culinary achievement. Graziano's commitment to quality ingredients and traditional recipes has helped it stand out in a crowded field of Italian restaurants across the Garden State.

The details

Graziano's Italian Restaurant has been family-owned and operated since its founding in 1966. The restaurant is located on Route 88 in Point Pleasant, Ocean County, and is known for its authentic Italian dishes made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The chicken parmesan, in particular, has earned rave reviews from local diners and food critics for its perfectly crisp breading, tender chicken, and rich, flavorful tomato sauce.

  • Graziano's Italian Restaurant opened in 1966.
  • The restaurant has been serving its acclaimed chicken parmesan for over 50 years.

The players

Graziano's Italian Restaurant

A family-owned Italian restaurant in Point Pleasant, New Jersey that has been serving authentic cuisine to the local community since 1966.

Lou Russo

A local food critic who has been a longtime patron of Graziano's and has crowned the restaurant's chicken parmesan as the best in New Jersey.

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What they’re saying

“I know these are big words, especially in New Jersey, but I think I found New Jersey's best chicken parmigiana.”

— Lou Russo, Food Critic

The takeaway

Graziano's Italian Restaurant has proven that family-owned, tradition-focused establishments can thrive in New Jersey's competitive Italian food landscape. Its unwavering commitment to quality ingredients and classic recipes has earned it the title of home to the state's best chicken parmesan, a coveted culinary crown in the Garden State.