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Emilio's Ballato Copycat Recipes

Emilio's Ballato is the Nolita red-sauce institution at 55 E Houston Street, founded in 1956 and taken over by Emilio Vitolo Sr. in 1989. Chef Anthony Vitolo runs the kitchen today alongside his brothers. Obama, George Clooney, Taylor Swift, and Aaron Judge are among the regulars. The supersized chicken parmigiana — panko-crusted, fried in olive oil and butter, finished with blended San Marzano sauce and double mozzarella — is the signature dish. Waits run two hours most evenings; the restaurant does not take reservations.

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