Jersey Bites

One thing became very evident during our first ever “Jersey’s Best” Pizza event.  People are very passionate about their pizza.  That, and New Jersey has a boat load of pizza places.  We began by calling for nominations from our Facebook Fans in the very beginning of October.  After that, we put together a survey using the names nominated and allowed participants to “Pencil In” their favorite if they didn’t see it on the list.  When it was all said and done,we had a ton of penciled in favorites which has put a few new places on our radar here at Jersey Bites, and will hopefully do the same for you.

After the voting and the counting, there were 6 places that garnered the most votes (2 tied for 5th place).   The winners’ pie styles vary greatly which just goes to show that there is no one type of perfect pizza, much depends on taste buds and personal preferences.  Each winner receives a framed “Jersey’s Best Award” for their establishment, and the awesome icon you see below to use on their website, newsletters, whatever.

So, without further ado (drum roll please) the winners of the first ever Jersey’s Best Pizza contest on Jersey Bites are……

De Lorenzo’s in Robbinsville : The Trenton tomato pie is a distinct style of pizza. The crust is thin but not cracker-like. A lot more tomatoes are used in this style than a typical neopolitan pizza, and it’s crushed tomatoes, not gravy. The ovens used at DeLorenzo’s are gas ovens, and yet they are able to achieve a crust that most brick oven places would die for.

Pete and Elda’s (Carmen’s Pizzeria) in Neptune: Known for the cracker thin crust. Pete & Elda’s appears on most “best of” lists when it comes to pizza.

Vic’s Italian Restaurant in Bradley Beach: Entering Vic’s Italian Restaurant in Bradley Beach is like entering a scene from the Godfather. Old world Italian at its best. Vic’s is a family business that has been open for 64 years and they take their pizza seriously. Fresh homemade dough everyday and the freshest ingredients make Vic’s pizza a winner with the public and Jersey Bites. Andy, “the pizza guy,” has been making pizzas for 35 years at Vic’s and knows how special it actually is.

Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizza in Red Bank and Oakhurst: As the name suggests, these pizzas are cooked in coal fired ovens that reach up to 1000 degrees. Some very unique offerings on the menu, like the Bye, Bye Buffalo Pie and Mr. C’s Shore Clam Pie are customer favorites.

Star Tavern in Orange:  Another award winning pizza spot that boasts of an authentic Italian recipe that blends  high quality cheese, spices, and toppings baked to a golden brown, crispy texture.  According to their website “although very thin, the crust is strong enough to hold its weight without bending when a slice is picked up.”

1st Avenue Pizza in Atlantic Highlands: Newcomer on the block, 1st Ave has already built up quite the loyal following. They don’t claim to have any one style of pizza.  The owner says they believe the secret to their success is that they make their pizzas to order.  If a customer wants paper thin crust, that is what they will deliver.  If they prefer a thicker crust, no problem. 1st Ave offers 16 different specialty pies.

Congratulations to the winners and to all of the nominees listed below!!

Every month, Jersey Bites will be polling our readers and Facebook/Twitter friends to get the inside scoop on the best bites in New Jersey.  Coming in November: Jersey’s Best Pies, just in time for Thanksgiving.  So, if you have a favorite place for that perfect piece of pie, let them know what’s coming and get them plugged into Jersey Bites.  We’ll be calling for nominations after November 1st.

Best Pizza Nominees:

Scorintinio’s Harbor Lights in South Amboy

Fratelli’s in Middletown

Nicky’s Firehouse in Madison

Mamma Caterina in Randolph

Steverino’s in Toms River

Piccini’s in Ocean City

Mack and Manco in Ocean City

Squan Tavern in Manasquan

Cafe la Rustique in Jersey City

Luigi’s in Little Silver

Chitch’s in Bound Brook

John’s Boy in Glen Rock

Bruno’s Sicilian pizza in Haddon Township

Frankie Fed’s in Freehold

Federici’s in Freehold

Paradiso Pizza in Rockaway

Vesuvio’s in Belmar

Jimmy’s in Asbury Park

Capricci’s in Howell

Riviera PizzaMedford

Front Street Red bank

Napoli’s in Hoboken

Sam’s PIzza Palace

Vesuvios Belmar

Val’s Tavern in Rumson

Geno D’s in Toms River

Pizza Como in Clinton

A Mano in Ridgewood

Millers Tavern in Annandale

Stefano’s in Freehold

Zachary’s in West Long Branch

Frankie Feds in Freehold Twsp

Spirito’s in Elizabeth

Patsy’s Tavern in Paterson

A Mano in Ridgewood

Old World Pizza in Princeton

Federici’s in Freehold

Tony’s Tomato Pie in Long Branch

Mangia in Bordentown

Village Tattoria in Maplewood

Lincoln Pizza in Vineland

Frank’s Pizza in East Brunswick

The new Park Tavern in East Rutherford

The Cabin in Howell

Naples in Toms River

Luigi’s in Neptune

Pizza Town in Elmwood Park

Lugui’s in Point Pleasant Beach

Amano in Ridgewood

Coal Brick Oven Pizza in Bradley Beach

Brother’s Pizza in Red Bank

Brick Oven Restaurant in Brick

Pazzo in Red Bank

Pizza Fusion in Red Bank

Bevacqua’s Reservoir Tavern in Parsippany

Naples Pizzeria in Tuckerton

Villa Pizza in Middletown

Luigi’s Pizza in Ocean

La Bella pizzeria in Garfield

Don’s Pizza King in Belmar

Joey D’s in Edison

Zachary’s in Oceanport

Undici in Rumson

Three Brothers in Seaside Heights

Mack’s Pizza in Wildwood