Every single thing on this menu is gluten-free, including the meatball hero. That sounds like a magic trick, but it’s simply how this little kitchen works.
The place is also completely nut-free. The owner built it that way after his wife’s celiac diagnosis and his son’s nut allergy changed how his family ate.
I like how personal that story feels. This isn’t a trend chasing a crowd.
It’s a dad who spent nearly 20 years learning to make comfort food safe for the people he loves.
Now that cooking feeds a whole corner of New Jersey. Pizza, chicken bites, chili, and flatbreads all come out of one small open kitchen.
How good can gluten-free comfort food really get?
A Family Kitchen Born From Love And A Celiac Diagnosis
Almost 20 years ago, one diagnosis changed dinner forever for the Restivo family. James Restivo’s wife learned she had celiac disease, and he started rebuilding favorite recipes from scratch.
That kitchen experiment eventually became Uncle Skippy’s Kitchen. The family is local to Westfield, so this spot truly grew from neighborhood roots.
Later, another challenge arrived. His son developed a nut allergy, and James adapted the cooking again to keep everyone safe.
The entire menu is gluten-free and nut-free, although customers with other food allergies should still check individual ingredients before ordering.
I believe that origin explains why the food matters so much here. It wasn’t designed in a boardroom to catch a passing trend.
It was designed at a family table where safety was never optional. That kind of care tends to show up in every container that leaves the counter.
The restaurant opened around November 2023 and celebrated its first anniversary in November 2024. For a young business, it already carries decades of home-kitchen practice.
Think of it as a family recipe box that finally got its own address. Lucky for New Jersey, the box is open to everyone now.
Grandpa Saverio Would Approve Of This Open-Door Spirit
Grandfather Saverio kept what the family calls an open-door kitchen. Friends, neighbors, and family were always welcome, and good food was always waiting.
That tradition is the heartbeat behind the whole operation. James built the restaurant to carry on that same warmth and sense of community.
You can taste the Italian-Irish influence on the menu, too. Sunday sauce, meatballs, and hearty heroes sit right beside chili and chicken soup.
It’s a pretty great mix if you grew up in a household where everybody brought something different to the table. Comfort food rarely follows strict rules anyway.
The hospitality piece isn’t just a nice story on a website. James is known as a friendly owner who genuinely cares about the people ordering his food.
He has been known to pass along tips, like which gluten-free pasta holds up best at home. That’s the kind of advice you usually only get from a relative.
I can’t imagine a better way to honor a grandfather. Feeding people who often feel left out of comfort food fits his open-door legacy perfectly.
Saverio fed his community. His grandson simply widened the circle.
Your Eyes Should Catch The Hand-Painted Sign Out Front
Look up before you walk in. A small, hand-painted blade sign hangs out front, and it has a sweet backstory.
James Restivo’s mother created it herself. She has been making folk art for decades, so the sign is a true family original.
Most restaurants order signs from a printing shop. Here, the very first thing you see came from a mom with a paintbrush.
That detail tells you plenty about the place before you smell a single meatball. It’s personal, handmade, and a little charming.
The sign also makes the storefront easy to spot along the street. Since this is a small shop, a distinctive marker really helps first-time visitors.
I like that the family theme carries from the sidewalk to the stove. Grandpa inspired the hospitality, mom painted the sign, and the kids inspired the safety rules.
So snap a photo if you appreciate folk art. It’s a small piece of family history hanging in plain sight.
Plenty of businesses claim to be family-run. Very few can point to a sign painted by the owner’s mother as proof.
Watch Dinner Happen Right In Front Of You
Nothing is hidden behind swinging doors here. The kitchen is open, so you can see your food being made while you wait.
For anyone with celiac disease or allergies, that view is more than entertainment. Seeing the process builds real trust.
The space itself is small with a cute vibe. It’s cozy rather than sprawling, which suits a kitchen focused on doing a few things well.
Uncle Skippy’s Kitchen runs mainly as a takeout business. You won’t find a dining room full of tables, so plan to enjoy your meal elsewhere.
There are a handful of barstools if you need a quick perch. Still, this is the kind of place where you grab your order and head home happy.
The open layout also makes chatting easy. Since the owner is known for his friendliness, don’t be shocked if you leave with local suggestions along with your food.
Honestly, a smaller room can be a bonus. Less fuss, quicker pickup, and a front-row seat to the cooking.
Just keep your eyes off the meatballs long enough to pay. That part takes some willpower.
Those Famous Meatballs Have Earned Their Reputation
Meatballs are the headliner, and the menu proudly calls them famous. They’re a top seller and one of the most talked-about items at Uncle Skippy’s Kitchen.
Gluten-free meatballs can be tricky. Traditional recipes usually rely on breadcrumbs, so getting the texture right takes serious practice.
James had years of family dinners to perfect his version. Many fans say you can’t tell them apart from the classic kind.
You can order them on their own with sauce. Grab extra if you plan to toss them over gluten-free spaghetti at home.
They also show up across the menu in other forms. The Meatball Hero puts them on a gluten-free roll, which is rare to find anywhere.
Where else can someone with celiac disease safely bite into a meatball sub? That sandwich alone might justify the drive.
Meatballs also appear on pizza for anyone who wants to double down. It’s comfort stacked on comfort.
Fair warning, though. Once your family tries them, you may be the designated meatball runner for the foreseeable future.
Pick A Side, Southsider Or Northsider
Pizza names here sound like a friendly neighborhood rivalry. The Southsider brings Sunday sauce with mozzarella, while The Northsider adds pepperoni.
A classic Pizza Margherita rounds out the basics. All of them sit on gluten-free crust, of course.
The flatbreads get creative. Mr. Kennedy layers roasted potatoes, mozzarella, and rosemary, which might be the most Irish-meets-Italian idea on the menu.
Then there’s The GOAT. It piles roasted beets, arugula, and goat cheese under a hot honey drizzle.
That combination sounds fancy, yet it still feels like comfort food. Sweet, earthy, tangy, and a little spicy all at once.
Veggie lovers do well here overall. The flatbreads give non-meat eaters real choices instead of a sad afterthought.
Here’s a smart move for groups. Order one classic pizza and one adventurous flatbread, then split everything.
Gluten-free crust has a reputation for tasting like cardboard. These pizzas are a big reason that reputation doesn’t apply at this New Jersey kitchen.
Just don’t start an argument about which side is better. Nobody wins, but everybody eats.
Chicken Bites, Heroes, And A Bowl Of Something Warm
Four flavors, one tough decision. Chicken bites come naked, buffalo, hot honey, or garlic parmesan.
They’re crispy comfort in a box and one of the most popular orders. Hot honey brings sweet heat, while garlic parmesan leans savory.
Sandwich fans have plenty to love. The lineup includes the USK Prime Burger, a Chicken Parm Hero, and a Chicken Milanese Hero.
Breaded chicken cutlets are usually off-limits for anyone avoiding gluten. Here, they’re right on the menu without a second thought.
Vegetarians can grab the Ocean House Veggie Burger. It gives plant-forward eaters a proper sandwich option.
On chilly days, the soups and chili step up. USK Chicken Soup and homemade Turkey Chili with Beans feel like a warm blanket in a container.
That chili even shows up on a nacho-style pizza. Clever reuse of a good thing.
Mixing a few categories makes a great family dinner. Bites for the kids, a hero for you, and soup for tomorrow’s lunch.
Just try not to snack on the bites in the car. The smell makes that nearly impossible.
Finding This Little Spot On West Broad Street
Westfield has a lively downtown, and this kitchen sits just a short stroll from it. The exact address is 403 W Broad St, Westfield, NJ 07090.
Street parking is available nearby. That makes quick pickups much easier than circling a crowded lot.
Timing matters, so check the schedule before you go. The kitchen is closed on Mondays.
Tuesday through Friday, it runs from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday hours are noon to 6 p.m., and Sunday wraps up at 5 p.m.
Those are lunch and early dinner hours. Late-night cravings will need a backup plan.
Ordering online is the easiest route. You can place your order ahead and simply swing by when it’s ready.
Delivery apps also carry the menu for anyone who can’t make the trip. Still, picking up in person lets you see that open kitchen and the hand-painted sign.
It’s a handy stop for anyone traveling through Union County. Celiac families visiting New Jersey have a safe meal waiting right here.
Put it on your map now. Future you will appreciate it.
Feeding A Crowd Gets Easier With Catering And VIP Perks
Party planning gets stressful when one guest has celiac disease. Uncle Skippy’s Kitchen offers catering, which takes that worry right off the table.
Since everything is gluten-free and nut-free, guests avoiding those ingredients have plenty of choices, although anyone with other food allergies should still check what each dish contains
That’s a big deal at birthdays, office lunches, and family gatherings. The person with dietary needs finally gets to eat like everyone else.
Picture trays of meatballs and chicken bites that please the whole room. Most guests won’t even realize the food is gluten-free.
Regulars should also check out the VIP program. It offers exclusive specials, discounts, and giveaways.
Signing up is a smart move if you plan to return often. And honestly, once the meatballs win you over, you probably will.
I believe this is where the restaurant’s mission really shines. It turns a safe meal into a shared meal.
Food brings people together when nobody has to sit out. That is exactly what Grandpa Saverio’s open-door kitchen was about.
So next time you host, skip the stress. Let this New Jersey kitchen handle the comfort food.
