Rosa’s: Hidden Gem For Student Lunches

In a school where chain restaurants often dominate the conversation for lunch, Rosa’s stands as a reminder that some of the best food is served right around the corner – if you know where to look.

For those who have discovered it, Rosa’s feels less like a business and more like a hidden gem. 

“You simply can’t pass up on this food,”  said Peyton Way, a New Hartford Highschool student’s analysis on a secret treasure that most students don’t know about.

Rooted in tradition, Rosa’s Trattoria is a celebration of family, heritage, and authentic Italian flavor. Rosa, who is the owner of Rosa’s Trattoria, started her journey from her hometown in Cetara, Italy, then joined her father Pasquale, to Utica, New York. She inherited her fathers entrepreneurial spirit and later opened the doors to Rosa’s Trattoria on June 4, 2000.

It was my friend Jack Taylor, a recent graduate at New Hartford, who introduced me to Rosa’s. When asked whether any of the food at his college, Seton Hall, compares to Rosas, Jack didn’t hesitate. The answer was immediate: “no – not even close.”

So what keeps him coming back?                                

“Simple answer, meatball sub –  best sub in the area,” Jack said. 

It is high praise, but anyone who has stepped inside Rosa’s and has tasted the homemade sauce, fresh bread, and perfectly seasoned meatballs understands exactly what he means.

Another loyal customer, Peyton Way, echoed the same enthusiasm when he was asked about his go-to order. 

“I want to start by saying, you simply can’t pass up on his food, the famous meatball sub,” Way said. He described it as a staple among many of Rosa’s many hot subs, typically paired with what he calls their, “cool and crisp pink lemonade,” creating what he considers the perfect lunch combination. “This is a perfect amount of food for lunch,” he added, emphasizing both the quality and portion size that keeps students coming back.

Beyond the food itself, Peyton pointed to convenience as a major factor on what keeps him coming back. 

“Let’s dive into this, first off, the proximity… It is only about a three minute drive from our school; giving you more time to eat and hangout with your friends,” he explained. When it comes to price, he acknowledged that a small meatball sub costs around $10, which may initially seem expensive. However, he was quick to defend the value of the sub. Calling it a “Triple-b (big, bang,for your buck),” he noted that the portion size rivals other sandwich shops in town, but at a lower cost.

Another voice that speaks to Rosa’s impact on the community is Mrs.Randall, wife of the high school varsity basketball coach John Randall and a physical education teacher in the high school, who has helped make the restaurant a centerpiece of the team’s traditions. For nearly eight years, the Randall family has relied on Rosa’s to cater team dinners, a ritual the players anticipate every season. When asked what the Randall family typically orders, she pointed straight to the fan favorite. 

“The chicken riggies are a big hit for the boys! We also order meatballs, sausage and peppers, and baked chicken,” she said, describing the menu built to satisfy a group of hungry athletes.

Mrs. Randall also emphasized how easy Rosa’s makes the catering process. With Coach Randall jokingly known as, “Mayor of every town” because of his strong community connections, working with local businesses comes naturally. “Rosa’s is great to work with and always accommodating to Coach’s needs and very close to our home in  South Utica. I personally think their riggies are the best in the area!” she explained. The partnership extends beyond basketball season – the Randalls even serve Rosa’s at their Christmas Eve celebration. 

Most importantly, she noted, the team dinners create lasting memories. Every year, the boys gather for “lots of belly laughs and great conversations,” with Rosa’s Trattoria at the heart of it all. 

Rosa’s is located at 2644 Genesee St, Utica. It is open, Tuesday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Make sure to stop by!