I love pizza. Particularly good pizza. Recently, we’ve been on an accidental pizza tour, hunting down both popular and lesser known places in search of, as The Newlywed Neighbor puts it, that TDF (to die for) slice. This past Saturday afternoon, our search took us to Grimaldi’s in Hoboken.
A place pretty well known in the Tri-State area, Grimaldi’s has two locations, one in Hoboken and one in Brooklyn, New York. I’m glad I checked their hours before we headed off on our adventure because they don’t open until 2 pm on Saturday – go figure.
We lucked out and found parking right across the street and headed inside. As soon as you pull open the door, you are hit instantly with the smell of fresh, coal-fired brick oven pizza. The perfect way to start your visit. It’s a small place, nothing fancy, with the requisite old school red and white checkered tablecloths at every spot. Nothing says Italian like those tablecloths. We made our way to a table on the upper level so Nicholas Nick (he goes by Nick now, thankyouverymuch) could watch the guy make our pizza (half cheese, half garlic and sausage).
The menu is very simple and they focus on what they’re known for … good pizza. While they do have three pasta dishes available, there is not a lot of extra going on here, and that’s ok. Really, that’s the way it should be. You know, it’s like when McDonald’s made their brief and disastrous foray into making pizza years ago … stick with what you know.
I can’t explain how good the pizza was … but trust me, it was. Totally worth the visit. The marinara sauce was achingly fresh, with the smell of fresh strips of basil just wafting up to your nose as you took a bite. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten pizza quite that fast, right down to the very last speck of coal-smoked crust. Nick ate three (THREE!) slices on his own. I’ve never seen him eat anywhere near that much pizza in one sitting, let alone that fast, and these were fairly large slices to boot.
But hey, don’t just take my word for its goodness … their kudos are up and down Zagats. We will definitely be back, but in the meantime, the O’Malley Pizza Tour continues …
A few notes in case you visit:
– Highchairs are available.
– They get busy fast. We were the second table when they opened, and it was packed by the time we left.
– Extras will cost you. I asked for Parmesan cheese to put on top of the pizza and decided against it after I heard about the $2 extra charge. With good reason though … the waitress said they grate it fresh, so it’s more expensive, and they do use an ample amount in the pizza already.
– On-street parking in that area is sometimes a challenge, but they will validate if you use the parking garage nearby.
Happy eating!
P.S. I know, I really should have a picture of the amazing pizza, right? Well I would have, except that I forgot to bring my camera (duh!) so took pictures with my BlackBerry. While these two here came out fine, the pizza one? Not so much.
Well it’s a good thing I got sick this Saturday, my darlin’ brother told me to stop in on Saturday. Men… go figure!!!
I may have to make a trip to Hoboken this weekend.
SIL
OOh I love Grimaldi’s pizza. I think it’s the best pizza I’ve had in Hoboken. Have you ever been to Benny T’s? Everyone thinks it’s great because the slices are huge but I found it overrated. Grimaldi’s is great though!
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SIL – he said you were coming before dinner at Madelyn’s – we were home in plenty of time. ;) Hope you’re feeling better!
Maris – haven’t been there yet. BUT we did also go to … ahem … Sweet. Don’t tell me I beat you there when you live in the neighborhood. ;)
I think Tocanelli’s is the best pizza PERIOD. Located in Philly and one location in NJ. When they run out of dough they close. I have seen them close at 8pm on a Saturday before.
Germaldi’s is good. Yeah. But I will be the bad guy and say that they are overrated.
But if you are doing tours for the best pizza in the area, I suggest Star Tavern on High St. in Orange, NJ. They have delicious thin crust. To die for.
For a more traditional sicillan slice, I say nothing beat Brunos Pizziaria in Clifton on Route 46.
Just my two cents.
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Neighbor Husband – ok, I looked them up – Maple Shade may be a bit of a hike for a slice, but maybe on our next Philly trip…
Karen – I’ve heard a lot of good things about Star Tavern (Chowhounds seem to like them too) and they’re on the list. Haven’t heard about Brunos, but adding… thanks!
We went to Grimaldi’s when we went to NYC this summer and it was SO good! I am definitely a New York style pizza person…NOT a Chicago styler!
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I used to love going to Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn, back in the day. I used to work not too far from there, and on occasion would go in during the week when the lines were not out of control. On the weekends, was another story.
I had no idea there was one in Hoboken – will have to remember that!
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