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Italian cuisine and culture are the backbone of many New Jersey towns, especially in Hudson County. Throughout Bayonne, Hoboken, Union City, Jersey City, and more, residents can find authentic eats rooted in Italian-American history, dating back to when Italian immigrants first established their lasting culinary presence in the Garden State. Over the years, newer restaurants + bakeries have also popped up all over these areas, helping preserve the very culture that New Jersey is known for. Among the ever-growing list of spots is the Hudson County-born Italian eatery The Sicilian Guy, which has plans to open in the former International Bagel + Cafe space at 211 Newark Avenue in Jersey City. Read on for what to know about The Sicilian Guy coming to Downtown Jersey City, New Jersey.
The Details
International Bagel + Cafe closed its Newark Avenue doors in Jersey City on March 6th, 2025. Marking the bittersweet end of an era, the owners of this spot aimed to “…hand over the torch to a younger generation,” as per the closing announcement left on the restaurant’s window during this time. A new restaurant called The Sicilian Guy is now moving into the space, ushering in the next chapter of this JC storefront.
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The Sicilian Guy was formerly located in Bayonne at 1026 Avenue C, but announced via Instagram on April 9th that it would relocate its authentic eats to Downtown Jersey City. The Sicilian Guy is hoping to open at the end of July, and according to a post by @hdsid_jc earlier this month, signage is already up at the Newark Avenue site.
Upon opening, the menu will feature Sicilian-style sandwiches, soups, desserts, and more, all made with imported Italian ingredients. Served as sandwiches or on platters, customers can look forward to Sicilian specialities like the Italian Meatballs served with organic tomato sauce, aged grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and fresh-baked Brooklyn artisan bread, as well as daily specials like lasagna, stuffed peppers, baked ziti, pasta with broccoli rabe + sausage, muffuletta sandwiches, chicken cutlet sandwiches, and more.
Behind The Sicilian Guy
The Sicilian Guy is owned by Executive Chef Riccardo DePaoli, who immigrated to Jersey City from Palermo, Sicily, in 1968. Riccardo’s culinary journey started when he was just a kid, operating behind the scenes in his family’s pizzeria in Bayonne and his mother’s JC-based food truck.
After studying culinary arts in New York City and working with some of the nation’s most renowned chefs, Riccardo opened his own food truck, “The Sicilian Guy,” in the early 90s. The truck was located at the Jersey City waterfront in front of Goldman Sachs + 101 Hudson Street and operated for 25 years, establishing itself as a Jersey City staple.
During the pandemic, Riccardo opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Bayonne, which he admitted wasn’t his first choice in restaurant locales. Eventually, the owners of International Bagel + Cafe approached him with the opportunity to take over the space in Jersey City. Now, as he and his team renovate the new Jersey City locale, it’s a full-circle moment for Ricardo and his culinary legacy. “I’m glad to be back in Jersey City, back in Downtown where people know me,” he shared with The Hoboken Girl.
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