Everyone remembers where they were when the final episode of “The Sopranos” aired. Whether you loved or hated that controversial cut-to-black ending, you definitely remember it to this day. And that iconic final scene was filmed in none other than Holsten’s Ice Cream Parlor, a most fitting location to evoke that quintessential New Jersey vibe as the Essex County-based crime drama came to a close.
Tony Soprano himself, played by the inimitable late James Gandolfini, sat in one of our classic vinyl booths and ordered a plate of onion rings in the final moments of the hit HBO series. When Gandolfini passed away in 2013, owner Ron Stark put up a reserved sign at the booth to honor the beloved actor. He ended up leaving the sign there for two weeks as the booth unexpectedly became a way for fans to remember “The Sopranos” star by leaving notes and cards at the table. Everything left there was given to Gandolfini’s son, Michael Gandolfini.
Years after “The Sopranos” finale aired, Holsten’s remains a site of cultural significance, a point of pride for local residents. Visiting the restaurant is a way for locals and tourists alike to connect to their favorite TV show. The Soprano family is so beloved that we have tours stop by the restaurant twice a week to walk in Tony’s footsteps. And in 2021, production of the prequel film “The Many Saints of Newark” — which stars Michael Ganfolfini as a young Tony Soprano — brought cameras back to Holsten’s to film another scene at our iconic location.
You can be a part of Sopranos history too. Come in and ask us about the booth where Tony Soprano had his last meal, and try the onion rings for yourself. Leaf through our vintage Crosley jukebox just as Tony did. To top it all off, commemorate the experience with our special Sopranos merchandise, including hats and T-shirts.
Holsten’s, famous for its delicious homemade ice cream and being in The Sopranos, has been serving the community since 1939.
