Rocky's Pasties — Restaurant in Wharton

Rocky's is the definition of a local institution. It's been a family owned and operated business since 1924 and is now in the hands of the third generation.

As the name implies, the star of the show are the family's fresh, hot pasties that are made daily in their small kitchen. They are a regional delicacy originally made for the transplanted Welsh miners who came to this region nearly 100 years ago to work the local mines.

Today, the large pasties are about 6 bucks each, and worth every penny! They are a simple affair of rough pastry filled with ground beef, potatoes and onions. Even though it is so simple, it is the perfect example of how the whole is worth more than the sum of its parts. I should know, I was born in the area and have been eating them my whole life.

Given the family's Polish background, they also sell homemade Polish delicacies like smoked kielbasa and golabki (stuffed cabbage) and kolache (a rolled, sweet bread). Give them a try!

If you've got a foodie bucket list, this place should be on it. There's nothing else quite like it around. It's a real, regional...

Driving into Wharton I felt a different sense of ambiance. Everything felt more laid back - like a rural small town in the US. You don’t really get a lot of that in North Jersey. Any who, I was craving something to eat and happened to stumble upon this shop. It felt like a step back into history when I walked in. The owner was super friendly and explained to me how pasties came from the Cornish miners who immigrated here from England to mine. I initially only bought 2 but they were so good I went back to the store for 4 more since I live far. But, 1 is plenty for one person! Another thing to note is that the pastors are very shelf stable. You can get them frozen or ready cooked and the ready cooked I was able to leave overnight on my table and just reheat in the microwave in the morning and it still tasted great! Lastly, the pasties that were ready cooked were so hot and fresh you can tell they just came out the oven! Make sure to ask for the hot sauce if you’re like me and like spicy! I’ll definitely go back when I’m in...

Entering Rocky’s Pasties is like taking a step back in time. This small, family owned shop creates delicious pasties (Beef, Sausage and Chicken and No Onion). You can have a fresh (hot) baked pasty or frozen as well as Small or Large. A shop history/reheating direction sheet is available on the counter too. These hand held meat, potato and onion turnovers with a golden crust are quite filling and could be a complete dinner with the addition of a side salad. They also make their own kielbasa and there are a few dessert offerings as well such as Cheesecake, Cream Puffs and Kolachi (poppy seed, walnut, prune and apricot). The family counter staff is friendly and helpful and prices are reasonable. You do have to climb a few stairs from the sidewalk and again up to the front door to get to the shop and there is no handicapped ramp for those with mobility issues. Parking is free and...