Gaetano's Restaurant

It's worth hanging out at Gaetano's just to banter with the endearing kooks who belly up to the bar. There's the guy who insists on having his burger well-done and a half dozen "pats" of butter with his basket of white bread; the woman who orders shot after shot of Jack and never seems to slur or stumble; the old-timer who starts every sentence with "Remember when..." And his buddy who kicks his stool, a reminder that Gaetano's isn't that place anymore. But while the barflies definitely keep the conversation interesting, it's also worth stepping behind the bulletproof front door for the pizzas, pastas with arrabbiata sauce and the "Tasty Treats," ribbons of roasted New Mexican chiles wrapped around a fat, fennel-specked Italian sausage link tucked inside a gold-tinged crust slicked with olive oil and dotted with parsley. The kitchen serves them with a respectable marinara that's pelted with chile flakes, but these Mexican/Italian treats are just as tasty naked.

• Cuisine(s): Italian, Pizza

  Hours: Mon-Thu 11pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 24 Hours

  Price: $$

  Payment Types: All Major Credit Cards, cash, ATM/Debit

• Attire: Casual

  Features: Smoking, Patio/Sidewalk Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Accessible, Kid Friendly, Vegetarian Friendly

  Serving: Dinner, Lunch

  Alcohol: Full bar

• Reservations: Accepted, Recommended for Large Parties

  Parking: Free, Lot Available