If you’re looking for a little pizza positivity on social media, the Jersey Pizza Joints group on Facebook is there for you. Founder Guy Madsen started it during the pandemic to give his fellow pizza lovers a chance to socialize online and talk about their favorite New Jersey pizzerias—no trolling allowed.
Now Madsen wants to pit the state’s top independent pizza makers against the best in New York City and Brooklyn, according to NorthJersey.com. If that happens, it would be a spin-off from Jersey Pizza Joints’ annual Pizza Bowl, which brings together pizza makers from North, Central and South Jersey in a three-round bake-off judged by Jersey Pizza Joints members.
Madsen and his pizza posse held the first Pizza Bowl in New Brunswick with Scott Rafferty, owner of Pizza Terminal in Verona, taking home the trophy. For the most recent event, held last month, Vinnie’s Mootz of Lyndhurst won with a Grandma-style pie topped simply with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes. Owned by Vinnie Morelli with pizza maker Angelo Dalia running the oven, Vinnie’s is a newcomer to North Jersey, celebrating its first anniversary in April.
Related: Canada’s top pizzaioli to square off at the RC Show in Toronto April 8-9
As for the bake-off between Jersey pizza makers and those in New York City and Brooklyn, Madsen told NorthJersey.com that it’s still in the early planning stages.
Here’s a look at the Jersey pizza shops that competed in the 2024 Pizza Bowl:
North Jersey:
Grumpy’s Pizza Co., Saddle Brook
Nellie’s Place, Waldwick
Coniglio’s Old Fashioned, Morristown
Vinnie’s Mootz, Lyndhurst
Central Jersey:
Capricci Pizzeria Panineria & Restaurant, Howell
Squan Tavern, Manasquan
Maruca’s Pizza, Seaside Heights
Mancini Pizza, East Brunswick
South Jersey:
Nonna’s Pizza Deptford, Deptford
Boaggio’s Bread, Mt. Laurel
Lillo’s Tomato Pies, Hainesport
Riccardo’s Italian Restaurant, Brown Mills