If you could pick up the Italian Market in South Philly and move it to Ridley, you’d have Santino’s Tap & Table, a family-owned restaurant that cooks traditional Italian with a twist.
“They make it all but they make it their way,” said Bob Kelly of Kelly Drives on Fox 29.
The family business was started in the 1940s in the Italian Market by Giuseppe (Joe), the great-grandfather of Santino’s current owner, CJ, and his uncle Larry.
CJ’s father started DeMarcos Restaurant and Bar in 1987, now re-emerging as Santino’s Tap & Table.
Much of that history can be seen in the photos on its walls.
CJ describes Santino’s food as a twist on classic Italian dishes.
“Everything you get here you’re not going to get somewhere else. I try to do stuff you’re familiar with but presented in a way you’ve never seen,” he said.
Like prosciutto-wrapped mozzarella sticks, or a Sambuca-glazed salmon steak stuffed with Crab Imperial.
The recipes come from his grandmother, Domenica.
Santino’s also has an upstairs rooftop deck with a bar so people can watch the Phillies and the Eagles and enjoy being outside.
Find out more about Santino’s in Ridley at Fox 29.
Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on DELCO Today in August 2025
