John’s of 12th Street on East 12th Street in Manhattan’s East Village has been one of New York City’s most beloved Italian restaurants since it opened in 1908, serving red-sauce Italian food in a candlelit dining room that has barely changed in over a century of continuous operation. It appeared in Season 13, Episode 7 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Global Traditions,” which aired January 23, 2012. Guy Fieri found a New York City Italian kitchen doing things the old way by necessity and by choice — slow-simmered sauces, house-made pasta, and the red-sauce Italian tradition that built Lower Manhattan’s food identity across five generations.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: John’s of 12th Street
City: Manhattan, New York
Cuisine: Italian / Vegan-Friendly Italian
DDD Season: 13
DDD Episode: 7
Episode Title: Global Traditions
Original Air Date: January 23, 2012
Address: 302 E. 12th St., Manhattan, NY 10003
Phone: 212-475-9531
Website: https://www.johnsof12thstreet.com
Status: Open
What to Eat
The Eggplant Parmigiana — breaded, fried, and layered with house-made marinara and melted mozzarella — is the vegetarian centerpiece that has been on the menu since before most New York restaurants existed. The Spaghetti and Meatballs with slow-simmered marinara and hand-rolled beef and pork meatballs is the red-sauce classic that defines what John’s does. The Chicken Scarpariello with sausage, peppers, and white wine is the Italian-American combination that earns its own devoted following. The Veal Parmigiana is the traditional Italian-American entree done with the quality that a kitchen open since 1908 has had time to perfect. Find a New York City hotel on Travelocity.
Plan Your Visit
Check the website for current hours. John’s of 12th Street has been open since 1908 — it is one of the oldest continuously operating Italian restaurants in New York City.
Address: 302 E. 12th St., Manhattan, NY 10003
Phone: 212-475-9531
Website: https://www.johnsof12thstreet.com
Status: Open
Triple D Essentials
Stream the Global Traditions episode on Amazon and bring Italian cooking home with Guy Fieri Cookware.
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John’s of 12th Street appeared in Season 13, Episode 7 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Global Traditions,” originally aired January 23, 2012. The restaurant has been open since 1908.