A popular local eatery known for its creative and customizable takeout options is officially closing its original location at 356 Varick Street in Jersey City. After more than five years of serving the community from this spot, gtk is bidding farewell to its founding home. While the closure marks the end of an era for the business, there’s a lot more on the horizon including a new location in Jersey City and a name update. The Hoboken Girl chatted exclusively with gtk founder Andrew Martino to get an update on what’s happening with the eatery. Read on for more about what’s happening with gtk.
Photo Credit: gtk
About gtk
gtk, which stands for Ghost Truck Kitchen, was launched in 2019 at 356 Varick Street in downtown Jersey City. Andrew Martino, the founder of gtk, wanted to offer high-quality takeout food made with organic ingredients. gtk is known for items like their aforementioned wrap, wings, and mac and cheese. It also serves a variety of delicious, health-conscious options like salads, wraps, and protein-packed rice bowls. Their menu also has gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan-friendly options.
Photo credit: @sayheysocial
In 2023, a gtk location in Hoboken at 1014 Washington Street as “go to kitchen.” At the same time, the team announced plans for another location at the 295J apartment building in Jersey City, located at 295 Johnston Avenue in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood.
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What’s Happening
While the team had its eye on expansion, various problems plaguing the project have resulted in redirection. First, the original location at Varick Street will close. According to information provided exclusively to The Hoboken Girl, the closure stems from a variety of building-related challenges that made it impossible to continue operations. The Hoboken location will continue to provide delivery to Jersey City residents. For the time being, Hoboken will serve as the central hub for gtk’s operations. The team has worked to expand delivery options to cover a wider range of Hoboken and Jersey City.
Photo credit: @sayheysocial
Second, the new location at 58 Maple Street inside the 295J Apartments in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood of Jersey City is still in development but will be solely operated by gtk. In June 2024, The Hoboken Girl reported: “While there is no timeline on the opening just yet, a source close to the project shared with HG that Andrew Martino, founder and operator of GTK, “is working on a new model that will help satisfy the neighborhood’s need for family-friendly dining, event space, and great takeout all-in-one space, in partnership with Southeast-based legacy BBQ brand Sticky Fingers Ribhouse.”
Sticky Fingers Ribhouse is no longer a part of the development in Bergen-Lafayette, and gtk will be operating the space as a sole proprietor.
Back to Basics
When gtk opened its Hoboken location, the brand underwent a redefinition, moving away from “Ghost Truck Kitchen” to “Go-To Kitchen” as a way to distance itself from some of the negative perceptions surrounding ghost kitchens.
However, with the transition of the original Jersey City location and the evolution of the business, Hoboken Girl has learned exclusively that gtk has returned to its original name — Ghost Truck Kitchen. The decision reflects a decision to return to the brand’s roots, embracing the identity that first made it a local favorite.
Photo credit: @sayheysocial
The team hinted at the possibility of this via the FAQ section of its updated website, which went live in July, writing: “When we first opened in 2019, we called our concept “Ghost Truck Kitchen” because like ghosts, no food trucks actually existed in our kitchen. But, we wanted to create a takeout experience that mimicked that of a food truck festival — where everyone can easily order the best of the best of whatever they’re craving. So, our culinary team created a variety of menu concepts that allowed us to serve our neighborhoods in just this way! In 2021, after some confusion around our name and realization that our true customers call us “gtk”, we shifted our brand name to go-to kitchen. But, as Jon Bon Jovi said, who said you can’t go home, right? Keep an eye out for updates here in 2024 on our updated brand vision for the future. ”
Andrew Martino said, “the Ghost Truck Kitchen concept was inspired by the tastebud overload experience that is eating at a food truck festival, minus the ‘everyone standing in different, long lines’ part – this idea that everyone can find any and all of the unique flavors they could be craving all in one place. But, on top of confusion that we had an actual truck, the connotation around ‘ghost kitchens’ in the hospitality industry that just any business can pop up out of a commercial kitchen led to confusion around our chef-driven concept.”
As gtk navigates this transition, founder Andrew Martino shares “the team remains deeply committed to the community that has supported them from the beginning. The closure of the Varick Street location may be a temporary setback, but we’re looking ahead with optimism and a focus on doing what we do best, with a space that allows us to serve more people in more ways.”
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Leo’s Grandevous Italian Restaurant: One of Hoboken’s Oldest Local Eateries
Leo’s Grandevous Italian Restaurant, located on the corner of 2nd and Grand Streets, has been at the heart of Hoboken for 85 years. With a history as rich and enchanting as the Italian food served every day, this mainstay attracts hundreds of people each year and has stood the test of time. Leo’s is Hoboken’s oldest, family-owned restaurant and has been run by Leo DeTerlizzi and his descendants since 1939. We had a chance to sit down with Grace Sciancalepore, Leo’s granddaughter, who currently operates the business with her brother, Nick, to learn more about her life growing up in Hoboken, her legendary grandparents, and what it’s like to be a part of Hoboken history. Read on to learn more about Grace, her family, and the nearly century-old family business.
Taking Over a Business
Leo, an Italian man who emigrated to the United States in the 1930s, met and fell in love with Tessie, a beautiful Italian-American woman who happened to catch his eye during a soccer game at the soccer club in Jersey City. After getting married, the couple lived above the restaurant which, at the time, was operating as more of a ‘hang-out’ for local men. Leo got a job at the bar and, when the previous owner returned to Italy to fight for Mussolini, Leo was offered an opportunity to take over the business in the early 1930’s.
“At the time, it was more of a hang-out,” Grace shared with The Hoboken Girl. “It was a pool hall where people played cards and hung out at the bar. When Grandpa took over, he turned it into more of a restaurant and Grandma did all the cooking.”
Grace talked about the hard work her grandparents put into building the restaurant and some of its first customers. “At the time, we would get a lot of the pier workers, dock workers, and factory workers. They would come in after their shift was over for a drink and maybe something to eat.” Since the days of Hoboken being a factory town, a lot has changed, but Grace looks back fondly on her childhood in Hoboken.
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Growing Up in The Mile Square
“It was a tough town, but everyone looked out for each other.” This was one of the first descriptions Grace shared when asked about her childhood in Hoboken. Grace is a third-generation Hobokenite and her sense of pride and love for her hometown was apparent. She went on to talk about the role her community played in her upbringing.
“There was such a sense of loyalty amongst the community. Every night, people went out on their stoop and the kids would just play on the sidewalk and they had a hundred eyes on them, at all times,” she shared. “And that really made Hoboken what it’s all about.” Times were different, especially for girls as Grace grew up in the 70s and 80s. “As a little girl, growing up on Garden Street, I can remember there was a specific way I had to walk to the restaurant to visit Grandma and Grandpa so my mom knew eyes were on me the entire route,” she shared. Even in the restaurant, women and girls were not allowed to sit in the bar area. “Grandpa was very strict about that. I would come in and go straight upstairs to do my homework,” Grace remembers.
The Family Business
Leo’s is one of the oldest, family-run restaurants in New Jersey. “It was understood that you would work for the business at some point,” Grace noted. As she grew older, her responsibilities at the restaurant grew with her. “You know, we would start with small things like filling the bread baskets, stuff like that, and then, eventually, you would become a server.” Grace’s mother, Martha, also played an integral role in keeping the business running smoothly. “You really cannot talk about the success of the business without talking about Mom,” she said.
Grace shared an emotional memory of her mother who passed away just about 18 months ago. “She really was their ace in the hole.” Grace’s mother stepped in to help run the restaurant wherever she was needed. Grace fondly remembers her mother working at the restaurant every Friday during her childhood. “Mom would go to work on Fridays because it would be packed [at the restaurant]. It was always ‘daddy-daughter’ night on Fridays while my mom was at work and that was really special.”
Grace stepped away from the business for a while after getting married and having children before coming back as co-owner about nine years ago. During her time away from the business, she remained involved in the Hoboken community as a teacher at Hoboken Catholic for many years before working at Stan’s Sports Center and St. Anthony’s School. She talked about her unlikely return to the business. “I was going to take it easy! Maybe redo my house,” she laughed. But, the business had other plans for her. Just as she was finishing up her education career, her cousin, Sergio DeNichilo, who was a co-owner of the restaurant, decided to retire and her brother, Nick, asked her to come back. At first, she agreed to join part-time, but is now fully engrossed in the business and loves it.
The History
Walking into Leo’s is like stepping into a piece of Hoboken history. The walls are lined with dozens of photos of Hoboken’s most recognized face and voice — Frank Sinatra. Grace explained that Frank and Leo grew up around the same time and “within the same circles.” As he was getting his start, Frank, his band, and crew would come to Leo’s after-shows for food and drinks. The restaurant became known as his hangout until he moved out west to continue to grow his career.
“Unfortunately, he never really came back to Hoboken after moving out there. Many think he may have been ashamed of his humble beginnings, but it’s exciting to be able to pay tribute to him in this way,” she said.
In addition to Old Blue Eyes, Leo’s continues to honor the individuals who have made the restaurant what it is. Many of the customer favorites on the menu are the same recipes from Tessie, who started serving them over 50 years ago. Even the bar is the original bar that was built decades ago. Leo’s recently renovated the bar area because, after 80 years, “things needed to be updated,” shared Grace. While the result is beautiful, some customers questioned the need for renovations. “I think they just like nostalgia,” Grace explained. Leo’s is committed to providing the same sense of community and good eats today as it has for the last eight decades and this commitment has made the business stand out.
The Food
Of course, one of the main reasons Leo’s has been such a constant in the Hoboken community is the delicious food. Customers come from near and far to grab a bite for lunch or dinner, but menu favorites vary by crowd. “Well, depends on who you ask,” shared Grace when asked about some of the most popular menu items. “If you’re asking someone older who’s been coming for years, they’re going to say the shrimp parm, the pizza, or the mussels. But if it’s someone younger or a newer customer, they’re probably going to say one of the specials,” she continued.
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The kitchen staff at Leo’s is complete with employees who are just as loyal to the business as the family. Grace explained that the average tenure of the kitchen staff is about 25 years, which is a testament to the loving environment created at the restaurant. Perhaps, one of the most legendary creations to come out of Leo's kitchen is the eggplant fra diavolo. A years-old Hoboken legend has it that this dish induces labor. “Oh geez…Leo and Tessie are rolling over in their graves about this one,” Grace laughed when asked about this wives tale. “But, apparently, it’s true…it induces labor, but you have to be at or past your due date,” she shared. Many babies have been born shortly after the mother has eaten the eggplant fra diavolo, so much so that Grace had onesies made that say “I’m a Leo’s Eggplant Baby,” for families. The food is what draws people in, but the love and community keep them coming back.
Supporting the Community
One of the principles Leo’s was founded on was giving back to the community. “Grandpa did a lot of that,” Grace shared. “And so much of the good he did we didn’t even know about until after he passed and people would come in and share stories about how he helped them.” She talked about how Leo and Tessie would provide for families who may have fallen on hard times and how integral they were in large community events.
The family has been involved in the Hoboken Italian Festival, which happens on the waterfront every September. “The festival honors where we are from in Italy, so it’s really important to us,” Grace shared. She went on to say, “It’s like our Christmas! The whole family comes to celebrate and it’s just always a good time.”
Grace and her husband, John — also a born and raised Hobokenite, also like to support local businesses and have since they were children. “We miss so many of the bakeries that used to be here,” she remembers with fondness. “But, now, we try to support all of the new businesses that come to town. We try to get to all of the businesses when they open to show our support.”
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Grace and her family have created something special with Leo’s Grandevous Italian Restaurant. They are a testament to the power of family, love, tradition, and loyalty. While Hoboken is changing all around them, Leo’s knows a quality product made with love will always stand the test of time. Be sure to stop by Leo’s for a bar pie, mussels, or just to enjoy the company.
