North Jersey
Star Tavern World Famous Pizzeria
400 High St., Orange; 973-675-3336
startavern.net
A pizza joint that’s so much more than a hole-in-the-wall, Star Tavern has mastered the art of sophisticated thin-crust pizza in a laid-back setting. Huge and crispy, the pies here draw crowds from miles away. Bonus: They’ve got an awesome jukebox, so make sure to load the kids up with quarters.
2. Kinchley’s Tavern (Ramsey)
3. Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizza (Hoboken)
4. TIE: Arturo’s Osteria & Pizzeria (Maplewood)
TIE: Brooklyn’s Brick Oven Pizzeria (Multiple locations)
Central Jersey
Federici’s Family Restaurant
14 E. Main St., Freehold; 732-462-1312
federicis.com
This family-owned establishment has been serving up classic Italian cuisine since 1921. It originally specialized in cheese lasagna (Ester “Mom” Federici’s recipe is still used today!). To add to to the family history, Federici’s award-winning thin-crust pizza was later perfected by sons Dante and Frank “Spat.” It also was reportedly a favorite of Bruce Springsteen’s growing up. Pro tip: Credit cards are not accepted so hit the ATM before you go.
3.TIE: Alfonso’s Trattoria & Gourmet Pizza (Somerville)
TIE: Nunzios Kitchen (Sayreville)
5. Denino’s Pizza Place (Aberdeen)
South Jersey
1. Sam’s Pizza Palace (Wildwood)
2. Manco & Manco Pizza (Ocean City)
3. King of Pizza (Multiple locations)
4. TIE: Slice (Sewell)
TIE: Villa Barone (Multiple locations)
EDITOR’S NOTE: In our reader survey, we defined the sections of New Jersey as follows: North (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Union, Sussex, Warren); Central (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset); South (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, Salem).
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