For the last few Fridays during Lent (you know, that time when we’re not supposed to be eating meat), we’ve gone the pizza route. A new tradition seems like the best way to combat the fact that I sometimes forget it’s No Meat Friday. And a perfect way to add another pizza review to our ongoing quest for finding the best pizza in New Jersey.
M&S Pizza has two locations. Both in Rockaway. About a mile apart from each other. On the same street. I don’t get it either, but imagine maybe there’s a fun story behind the “why” of it. In the meantime, although we’ve lived in the area for nearly 10 years now, this was our first visit to either of the M&S locations.
I love old school. I love things that remind me of being 16 years old again. Well, some things anyway. Sixteen was not exactly the rosiest of years. Just ask my mom. But M&S is old school in a charming way. Which is a good thing, because if you don’t appreciate its charming, old school ways, you’d walk in and think the restaurant is very dated. See? It’s all in your perspective.
That picture would be Nick’s perspective. The very familiar, very hard red booths. The little pads of paper that they use to take your order. And my favorite? The honor system. You place your order. Sit down. They bring it to you. And you settle up when you’re done. I love that, in this day and age, there are businesses that still believe in the honor system. And trust it. And are old school.
Now the pizza. Speaking of school… remember pizza day when you were a kid? Remember what the pizza tasted like? This is that pizza. The same exact taste. The same kind. The familiarity of back then. This is not OMG pizza. This is not the best pizza in New Jersey. But this is the pizza you grew up with. And that, my friends, is in a class all by itself.
No massive air bubbles that I love. Not an overwhelming amount of charred little bits along the crust. No thin and crispy crust. It’s more on the doughy side. But it’s packed with cheese. Behold the cheesiness.
It’s standard. Familiar. Tasty. Serves its purpose. Will I get a craving for it any time soon? No. Will we stop back in? Sure.
A few details:
- Coke establishment
- Very friendly staff and plenty of seating
- They take credit cards
- Decent size menu of standard fare
- Busy on the weekends, but enough staff to meet the demand
- Very reasonably priced. Four slices, a salad and two drinks was $13.50
M&S Pizza II
456 US Highway 46
Rockaway, NJ 07866
(973) 361-9137
PS – I hear their Buffalo Chicken Pizza is a must-try.
Miss our other pizza reviews?
Luigi’s in Succasunna
Reservoir Tavern in Boonton
Margherita’s Pizza & Cafe in Hoboken
Star Tavern in Orange
Grimaldi’s in Hoboken
Annabella’s Pizzeria in Parsippany
Fenicci’s Restaurant & Tavern in Hershey, PA
M&S II Pizza in Rockaway, NJ
Project 365
April 19, 2011, Photo #108
A few months ago, I decided I wanted to put my cupcake liners in a clear glass jar, thinking it would be far more attractive than just stuffing them into a kitchen drawer. I couldn’t bring myself to spend the ten bucks on a new jar, so I rummaged around the house to find what I needed. Much better.
Our school pizza (at all the schools I went to — and there were several) was always of the rectangular variety. And like cheese on cardboard. Not exactly appealing. Though the cheese in the picture looked pretty tasty.
All I can say is that it looks good to me!
Yep Buffalo chicken is the best and cheapest in area.
The best margarita pizza used to be at Goodfellas which went out of business. Haven’t been able to find one like it. Godfather in east hanover is close.
Cutie cupcake liners in the jar, so colorful.
Wednesday weather again – rain.
yummy looking pizza
M&S is the place to go! And you should try that buffalo chicken piece of heaven – it’s out of this world. Nice pizza reviews btw :)
There are two very distinct differences in the two M&S Pizza shops on Rt. 46. First one is actually in Dover and the other is in Rockaway. However, yes they are only about 1 mile apart on Rt. 46. More importantly M&S Pizza of Dover, NJ (On the Westbound side of Rt. 46) has EXCELLENT PIZZA !!! =) Whereas the second M&S (the one in Rockaway, NJ – Eastbound side of Rt. 46) offers pizza that is in my opinion mediocre at best… =(
If memory serves, any school cafe pizza I ever had didn’t look, taste, or smell anything even close to the pizza served up in M&S Pizza (Dover, NJ)… I grew up eating at this parlor and the place certainly has not changed one bit in my 36 years of patronage, which in this case is a very good thing =), (again I’m referring to the Dover shop)…
I actually attended H.S. (Morris Hills) right up the street from M&S pizza and that is the only thing about the Dover shop that brings to mind anything about school when I eat there. Author: If the schools you attended as a child served up pizza looking and tasting as the ones being served up at M&S of Dover then you certainly attended schools with far higher quality fare than I.
Author: If you get a chance next time your in M&S Pizza of Dover, would you grab one of their take-out menus and post it on your NJ Pizza review sight? That would be very helpful, however if your anything like me every time I stop in there I forget to grab one of the tri-fold paper to-go menus which are right on the counter =)….
PS- I like your site/blog, Please let me know when you find “THE Best” Pizza in Jersey, I’ll be sure to pay them a visit =)…. -Chris -Wharton, NJ
M&S II is NOT good pizza. M&S (the original next to basket of cheer liquors) is dover is Amazing. the best Pizza I have ever had hands down. Dinos at the Village Green in Budd Lake is a close second.
What few know is that a family feud broke out more than 25 yrs ago when the 2 brother who owned M&S parted ways. The brother (out of spite) went down the street determined to run his brother out of business by opening M&S II. Didnt happen. They hate each other to this very day and have not spoken in about 30 years.