Welcome to Ventura’s Restaurant.

For three generations and over 75 years, we have worked to provide our customers the high standards of quality food, the utmost respect, excellent service, and consistency in every aspect of our business.

A bit of history…

In 1943, Marie Ventura and her husband Rufus J Ventura, founded Ventura’s Restaurant in Utica, NY. She cooked with all her love and old world secrets passing them down to her son Rufus Jr, known as “Nini” and now her grandchildren Rufus III and Nina continue that tradition. Decades after its founding, Ventura’s Restaurant still continues to be enjoyed by several generations of customers who appreciate our authentic old world recipes. Our family is proud to share three generations of love with yours.

Our Signature Sauce

Now you can take home our famous marinara sauce. Our recipe has remained consistent over three generations and it’s the perfect way to take a bit of our family’s passion and history home with you.

Our sauce is available locally at Chanatry’s, Parkway Drugs in Utica, DiOrio’s Supermarket in Old Forge, and at our restaurant. We’re happy to ship sauce as well. Call us for pricing on individual bottles and cases of sauce.

Our Yankee Connections

Not only is Ventura’s recognized for its tremendous cuisine, it has been a bastion for lovers of the New York Yankees since its opening. Many famous NY Yankees passed through the doors of Ventura’s on more than one occasion such as; Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Whitey Ford, Bobby Murcer, “The Stick” Gene Michaels, Mike Torrez, Jimmy Key and many more sports legends.

Learn more…

Our Restaurant