Pizza Bowl top 12 finalists selected. Did your favorite NJ pizzeria make it?

Matt Fagan, NorthJersey.com
·3 min read

The countdown to Pizza Bowl IV has officially begun.

After more than 10,000 votes came in from the 91,000-member Facebook page "Jersey Pizza Joints," the top 12 pizzerias have been selected to advance to the fourth annual pizza bakeoff on Feb. 3, at Redd's Bar & Restaurant in Carlstadt.

"Out of 3,300 pizza joints in New Jersey, they've selected the delicious dozen," Jersey Pizza Joints founder Guy Madsen said.

In all, more than 250 pizzerias were nominated in the voting, representing the top 8% in the state, he said.

Madsen simplified the contest this year, breaking down New Jersey into three sections, north, central, and south. The former Jersey Shore section has been folded into the south or central locations.

Event founder Guy Madsen with former NY Giants, Stephen Baker the Touchdown Maker at the Pizza Bowl, held at Redd’s in Carlstadt where Jersey Pizza Joints held their annual pizza tasting contest to award the winner of the best pizza in New Jersey on February 4, 2023.
Event founder Guy Madsen with former NY Giants, Stephen Baker the Touchdown Maker at the Pizza Bowl, held at Redd’s in Carlstadt where Jersey Pizza Joints held their annual pizza tasting contest to award the winner of the best pizza in New Jersey on February 4, 2023.

This year Jersey Pizza Joints has added a few new celebrity judges: Lexy and Tommy DeVito, parents of the Giants rookie quarterback, as well as members of the Smithereens.

Madsen is also expecting Rascal singer Eddie Brigati of Garfield who will return this year to perform with Aloha Monkey, some of Rascal standards such as "Groovin'" and "It's a Beautiful Morning."

The competition

Right after the new year, Jersey Pizza Joints announced the Pizza Bowl 4 Fabulous Four top vote-getters for each of the three regions.

North

  • 1. Grumpys - Saddlebrook with 264 votes

  • 2. Nellies - Waldwick with 256 votes

  • 3. Coniglio's - Morristown with 178 votes

  • 4. Vinnie's Mootz - Lyndhurst with 172 votes.

Central

  • 1. Capricci Pizzeria & Rest – Howell with 524 votes

  • 2. Squan Tavern-- Manasquan with 423 votes

  • 3. Maruca’s – Seaside Heights with 400 votes

  • 4. Mancini's - East Brunswick with 361

South

  • 1. Nonna’s Pizza – Deptford with 284 Votes

  • 2. Polizzi Brick Oven – Sewell with 215 Votes

  • 3. Lillo’s – Hainesport with 88 Votes

  • 4. Riccardo’s – Browns Mill with 73 Votes

If for any reason a Fab 4 finalist cannot attend the next highest vote-getter will be invited until there is a full bracket.

Madsen said perennial top vote-getter Patsy's of Paterson has scratched itself from the bake-off.

"It's hard for some of these shops to take the time off," Madsen said. "I purposefully pick the weekend before the Super Bowl when it might be less busy for them.

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In the list, there are two out of the first three champions in the mix, Maruca's, a tomato pie, and Coniglio's, a Brooklyn-style pie. Other perennial pizza joints, such as Grumpy's, Lillo's and Riccardo's are also in the mix.

Nino Coniglio, owner of the namesake pizza place said he's grateful to be included and said they will be there "without a doubt." He said he intends to defend his crown. "It's what we do," he said, pizza making is "what we live and breathe."

Also to be determined on Feb. 3 are the state's top meatballs as well as a legendary pizza maker to be included in the hall of fame.

Tickets for the event this year are $50, plus handling charges. Pizza Bowl IV is a fundraiser for Tunnels to Towers Foundation, which raises funds for America’s first responders and Goldstar families.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Pizza Bowl top 12 finalists selected. See list