Spirito's, One Of US's 'Best,' Faces Sale After Health Violations

NEW JERSEY – A New Jersey pizzeria that was recently recognized for being among the nation's best, and reportedly closed because of health violations, is up for sale.

The iconic Spirito's Restaurant and Tavern is up for sale at a price of $474,900, according to realtor.com. The restaurant, building and land are all part of the deal.

The restaurant was among 11 in New Jersey that recently made The Daily Meal list of the 56 greatest "old-school" pizzerias in America. Read more: 11 'Old School' NJ Pizzerias Among America's Best: The Daily Meal

Spirito’s in Elizabeth was closed during the summer when it was visited by NJ Advance Media. The news organization found the restaurant had a red sanitation violation notice posted in the window. The notice was posted in July.

Cheryl Hathaway-Spirito posted this in the Facebook group "Fans of Spirito's Restaurant" at the time: "Temporarily closed until matters resolved, will keep you posted and on behalf of Spiritos thank you for your patronage and support at this time."

Here is the description in the realtor.com listing:

"First Floor Currently Restaurant and Bar, Second and Third floors each have a 1 Bedroom Apartment - Sale of building and land MUST include sale of restaurant business, equipment and liquor license - negotiated directly with owner. Bilco doors for basement deliveries, Third Floor of Building has new roof. Restaurant dining room has new central forced air gas fired heating and air conditioning. Bar area has gas fired heating unit and three individual AC units. Both apartments have baseboard hot water heat and no air conditioning. Located in a convenient and desirable location, this is a great opportunity."

The Daily Meal said this about the restaurant when it recognized it: Spirito's Restaurant (Elizabeth): "If you're from a certain part of Northern New Jersey, there's about a 100 percent chance that you've heard of Spirito's, and an equally good chance that you've been there. Owned and operated by the Spirito family since it opened in 1932, the dim, wood-paneled Spirito's is a restaurant where time — and the menu — stands still." Read more here..