Through its 104 years, it has remained in the Russo family. “This place has been through a lot,” said Barbara Russo, who co-owns the eatery with her husband Michael. They’re third-generation owners and have continued to embrace the history of the place.
Michael’s grandfather John opened Russo’s as a grocery store in the same location, after coming to the United States from Sicily in the early 1900s. Shortly after that, it became a restaurant and speakeasy — though the code to get in is lost to the annals of history. With the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Russo’s transitioned to a bar and tavern.
Through the years, it was passed to Michael’s father Pat, then to Russo’s brother, Jim Russo and, in April 2009, Michael and Barbara bought it. They’ve remodeled a bit; the kitchen has been moved and they replaced some of the walls after the hurricane damaged them in 2011. But Russo’s has maintained its hometown tavern atmosphere.
Barbara likens the place to “Cheers” and boasts that, thanks to the Mohawk River across the street and the train station and highway nearby, Russo’s is accessible from anywhere. PETER R. BARBER A cosmopolitan from the bar at Russo's Grill on W.
Main Street in Amsterdam Thursday, May 23, 2024. The recipes have largely remained the same, with some tweaks here and there. The marinara sauce is the star of the show, perhaps closely followed by the bread, which is made fresh each day.
The eggplant parmesan is up there in popularity, as.