Like religion and politics, each of us harbors strong feelings toward our neighborhood pizza restaurants. Nevertheless, downtown Jersey City is bursting with pizza options, so we’ve painstakingly ranked our three favorite pizzas in the downtown area. This is by no means an exhaustive list (many solid contenders were not included), but rather a sampling, if you will, of three pies that are worth re-visiting or trying for the first time. As always, leave your recommendations and/or comments below.
Rustique: Sicilian
Big and proud, Rustique’s Sicilian pie is perfect for those times you feel like digging into a ginormous pizza. Topped with chunks of silky homemade mozzarella, fresh basil, and spicy tomato sauce, this pizza makes all other pies seem anemic. Bonus points for the over-sized crust, which make a thunderous crunch with each bite. Make no mistake, Rustique’s Sicilian is among the best square pizzas you’ll find in any neighborhood.
Roman Nose: Quattro Formaggi
Roman Nose’s superb pasta dishes have helped it become one of downtown’s best Italian eateries. But it’s their spectacular, thin-crust pies which have earned it a secure spot in our pizza countdown. The Quattro Formaggi is made with four different cheeses and the result is a cheese lover’s paradise of epic proportions as your taste buds are bombarded with mozzarella, fontina, gorgonzola, and parmigiano. Of course, if white’s not your thing, their classic pizzas are equally satisfying, and you can opt to have any of them in small or large sizes.
Razza: Seasonal Pizza
Despite being the new kid on the block — Razza opened its doors last year — the staff at Razza craft pizzas like the masters. Many of the pies on their menu are seasonal, which is proof these guys aren’t kidding when it comes to using top-quality ingredients. The pizzas are thin and very light, but one pie is just enough for a party of two. On any given night, they can be topped with anything from baby bella mushrooms (above) to Razza’s own homemade meatballs. For an extra kick, ask for a side of oil and crushed red pepper to drizzle on your delicious pie. Simply put, you can’t go wrong with any of Razza’s pizzas.
(Images: Courtesy Jersey City Upfront)
