Our Story
Joe & Joe Restaurant began in 1940 when Giuseppe Perrotta and his brother-in-law Giuseppe Bevilaqua purchased the building which was known as Bailer’s Hotel & Restaurant.
Bailer’s Hotel and Restaurant was opened in 1854 by the Bailer Family in the Bronx on Castle Hill Avenue, which was then known as Ludlow Ave. Bailer’s Hotel soon became a well-known establishment in the rural community. Another historical fact is that the location was used as a recruiting station during the Civil War. As the family grew and prospered, the Bronx grew around it. The century turned and the years went by, 2 brothers in law arrived from Esperia, Italy, and their futures at Bailers Hotel were destined to meet. It wasn’t until 1940 that Giuseppe Perrotta
and Giuseppe Bevilaqua purchased Bailers Hotel. This was the birth of Joe & Joe. In years to follow, the two Joe’s became known throughout the city as excellent and knowledgeable restauranteurs. A tradition in fine family style dining began.
A generation later in 1960 the two Joe’s retired, passing on the reins to oddly enough, two Tony’s, Tony Perrotta and Tony Longobardo. Members of the second generation well-groomed in the tradition of Joe & Joe.
Tony Perrotta passed away in 1968 and Tony Longobardo retired in the 1990’s, bringing in the third generation of the Longobardo family. Now with over 80 years and 4 generations later, the Longobardo family continues the tradition of old school Italian American cooking in Pearl River.
