Popular N.J. Italian restaurant is closing for good after 46 years

After 46 years in business, a longstanding Italian restaurant is closing its doors for good.

Vitale's Restaurant & Catering of Teaneck announced in a social media post Tuesday that its last day of operation will be Saturday. The post has garnered almost 300 comments from customers expressing how much they'll miss the eatery.

"We are sad to announce the closing of Vitale's," the post read. "Come in and have your favorite meal & reminisce with us. As always, we couldn't have done this for 46 years without our loyal customers, so thank you to each and every one of you."

The restaurant's owner, Tony LaMorte, told NJ Advance Media he is retiring.

"I was 22 years old when I started and I'm 67 years old now and it's time," LaMorte told NJ Advance Media.

LaMorte said that the business is still doing well but he's ready for retirement and his kids "want nothing to do with the restaurant business."

The Queen Anne Road restaurant, originally named Delia's, was opened by LaMorte's parents in 1979.

LaMorte operated the business alongside his siblings Felicia Roveda, Vic LaMorte, and Debbie Sadowski for years, but he is currently the only owner. The owner expressed how much the local community has meant to Vitale's over the decades.

"I would say half of my customers have been coming here for 30 to 40 years," LaMorte said.

"I pretty much know everybody in town here." he continued. "If it wasn't for them I wouldn't have been here for 46 years. It takes a lot of loyal customers to go for this long."

LaMorte said he is in the process of selling the business' liquor license. No further details were given on the future plans.

Vitale's was known for its Italian classics like pasta, brick-oven pizza, seafood, soups, salads burgers and more.

More food coverage

This N.J. food truck's open-face empanadas are revolutionizing the Latin favorite

A popular mac and cheese fest is coming to a new N.J. city. Here's everything you need to know.

A 'fat' new burger chain and bar is coming to N.J. Here's what we know.

Beloved N.J. family restaurant closes after eviction; was open 48 years

This everything bagel cheesesteak is greasy, glorious Jersey fusion