Calandra's has several bakery, market and restaurant locations in North Jersey.

Calandra's began in Newark in 1962 and has grown into a food business with a large footprint.

Calandra's was voted one of North Jersey's most essential restaurants by NorthJersey.com readers.

For the first time on this yearlong journey to the 25 most essential restaurants in North Jersey (as determined by you, readers), I recently visited a spot with which I have some familiarity: Calandra’s. It didn’t matter, as it turned out.

Though I’ve had a meal or three in its Italian Village in Caldwell and have picked up their bread from the grocery store several times over the years, Calandra’s has grown into a mini-empire with several sit-down restaurants, a few full-fledged bakeries, a market/deli space, its ow

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