One Of The Greatest ‘Old School’ Pizzerias Is At The Jersey Shore

Here's a fun fact: the reason it is spelled "pizzEria" and not "pizzAria" is because the suffix "eria" has Latin origins and connections to French, so when it made the jump to English, it was used similarly to "-ery", as in "bakery". Thanks Reddit!

Anyway, one of the best "old school" pizzeria's in the entire country can be found right here at the Jersey Shore!

The Daily Meal ranked the 56 best "old school" pizzerias. If you're wondering how they defined "old school", it's pretty simple:

the pizza itself needs to be just one part of the overall experience. A classic old-school pizzeria (like any great hole-in-the-wall) has a comfortable, lived-in feel, whether it’s been around for decades or not. Maybe it’s a narrow storefront with a long counter, fresh pies on display in clear cases, and only a few tables (or even just a ledge) to enjoy your slice at. Maybe it’s a classic bar serving legendary pies alongside cheap pints. Maybe it’s just a simple, no-frills dining room with some framed photos lining the walls. Time seems to stand still at these joints, and that’s a wonderful thing.

New Jersey is featured a ton on this list, with eleven total restaurants! Honestly, you could probably come up with 50 great "old school" pizzerias in New Jersey alone, and totally ignore the rest of the country.

Most of the spots are a hike from the Jersey Shore, but there is one spot that is right in our backyard - Vic's Italian Restaurant in Bradley Beach! Here's what The Daily Meal had to say:

Serving classic Jersey-style pizza to beachgoers and locals alike since 1947, Vic’s has a warm and inviting vibe, and its exterior and neon signs would feel right at home in old Hollywood. Inside, among Vic’s green Naugahyde booths, wood-paneled bar and walls, and vintage light fixtures, time seems to stand still, and you half expect Frank Sinatra to walk in. The bubbling thin-crust pizzas haven’t changed in decades, either.

The other locations in Jersey include: Benny Tudino's in Hoboken, Conte's in Princeton, Papa's Tomato Pies in Robbinsville, Patsy's in Paterson, Pizza Town USA in Elmwood Park, Reservoir Tavern in Boonton, Rome Pizza in Dunellen, Santillo's Brick Oven Pizza in Elizabeth, Spirito's in Elizabeth, and Star Tavern in Orange.