Can’t Get a Reservation? Iconic Red Sauce Restaurants in a Jar

Chef Boyardee started off as a restaurant owner selling sauce in recycled milk jars, but today's jarred sauces are a bit more sophisticated. Not only are there dozens of upscale, gourmet brands, but many restaurants are now selling high quality – and high priced – jarred sauces based on the recipes they serve patrons in their restaurants. Here are 8 jarred sauces from restaurants where it’s impossible to get a reservation: 

Rao's

Rao's in New York City is a ten-table restaurant with literally impossible-to-score reservations. Regulars were awarded table assignments from the owner, Frank Pellegrino, leaving them with standing reservations. These patrons can give away their seats to friends, but even if they don't, the restaurant fills up every night. According to Bettina Makalintal at Eater Rao's has been selling jarred sauces since 1992 helping to make the tiny restaurant a well-known household name, even beyond the local neighborhood. The line of sauces includes tomato-based sauces like sausage and garlic, as well as sauces with dairy like Alfredo, Four Cheese, and Vodka sauce. 

Carbone 

While Carbone may have recently lost a Michelin Star, it remains another destination that is nearly impossible to get into. Even food writer Helen Rosner spent years trying to figure out how to score a reservation until a friend offered her a secret email address. Luckily, in the Spring of 2021, the restaurant launched a line of sauces cooked in small batches to ensure restaurant quality in the jar. Of course, if you prefer someone else to cook the pasta, there are other locations for the popular New York restaurant in Miami, Las Vegas, and Hong Kong. 

Rubirosa 

Founded as a pizzeria on Mulberry Street in New York City, the restaurant is known for classic red sauce favorites like manicotti and braciole. Food writer Jason Diamond over at Taste recently described the marinara from Rubirosa as "a perfect sauce for a simple plate of spaghetti and meatballs". In addition to their sauce, the restaurant also sells macaroni and olive oil.

Il Mulino

This classic red sauce joint in the West Village often serves up celebrities. Chefs Fernando and Gino Masci opened the restaurant in 1981, and have several locations in New York City, and a few more scattered in destinations like Boca Raton and Sunny Isles Beach. Only one jarred sauce is sold under the restaurant's branding – tomato basil sauce. Unlike most other restaurant sauces, Il Mulino's sauce is USDA-certified organic.

Michaels

This Brooklyn restaurant is known as the center of political power in Brooklyn because of the many high-ranking city officials who end up dining here including former Mayor Bill de Blasio and current Mayor Eric Adams. But, for those looking to avoid any talk of politics, Michael's has a line of jarred sauce that includes puttanesca, marinara, and gravy. Unlike most shelf-stable products, some of Michael's sauces are only available in the refrigerator section, like the vodka sauce. That might make Michael's a bit fresher but harder to keep in the pantry for last-minute pasta. 

Patsy's

This classic red sauce joint helped popularize lobster fra diavolo. Founded in 1944, the theater district restaurant was also made famous by Frank Sinatra who often ate there when in the city. Patsy's offers a full line of sauces including tomato basil, vodka, marina, and a classic fra diavolo sauce.  

Carmine's

The original Carmine's was founded in 1990 on the Upper West Side by restaurateur Artie Cutler, and two years later, he opened the Times Square location to serve theater district patrons. The classic red sauce joint is known for large-size portions, especially giant meatballs.  Carmine's offers four varieties of tomato basil, vodka, marina, and fra Diavolo sauce.

Meatball Shop

Childhood pals Daniel Holzman and Michael Chernow launched the casual eatery in 2010, but since then the restaurant has grown into a mini empire, and like its fancier cousins, the Meatball Shop has a signature line of sauces including a special sauce designed just for pizzas.