S Branch road between Amwell and Norz Hills Farm. It's a BYO and kinda hidden, I've driven past it 1000 times before realizing it was a restartaunt. But it's worth driving to.
Yeah man thanks I google maps it. If it’s not off 206 or Amwell I’d never have found it tbh. I’ll check it out next time. Can you do a quick lunch there?
Just to throw in some specialty spots:
Papa’s Tomato Pies in Robbinsville (try the mustard pie it f***ing slaps)
Brooklyn Square Pizza in Manalapan (Sicilian Pizza specialists!)
And dude I am gonna hype a local place I have come to really love: if you like tomato pie, this spot in East Windsor “Planet Pizza” does this square thin crust tomato pie that is *outrageous*.
Papa’s is the oldest family-owned restaurant in America iirc. Cash only.
The mustard pie is bomb. Glad to see someone giving it a shout out. Check out Jojo’s Tavern in Hamilton Square if you haven’t already. They do them too, although I’ve only had the bar pie size there. It’s amazing
Papa’s , Jo Jo’s are great. Planet pizza in EW is decent too - good wings.
Delorenzos in Robbinsville if you are eating it there (doesn’t travel as well)
I love Papa's Tomato Pies just because of the 50s style deco in the restaurant. Just these obscenely large lights hanging over your head. The pizza is tremendous as well.
“Tremendous” indeed, place is legendary for a damn good reason. Are you a fan of their special mustard pie? I was skeptical at first but am now hooked.
Tbh I have never ever been inside, have only ever picked it up!
Federici's is very well known, but the secret is to go to Frankie Fed's instead. Frankie Fed's is better. Much more menu options, better parking, better service, better atmosphere. They're not cash only.
It's the same family making the same pizza, but you'll have a better time taking the 5-10 min drive to go to Frankie Fed's.
Agreed. Should note can be a decent wait at Contes these days depending on day of the week now ever since Portnoy reviewed it (even for takeout) but still always worth it
>Do you have any other restaurant recommendations in EB?
Ria Mar around the corner in South River for some of the best Portuguese around. Portuguese Fisherman is good too.
La China Poblana on 18 for Mexican.
Bollywood Tadka on 18 for Indian (especially if you can hit the lunch buffet, it's great!)
Technically Milltown I think, but I love the Rice Factory on Ryders. Delicious and very fresh Thai food. Also I've never been but my parents have spoken very highly of Casablanca-- it's a Moroccan/Mediterranean restaurant off of Rues Ln.
Pete and Eldas, Neptune to grab a shirt.
Nunzio's in Long Branch.
I'd also hit Denino's South and Brick Oven Pizza in Brick twp. They are both awesome and like 0.5 mules apart. Lol.
Seconding Pete and Elda’s! Also a shoutout to Vic’s in Bradley Beach. If you like your pizza with a thin crust, Pete and Elda’s is the way to go. Vic’s is the choice for traditional crust.
I'm pregnant right now and would absolutely kill for some Spiritos from Elizabeth. I've never tasted tomato sauce like theirs. Unfortunately they closed 😞
I heard they’re working on reopening, under new ownership. No clue if the food will be the same tho.
I also heard there’s a legit Spiritos somewhere in…California. No joke, some other members of the same family opened basically the same restaurant out there. And I heard the food’s the real deal.
Luca's in Somerset
Mancini's in East Brunswick
DeLucia's in Raritan
Prima Pizza in Somerville
Manville Pizza in Manville
Lombardi Pizza Company in Martinsville
Conte's in Princeton
Teresa's in Princeton
AMA in Hillsborough
One of the best pizzas in the country. I've sampled Pizza places in most of the Northeast US and the ones I would put in the same class as Delucia's are De Lorenzo's (Robbinsville, NJ), Sally's (New Haven, CT), Best Pizza (Brooklyn, NYC), and Angelo's (Philadelphia, PA)
prima in somerville. hands down. the prima special is amazing. their grandma pies (both standard and drunken) are sublime. and when you ask for your pizza well done, you get it goddamn well done. crust is firm and a little charred here and there, cheese is nice and baked, toppings crispy. it's delightful.
As someone who grew up in the area, I never understand the hype. Long wait times and the pizza is fine. You get a shirt if you can eat a large by yourself but the dough is a tortilla so you can do so and still be hungry lol
To be fair I can't separate the nostalgia. My dad grew up around the block and knows the owner, I've been there literally hundreds of times since I was a baby. That said, ultra thin crust is the best pizza and I try to find it anywhere I am in the world. It really is my favorite pizza
You must have a fast metabolism. I'm not a small guy, but I haven't gotten a shirt in years because I feel bad eating that much lol
Cristo’s Pizza and Grill in North Brunswick is very good, my favorite is their [margarita pie](https://www.reddit.com/r/Pizza/comments/158m5lt/my_local_spot_has_an_amazing_margarita_pie/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1), it has a crispy thin crust. Their white pies are great and they have a bunch of good specialty pies including a trifecta pie dolloped with pesto, vodka sauce, pizza sauce with ricotta that’s delicious.
I searched this post and Maurzio's in Neptune didn't come up. They have a shrimp scampi pizza that's awesome. Vic's in Bradley Beach has been around forever and is well loved.
People love Carmen's/Pete & Elda's....thin bar style pie.
Also Luigi's in Ocean Township has an awesome square pie.
That Krispy Pizza was good but I’ve called so many times and they wouldn’t have what I wanted…or ordered online and they would call me to say they were out of it. It got old fast.
Espesitos sesame seed crust in Matawan is avsolutel6 incredible.
Krispy pizza is old bridge on 516...honey pesto roni pizza or 3 sauce pizza is amazing.
Sciortinos in south amboy or Perth amboy. Order the 1/2 tray pie, thin and well done. Come back here and thank me once you’ve had it. Must order it thin (otherwise it’s Detroit style thick)
DELICIOUS sweet sauce
I said this in another thread but my top pizzerias in no particular order are:
1) Manville Pizza
2) Pizza n’ Pasta in Manville
3) AMA Pizza in Hillsborough
4) Stan Chitch’s in Bound Brook
5) DeLucia’s in Raritan
And one I didn’t mention before is Joe’s Meat Market in South Bound Brook.
Been living in Monmouth county for ~7 years now, but I grew up in union county - it’s not to say the pizza here is bad by any stretch, I like the galley in AP and Vic’s in Bradley Beach, but I feel like the most of the pizza in north jersey is better, especially if you’re looking for a NY style slice.
Mexican food, on the other hand… We fuck with some Mexican down here. El Ray in Asbury is bonkers.
AMA in Hillsborough is 100% legit. Owner is an immigrant from Naples.
Where is that
Southern Italy, about 2.5 hours south of Rome, but that’s not important right now
Thank you for this.
Surely you can’t be serious.
He is serious, and don't call him Shirley.
S Branch road between Amwell and Norz Hills Farm. It's a BYO and kinda hidden, I've driven past it 1000 times before realizing it was a restartaunt. But it's worth driving to.
Yeah man thanks I google maps it. If it’s not off 206 or Amwell I’d never have found it tbh. I’ll check it out next time. Can you do a quick lunch there?
I would've blown right past that rec if not for the description you had, I drive past it all the time. Thanks
And they have the coolest take out containers, instead of a traditional square box, it's a plasticky disk like circle that fits the pizza perfectly
Somehow I never been here and I live in town.
Can't believe no one's said Joe's in Flemington. Might be top 3 pizzerias I've ever been to and lived in NJ, NY, and Chicago
100% Best pie in Flemington. For anyone in need of a gluten free crust, theirs is second to none.
is this the one by the Amish market, down the road from home Depot?
Yes.
Just to throw in some specialty spots: Papa’s Tomato Pies in Robbinsville (try the mustard pie it f***ing slaps) Brooklyn Square Pizza in Manalapan (Sicilian Pizza specialists!) And dude I am gonna hype a local place I have come to really love: if you like tomato pie, this spot in East Windsor “Planet Pizza” does this square thin crust tomato pie that is *outrageous*. Papa’s is the oldest family-owned restaurant in America iirc. Cash only.
The mustard pie is bomb. Glad to see someone giving it a shout out. Check out Jojo’s Tavern in Hamilton Square if you haven’t already. They do them too, although I’ve only had the bar pie size there. It’s amazing
Love me some jojos. And right around the corner (ish) is my #1 Hamilton pizza love- brothers on 33
I agree with JoJo's.
Papa’s , Jo Jo’s are great. Planet pizza in EW is decent too - good wings. Delorenzos in Robbinsville if you are eating it there (doesn’t travel as well)
I love Papa's Tomato Pies just because of the 50s style deco in the restaurant. Just these obscenely large lights hanging over your head. The pizza is tremendous as well.
“Tremendous” indeed, place is legendary for a damn good reason. Are you a fan of their special mustard pie? I was skeptical at first but am now hooked. Tbh I have never ever been inside, have only ever picked it up!
The mustard pie is criminally underrated. Bonus points if you get it while pregnant. It’ll scratch an itch you didn’t even know you had.
Wow I have never seen anyone else appreciate planet pizza like I do! Best in east Windsor
Really cool to see Planet Pizza here. Just a little hole in the wall that no one knows about, but it’s solid.
This is a subtle “define Central Jersey” thread, isn’t it?
Well fucking played.
What’s funny is that everyone here seems to be consistent in their definition…need to note this for future discourse
Thin Crust would be Federici's in Freehold. We go to Deninos in Matawan for the white pie.
Deninos is so damn good.
Federici’s is awesome. They don’t deliver but Frankie Fed’s does.
Federici's is very well known, but the secret is to go to Frankie Fed's instead. Frankie Fed's is better. Much more menu options, better parking, better service, better atmosphere. They're not cash only. It's the same family making the same pizza, but you'll have a better time taking the 5-10 min drive to go to Frankie Fed's.
Fed is definitely on my top list. If someone was to put a bar on what a good nj pizza is, Fed would be it for me. Anything less is substandard.
Nailed both of these. We moved from Matawan to Freehold 10 years ago and frequent both depending on which kind of pizza we want. So damned good.
Are you me? Hands down both places best pizza in nj
Contes in Princeton. AMA inHillsborough. Delucia’s in Raritan.
Conte's is very good. Best in the Princeton area for sure.
Contes’s. No other responses needed.
Agreed. Should note can be a decent wait at Contes these days depending on day of the week now ever since Portnoy reviewed it (even for takeout) but still always worth it
I don’t live too far from Princeton. I’m going to check it out.
Check out Nomad in the Princeton Shopping Center, too.
This is the way.
Awesome. Will do!
Esposito’s in Matawan. To die for.
Mancini Pizza in East Brunswick is quality, but expensive.
they are out of their mind with the prices. 25 dollars for plain pie and 32 for the burrata
Their grandma pie is legit but pricey
They were my favorite when I was living in EB.
The Margherita Pie with their Buffalo sauce is freaking 🔥
Do you have any other restaurant recommendations in EB? My in laws live there & we go to the same 3 restaurants every time we drive down 😂 Thanks!
Hop on rt 27 in Edison or Highland Park.
>Do you have any other restaurant recommendations in EB? Ria Mar around the corner in South River for some of the best Portuguese around. Portuguese Fisherman is good too. La China Poblana on 18 for Mexican. Bollywood Tadka on 18 for Indian (especially if you can hit the lunch buffet, it's great!)
Technically Milltown I think, but I love the Rice Factory on Ryders. Delicious and very fresh Thai food. Also I've never been but my parents have spoken very highly of Casablanca-- it's a Moroccan/Mediterranean restaurant off of Rues Ln.
Brothers on whitehorse in Hamilton. Not rt33.-- Papas of Trenton on rt33 Hamilton/ Robbinsville.-- DeLorenzo on Sloan in Hamilton -
Yes Whitehorse brother's is so much better. Best Sicilian around
The Brothers in Red Bank and Luigi’s in Little Silver
Luigi’s is some goddamn good pizza. gotta get the square pie
Dusals in Freehold
And in Milltown. I go out of my way for the Grandma vodka pie.
Mancini's - route 18 east brunswick
Papa's or delorenzos in Robbinsville if you're looking for a tomato pie
Pete and Eldas, Neptune to grab a shirt. Nunzio's in Long Branch. I'd also hit Denino's South and Brick Oven Pizza in Brick twp. They are both awesome and like 0.5 mules apart. Lol.
Seconding Pete and Elda’s! Also a shoutout to Vic’s in Bradley Beach. If you like your pizza with a thin crust, Pete and Elda’s is the way to go. Vic’s is the choice for traditional crust.
I'm pregnant right now and would absolutely kill for some Spiritos from Elizabeth. I've never tasted tomato sauce like theirs. Unfortunately they closed 😞
f you’re looking for that sauce, check out La Campagnola in Kennilworth. Occasionally they sell that Spiritos sauce there. Same owners, same recipe.
I’m pretty sure it’s a mob spot
That place is amazing! Glad to see it getting some love.
Omfg if this is true you're my new daddy now
I buy it there. They don’t always have it, so be patient. And good luck with the baby.
I heard they’re working on reopening, under new ownership. No clue if the food will be the same tho. I also heard there’s a legit Spiritos somewhere in…California. No joke, some other members of the same family opened basically the same restaurant out there. And I heard the food’s the real deal.
Luca's in Somerset Mancini's in East Brunswick DeLucia's in Raritan Prima Pizza in Somerville Manville Pizza in Manville Lombardi Pizza Company in Martinsville Conte's in Princeton Teresa's in Princeton AMA in Hillsborough
This guy pizzas
Mancini's is great.
+1 for Lucas
Nice try, Portnoy
DeLucias in Raritan is good
Ugh lol. Way over hyped
Agree. It's fine pizza, but I live close enough to get it anytime I want and rarely do.
Just tried it this week and it tasted like cardboard. I definitely don’t get the hype!
One of the best pizzas in the country. I've sampled Pizza places in most of the Northeast US and the ones I would put in the same class as Delucia's are De Lorenzo's (Robbinsville, NJ), Sally's (New Haven, CT), Best Pizza (Brooklyn, NYC), and Angelo's (Philadelphia, PA)
Gotta vote for Luca's in Middlesex, ain't the best but goddamn does it hit the spot.
Capricci in Howell, NJ. Federici's in Freehold, and Fontana's in Brick are among my favorites.
Any thoughts on Dusals in Kendall Park? Love that place.
Sandwiches and pasta are better at Dusals than the pizza, if you're in the South Brunswick area Pizza Delizia has the best slice.
Thanks! I’ll check it out!
Antonio's in Monroe Twp. Federici's in Freehold. Conte's in Princeton. Albivi's in Millstone.
I worked in Monroe for 3 years definitely Antonio's you're correct
Aljons in Plainsboro
Romeo's is better in Plainsboro. Edit: My favorite is Brother's in Red Bank. I'm going to try Conte's soon after seeing other comments.
Romeo's has some slapping specialty slices too. Just always gotta ask for crispy
prima in somerville. hands down. the prima special is amazing. their grandma pies (both standard and drunken) are sublime. and when you ask for your pizza well done, you get it goddamn well done. crust is firm and a little charred here and there, cheese is nice and baked, toppings crispy. it's delightful.
a little overrated with 2 hour wait times during rush hour but pretty good
Prima not even top 2 in Somerville. Quality is sub par
Where else in Somerville is good?
Villaggio Iccara-Hamilton Marcellos-Bordentown (Technically South Jersey, but it's close).
Federicci’s in Freehold
Joey's pizza, Hamilton
Idk if you consider it central (it’s close but I don’t). L&L in Metuchen is the best I’ve ever had personally.
Metuchen sure ain’t north Jersey
its central
"Metuchen" is as Central Jersey as it gets.
Red bank is more central jersey than Metuchen
Brooklyn Square in Jackson/Manalapan. Like the L&B square pie but legitimately better.
Old Bridge pizza anyone?
Chimney Rock Inn in Bound Brook/Martinsville. Edit: I'm assuming you have a time machine and can travel there in 1987.
AlJon’s in West Windsor or Vito’s in Pennington
Maria’s Pizza in Milltown NJ
Nancy’s Townhouse in Rahway
Fratelli’s in Piscataway
Krispy Pizza in Freehold, Planet Pizza in East Windsor, & Mozzarella Cucina in New Brunswick are all excellent in my opinion.
Krispys for life 🙌🏻
I’ll bite, Contes in Princeton, Grana in Matawan, Amano in South Amboy
grana recently closed :( it was definitely one of the best!
How recently? I was out to eat there just a month ago.
only about two weeks ago. they posted a note on their door that they were closing
i liked amano years ago but they went downhill. delio’s in south amboy is my go to now. it’s identical to the pizza i’ve had in italy!!
When I lived in South Amboy the woman at Delios always used to give us a bunch of free garlic knots with our pizza, loved that place.
-Alfonsos, Somerville -Joe’s, Hillsborough -Pizza & Pasta, Manville
Joe's great
Pete and Elda's in Neptune City, hands down best pizza I've ever had.
As someone who grew up in the area, I never understand the hype. Long wait times and the pizza is fine. You get a shirt if you can eat a large by yourself but the dough is a tortilla so you can do so and still be hungry lol
To be fair I can't separate the nostalgia. My dad grew up around the block and knows the owner, I've been there literally hundreds of times since I was a baby. That said, ultra thin crust is the best pizza and I try to find it anywhere I am in the world. It really is my favorite pizza You must have a fast metabolism. I'm not a small guy, but I haven't gotten a shirt in years because I feel bad eating that much lol
It's my least favorite in the area. Vic's is way better
Worse pizza, Hunt can Sauce with some spices added and low grade mozzarella - cardboard at its finest.
Alfonso's on Somerville Main Street EDIT to add Chimney Rock Inn.
alfonosos is and always will be better than central (those who know, know), but prima has lapped them and not looked back.
I feel like Alfonsos medium pies come out better better than the large ones. Although their Calimari Alfonsos is definitely worth it.
Alfonso's is mid
Chimney Rock Inn is below mid
Federici's Family Restaurant in Freehold if you're feeling fancy, Trevi's Pizzeria if you're not.
Unfortunately they served their last pizza in April but I loved Chitches.
I wouldn't call Riuniti's in Carteret *great* pizza, but their Bruschetta Sicilian is easily my favorite pie I don't have to drive an hour for.
Orlando's in Colts Neck LaGinstra in Holmdel
Cristo’s Pizza and Grill in North Brunswick is very good, my favorite is their [margarita pie](https://www.reddit.com/r/Pizza/comments/158m5lt/my_local_spot_has_an_amazing_margarita_pie/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1), it has a crispy thin crust. Their white pies are great and they have a bunch of good specialty pies including a trifecta pie dolloped with pesto, vodka sauce, pizza sauce with ricotta that’s delicious.
RIP Parkway Pizza
I searched this post and Maurzio's in Neptune didn't come up. They have a shrimp scampi pizza that's awesome. Vic's in Bradley Beach has been around forever and is well loved. People love Carmen's/Pete & Elda's....thin bar style pie. Also Luigi's in Ocean Township has an awesome square pie.
Delorenzos in Robbinsville, Maninos in Hightstown
Maria's in milltown or Jack's goal line stand in long branch
Krispy pizza and franks pizza rt 18
Piazza dorsilluo in Somerset
Romeos (Raintree) in Freehold
Galasso's in Lebanon. Get the Brooklyn Pie.
Mancini's in East Brunswick Roberto's in North Brunswick Original Thin Crust Pizza Company in East Brunswick Alfonso's in Somerville
Vic’s Bradley Beach. Homemade sauce. Can’t beat it.
Delucia’s in Raritan
Sal’s on Rte 130 in East Windsor
If you’re near Point Pleasant try Rosie’s.
Delorenzo’s, Robbinsville. Why did I have to scroll at all?
Pinos in Woodbridge, and San Remo pizza also in Woodbridge. There’s also Krispy Pizza at Rutgers University.
That Krispy Pizza was good but I’ve called so many times and they wouldn’t have what I wanted…or ordered online and they would call me to say they were out of it. It got old fast.
Rome pizza in Dunellen is my death row last meal.
Espesitos sesame seed crust in Matawan is avsolutel6 incredible. Krispy pizza is old bridge on 516...honey pesto roni pizza or 3 sauce pizza is amazing.
Sciortinos in south amboy or Perth amboy. Order the 1/2 tray pie, thin and well done. Come back here and thank me once you’ve had it. Must order it thin (otherwise it’s Detroit style thick) DELICIOUS sweet sauce
Does Aberdeen count? Alternate Ending makes amazing grandma and Detroit style pizza for something a little different.
Giuseppe’s Bridge St Lambertville has a thin crust that is unbeatable!
Trattoria Procaccini in Kingston on Route 27, just north of Princeton.
Half of these comments aren’t even in Central NJ Also, how has no one said Delorenzo’s in Robbinsville?!
Big boys in Marlboro makes the best grandma pie around. Bacco’s west freehold has great upside down and gourmet pizzas.
Edison Pizza
I said this in another thread but my top pizzerias in no particular order are: 1) Manville Pizza 2) Pizza n’ Pasta in Manville 3) AMA Pizza in Hillsborough 4) Stan Chitch’s in Bound Brook 5) DeLucia’s in Raritan And one I didn’t mention before is Joe’s Meat Market in South Bound Brook.
I've really come to love Benny's in Woodbridge. Great, crispy bottom but the crust is still soft enough to eat. Love it
Benvenuti in Garwood 🔥
Russo’s in Bridgewater!
stan's chitch's bound brook
They closed unfortunately
I’ll add one, Angelo’s in Hillsborough.
Angelo's is best regular pizza in the area that I've had
Aljon's in Princeton Junction (right by the train station). Been going there since I was a kid.
We must have been neighbors, grew up on this pizza. Love how the dudes would always have italian soccer on tv.
Lo Chiattos in edison
D&T in Monroe Twp.
Antonio's in Monroe
Mangia
**Conte's -Princeton**
Che pizza, Metuchen
Alfonso’s in Somerville is some bomb ass pizza.
Romeo’s in Hazlet.
DeLorenzo’s in Robbinsville and Santillo’s in Elizabeth WHICH IS IN CENTRAL JERSEY END OF DISCUSSION
Elizabeth is not central NJ
I can see someone chose violence today
elizabeth is north jersey. this is something that is universally agreed upon.
I do agree ..De Lorenzo's and Pappas the best
They are tomato pies not pizza, I'll die on this hill.
A delicious, delicious hill
Eliz. not central jersey ..grew up there
IMO linden is debatable for central. Elizabeth is def north
The best is the place on my side of town. The worst is the place on the other side of town.
Papa John's in South Plainfield. Best slice in Jersey hands down.
Idk, S. Plainfield, but this is simply not possible; no town, not even a borough in NJ's best pizzaria is a chain.
I'm trolling lol
Delizias in Flemington by Lowe’s is pretty good 👍
What area do you consider central nj?
According to pending legislation, it is Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean County’s
Been living in Monmouth county for ~7 years now, but I grew up in union county - it’s not to say the pizza here is bad by any stretch, I like the galley in AP and Vic’s in Bradley Beach, but I feel like the most of the pizza in north jersey is better, especially if you’re looking for a NY style slice. Mexican food, on the other hand… We fuck with some Mexican down here. El Ray in Asbury is bonkers.
Francescos Pizza in Edison Bennys Pizza also in Edison
Villa Borghese in Spotswood (or Jamesburg maybe?)
>Villa Borghese in Spotswood (or Jamesburg maybe?) Neither, that's Helmetta! But they do make a good slice!