The Search for the Perfect Pizza

Bil Rosen is a Paramedic with over 25 years of EMS Experience throughout New Jersey. One benefit of being “in the field” is the ability to try Pizza from various locations for the quick meal between calls. Growing up at the Jersey Shore has afforded Bil the opportunity to treat pizza as a staple food. Whether it is a snack, a quick bite or a meal, pizza is not only a love of his but a necessity. His two favorite pizzas are from Vic’s Italian Restaurant (http://www.vicspizza.com/) and Bruno’s pizza and Subs (http://www.brunospizzasubsnj.com/). This blog entry will discuss these and other prime pizza possibilities at the Jersey Shore.

The Search for the Perfect Pizza

The commute home from work begins with a trip to the hospital to pick up my wife Kristin then a short drive to daycare for our son Sebastian. This adds about 30 minutes to our already 40-minute travel time at the end of the day. Often, Kristin and I had not had time to prepare dinner ahead of time. This baby thing takes its toll, ya know. When we get home around 5:30 or 6:00, we must first begin thinking of what to make for dinner. Many times, as Sebastian is playing or sleeping in his newly front facing car seat, we discuss options for a quicker dinner. We almost always look at each other and say in unison “PIZZA!”

Growing up and working as a paramedic at the Jersey Shore has some very distinct benefits. Naturally there is the beach, fishing, resorts and nightlife. But, unlike most of the states in the country, some of the greatest pizza can be found here. When looking for a specific type of pizza or needing to find a pizzeria in the Monmouth County area, this article will provide insight to a few of my favorites.

I have been eating pizza all of my life. I just started feeding pizza to my one-year-old son Sebastian. Pizza is a way of life for the Rosen’s. Not only do we like it for dinner but it is also a great tasting breakfast and hang-over cure when it is cold and right out of the fridge! Many times we have bought two pies, one for the meal and one for the next day. During a paramedic shift, it is the easiest stop to make for a quick bite between dispatches.

What makes a great pizza? According to an ezinearticles piece (http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Makes-a-Great-Pizza?&id=4746436), a great pizza depends on three things, the crust, the sauce and the cheese. Toppings and crust are very dependent upon one’s tastes and can vary immensely. However, proper ingredients and preparation are important to creating the perfect pizza. Everything should be made fresh and with fresh ingredients and the pizza should be cooked in a brick or wood-fired oven. I will add that a great pizza cannot be too greasy or oily. This spoils the fun of eating a pizza and can make quite a mess on my nice white uniform shirt. The perfect pizza, though, is quite subjective. I have searched high and low at the Jersey Shore in my years here. My friends and I have even categorized the local pies for easier decision making and categorization. In our travels and trials, we have had some delicious pizza, some mediocre ones and even some bad ones. We are at the point that we know exactly where to go when we want a specific pizza. This depends on our mood, our hunger and our tastes. Our local search is over but may just be the beginning for some.

The beach buzz is not to expect great pizza if you are not in New Jersey, New York or Chicago. These cities and states really know how to make pizza. This, of course is the position of east coast pizza professionals. It has been surmised that the water as an ingredient has a lot to do with the preparation of a pizza. This is why pizza isn’t as good in the south and west. However, if folks from these areas are asked they will say their pizza is fantastic and will tell you where to go (to get great pizza). Perfect pizza is a preference. Everyone knows the best pizza around but this really means around them. No matter where you go, people know where to go for the best pizza in town. According to the Pizza Therapy Website (http://pizzatherapy.com/bestpizza.htm), pizza lovers “…have very strong opinions and are not shy about sharing them.” Depending on tastes and desires, here are some suggestions for the “best” pizza around.

Dinner Pizza is not to be taken lightly. This is not a snack. It is a main course to be complemented with either side orders or appetizers. As a kid and especially before old enough to drive, there was a place our group went to almost 4 times each week. “Vic’s” as we simply called it, was close in proximity to all of us and had the best pizza around. We didn’t have our own table but we were well known as the local kids and knew all of the staff by name. The family owned Vic’s Italian Restaurant (www.vicspizza.com) has, by far, the best in my opinion. In the resort town of Bradley Beach, where I grew up, the 1933-established taproom added pizza to its menu on St Patrick’s Day, 1947 (ironic for an Italian restaurant.).

Their pizza is considered “thin crust” and is made fresh to order with homemade sauce and dough. Toppings include the usual favorites such as meatballs, sausage, peppers, onions or mushrooms. This is not a pizza to be wrapped and taken home. It should only be eaten when hot and fresh. As thin as the crust is, a single pie would not be enough to feed two or more people. However, a large antipasto will feed 3 or 4 people easily and is a great compliment to the pizza with a contrast in temperature to the piping hot pie.

In my family, there is a constant argument regarding the best pizza. We have spent hours at a time debating which is best. The other “favorite” dinner pizza is from Carmen’s Pizzeria, more commonly known as Pete and Elda’s. Those who aren’t fans of Vic’s just adore Pete and Elda’s Pizza. This is thin crust at it’s thinnest. If you want anything more than a paper-thin pie, you must special order it. According to their website (www.peteandeldas.com) they have been voted best pizza in a number of publications. For me, this isn’t pizza at all, though. It is more like matzo with tomato sauce. It is a favorite of most of my family but just not for me. Toppings range from the normal of sausage, peppers, and pepperoni to special orders like garlic shrimp. Pete and Elda’s has a t-shirt club for those who eat an entire extra, extra large pie by themselves. For me, this would be a piece of cake (or pie!) but for some this is a real challenge. The restaurant’s website has pictures of the shirts over the years as well as some military personnel wearing them overseas with testimonials of their R&R Leave being spent here.

Since this pizza is so thin, I recommend an entrée to supplement the pizza. Pete and Elda’s has wonderful, home tasting Italian dishes. They are ample portions served scorching hot. Have a slice or two of pizza while waiting for the entrée to cool.

Snackin’ pizza is what to have when you need a quick bite, to satisfy a craving or to fill a belly in between meals. It is basically a snack however, some of the better snackin’ pizzas can be ordered as a meal! This pizza is thicker, larger and more filling.

One of the best overall pies is found at Bruno’s Sub’s, Pizza’s and Dinners, in Neptune City, NJ. After Kristin and I decide to have pizza for dinner, we rarely debate the origin. Unless we are trying a new place, we go straight to Bruno’s. We place the order by phone on the way home and it is ready for pick up when we arrive. We go there so often that as I walk through the door, they have the order ready on the counter for me. Bruno’s has been around for over 20 years and recently moved from its 3 small table almost exclusive take-out joint to its current restaurant next door (www.brunospizzasubsnj.com). The pizza here is phenomenal. A true thick crust that is crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. It is not too greasy and a slice or two is just right for a quick fix. Bruno’s has a full menu for eat in or take out including hot and cold subs and sandwiches, entrees and other Italian favorites. Their pizza’s are on display in a warmer rack for a quick view, order and purchase. A good compliment to the pizza is an order of garlic knots, twisted pizza dough smeared with olive oil, Parmesan cheese and garlic then oven baked. It’s like eating just the crust of their pizza.

Three Brothers’ Pizza on the beachfront in Belmar, NJ (www.belmarnjpizza.com/) is probably the best snackin’ pizza I know of. The slices are Humongous! According to their website, they are home of the giant slice and make 24-inch pizza pies (most pizzas are around 10-18 inches). Staying open until the wee hour of 4AM, they are an easy decision for the late-nighters coming out of the clubs and still wanting to hang around. They also provide free delivery to patrons on the beach across the street. Now that’s service! One of my friends who has moved away from the area, brings his kids back to town and go to Three Brother’s and challenges them to eat a slice or two. He has described the pizza to them but they do not believe such a pizza exists or think that pizza this size is no problem for them to eat. Typically, the bet is lost.

There are scores of other local pizzerias. I might consider these hybrid pizzas as they can be ordered as a meal or by the slice as a snack. Pizza Etc. in Neptune City has good-sized pies at reasonable prices. Delvetto’s Restaurant and Pizzeria in western Neptune has a good all around pie that is not thin crust but not too heavy. Dominic’s, also in Neptune is OK but a little heavy on the grease. Luigi’s in Ocean Township has a square pie that is not considered Sicilian but is a coal-fired concoction of contentment. There are coal fired, wood and brick over pies and more modern, steel oven pizzas. All have different tastes and textures. Pizza in New Jersey can be found on almost any street. Whether snackin’ pizza, a full meal pizza or one to supplement a meal is in order, the Jersey Shore has the answer to pizza. Finding the “best” may be a challenge and can be very subjective. If there is the time, try different pizzerias and decide for yourself which is best.