One Staten Island, Two New Jersey Longstanding Pizza Places for the Ages

Whenever I get a chance to visit a pizza joint I have yet been to, I cannot let the opportunity fall by the wayside. Hey, pizza is in my Italian-American blood.

I recently knocked off three pizza places from my must-visit pizza list. Two from New Jersey, and one from Staten Island, New York.

Please enjoy my takes on these fine establishment, serving the greatest food in the world.

Florham Park Pizza — 187 Columbia Tpke, Florham Park, New Jersey 

In business for over 30 years, Florham Park Pizza makes an array of awesome pizzas.

My girlfriend Maggie had the establishment’s signature pizza: the Grandma. One bite is all I needed to taste to determine its pizza perfection.

For me, I enjoyed the Veggie Slice, crafted with ample amounts of white onions, green peppers, mushrooms and broccoli, sitting on top of fresh mozzarella, tangy tomato sauce and a crispy crust.

One might think that all those tasty ingredients would be too much for the pizza crust to handle. But the crust did not waiver, and the way the ingredients all blended together made for a delicious, harmonious experience, bar none.

The Napolitan Pizza was another quality offering, highlighted by its savory sauce and melt-in-your-mouth mootz.

Joe & Pat’s Pizzeria (The Original) — 1758 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, New York

There are regular pizza spots and ones that you cannot pass up at all. Joe & Pat’s is the latter. In fact, the family-operated restaurant is a must-visit Italian joint, and I am not alone with that recommendation. It is beloved by countless Staten Islanders across the borough.

To me, one mark of an excellent food establishment is its longevity. Joe & Pat’s first opened its doors in 1960, and it is still around today.

My buddy Paul, a pizza traditionalist, and I started out with the fried calamari, which was pretty solid.

Then, we ordered the Margherita Pie, made with fresh basil and delicious mootz. Yes, simple but awesome.

First, the flavorful sauce rocked, making my tastebuds do the dance of joy. Next, the thin, well-done, crispy crust (the doe is made from a family secret recipe) and fresh mozzarella just tied the delicious experience all together.

Italian Village — 300 Main Street (Madison Village Plaza), Madison, New Jersey

Opened in 1981, I have been meaning to frequent Italian Village for some time now, and I am very happy that I did.

Being from Brooklyn, I love a good New York City-type of slice. Well, Italian Village did not let me down even in the slightest. It had all the makings of a great slice: tasty sauce, gooey, mouth-watering mootz and pleasingly firm crust. A winner, indeed.

Also, the veggie slice is excellent, packed with delicious onions, broccoli, mushrooms, fresh garlic, roasted peppers, tomatoes and eggplant.

Now, how can you go wrong with that offering? You cannot.

Do you want more? Well, there are other mouthwatering slices such as the Margherita Pizza (fresh basil, marinara & mozzarella), White Pizza (fresh ricotta and mozzarella), and the Chicken Fresco Pizza (fresh mozzarella, chicken cutlet and tomatoes topped with balsamic glaze).

Now we are talking! Pizza, pizza, pizza and more pizza!

— Jerry Del Priore