Best Pizza at the Jersey Shore
From boardwalk slices to legendary pizzerias. The ultimate guide to shore pizza, from Wildwood's Sam's to Ocean City's Manco & Manco.
Shore Pizza Styles
Boardwalk Thin
Paper-thin crust, slightly crispy, minimal toppings. Eaten while walking.
Where: All boardwalk towns
Bar Pie
Thin, crispy, and served in 8-10 slices. Often at taverns.
Where: Northern shore, Neptune area
Sicilian
Thick, square slices with focaccia-like crust.
Where: Available at most pizzerias
Grandma
Thin-crusted square pizza with chunky tomato sauce.
Where: Vic's, various spots
Tomato Pie
Sauce on top of cheese. Trenton tradition.
Where: Maruca's, select spots
Creative/Specialty
Loaded toppings, unique combos, artisan crusts.
Where: Tony Baloney's, newer spots
Featured Pizza Spots
Manco & Manco
Ocean City
The most famous pizza at the Jersey Shore. Multiple locations along the Ocean City boardwalk serve up the thin, crispy slices that have made Ocean City a pizza destination. The plain cheese slice is perfection.
- ✓Multiple boardwalk locations
- ✓Iconic thin crust
- ✓Quick-moving lines
Best For
Tip: Go before 6pm on weekends to avoid 30+ minute waits. All locations taste the same.
Pete & Elda's
Neptune City
The definitive Jersey Shore bar pie experience. Pete & Elda's has been serving impossibly thin, crispy pies since 1950. Expect a wait, but it's absolutely worth it. The Carmen's Special is loaded perfection.
- ✓Legendary since 1950
- ✓Paper-thin bar pie crust
- ✓BYOB
- ✓Worth the wait
Best For
Tip: Arrive early (before 5pm) or late (after 8:30pm) on weekends. Bring your own beer.
Maruca's Tomato Pies
Seaside Heights
A Seaside Heights institution serving tomato pies with tangy sauce and perfect char on the crust. The boardwalk location means you can grab a slice and keep walking.
- ✓Perfect charred crust
- ✓Tangy tomato sauce
- ✓Open late
Best For
Tip: Great late-night option after the bars. The sauce is what makes it.
All Pizza Spots
Three Brothers
Ocean City🍕 Boardwalk ThinCash Only
Local favorite rivaling Manco. Crispier crust, loyal following.
Must try: White pizza
Sam's Pizza Palace
Wildwood🍕 Boardwalk Thin
Wildwood boardwalk institution since 1957. Open late.
Must try: Pepperoni slice
Vic's
Bradley Beach
Family pizzeria since 1947. Excellent sauce.
Must try: Grandma pie
Sawmill Pizza
Seaside Park🍕 Boardwalk Thin
Across from Seaside Park beach. Consistent quality.
Must try: Fresh tomato slice
Tony Baloney's
Atlantic City🎨 Creative/Specialty
Creative pies and massive slices on the Boardwalk.
Must try: Taco Pizza
Mack & Manco
Ocean City🍕 Boardwalk ThinCash Only
The original Manco family. 9th Street boardwalk location.
Must try: Cheese slice
Prep's Pizzeria
Wildwood🍕 Boardwalk Thin
Great alternative to Sam's. Solid pies, good prices.
Must try: Sicilian slice
Joe's Pizza
Point Pleasant Beach🍕 Boardwalk Thin
Jenkinson's boardwalk spot. Quick service, classic taste.
Must try: Plain slice
Bruno's Pizza
Cape May
Washington Street Mall favorite. Family-friendly.
Must try: White clam pie
Pizza by Region
Northern Shore
Sandy Hook to Point Pleasant
More influenced by North Jersey Italian traditions.
- • Pete & Elda's (Neptune City)
- • Vic's (Bradley Beach)
- • Federici's (Freehold)
Bar pies reign supreme here.
Central Shore
Seaside Heights to LBI
Peak boardwalk pizza culture. Late night slices.
- • Maruca's (Seaside)
- • Sawmill (Seaside Park)
- • Joe's (Point Pleasant)
Classic boardwalk thin is king.
Southern Shore
Atlantic City to Wildwood
Mix of classic boardwalk and creative newcomers.
- • Tony Baloney's (AC)
- • Sam's (Wildwood)
- • Prep's (Wildwood)
Best late-night options.
Cape May Region
Ocean City, Cape May, The Wildwoods
Ocean City is the pizza capital. Fierce local rivalries.
- • Manco & Manco (OC)
- • Three Brothers (OC)
- • Bruno's (Cape May)
Pick a side in the Manco debate.
Pizza Tips
Bring Cash
Most boardwalk pizza spots are cash-only. ATMs have fees.
Go Off-Peak
Lines at Manco's can be 30+ minutes on summer weekends. Try before 6pm.
Fold Your Slice
Boardwalk slices are meant to be folded. It's the Jersey way.
Try Multiple Spots
Don't just hit one place. The shore is a pizza paradise.
Ask Locals
Every local has a favorite. They'll happily share opinions.
Late Night Options
Many boardwalk pizza spots stay open until midnight or later.
🍕 How to Eat Boardwalk Pizza Like a Local
Boardwalk pizza is an art form. Here's how to eat it like a local - from the fold to the final bite.
The Fold
Fold the slice lengthwise down the middle, creating a taco shape. This is non-negotiable.
Why: Prevents droop, keeps toppings in place, and lets you eat while walking without disaster.
Rookie mistake: Eating flat without folding. The slice flops, cheese slides, and you look like a tourist.
The First Bite
Start at the tip. Take a test bite to gauge temperature. Fresh slices are molten.
Why: You need to know if it's "eat now" hot or "blow on it" hot. Burned mouth ruins the experience.
Rookie mistake: Going full bite immediately. That cheese will stick to your palate for hours.
The Hold
Support the crust with your palm, fingers underneath. Thumb on top for control.
Why: Proper grip prevents the dreaded "slice escape" where toppings slide off.
Rookie mistake: Holding only the very end of the crust. You lose control of the fold.
The Pace
Work methodically from tip to crust. Don't rush. Boardwalk pizza deserves attention.
Why: Each bite should have the right cheese-to-sauce-to-crust ratio.
Rookie mistake: Racing through it. You miss half the flavor and end up with a mouthful of crust.
The Crust Decision
Eat the crust or don't - both are valid. But if the crust is good, finish it.
Why: Good shore pizza has a crispy, slightly charred crust worth eating. Bad crust is just filler.
Rookie mistake: Throwing away amazing crust, or forcing down bad crust out of obligation.
Pro Behaviors
- ✓Order at the counter, eat standing or walking - boardwalk pizza isn't meant to be sit-down
- ✓Napkins in pocket, not in hand - you need both hands free
- ✓Don't ask for a plate to eat a single slice - it's finger food
- ✓Tip the counter staff even for a single slice - they're working hard
🗺️ Self-Guided Pizza Tours
The serious shore pizza lover doesn't settle for one slice. Here are self-guided tours for the dedicated.
Ocean City Boardwalk Tour
2.5 miles of boardwalk • 4 stops • 2-3 hours with walking
Start with the legacy
The "new" family recipe
Different concept, quality ingredients
Different style to cleanse palate
Tip: Do this at lunch or early dinner. Evening lines are brutal.
Wildwood Trio
1 mile stretch • 3 stops • 1.5-2 hours
The Wildwood institution since 1957
Different boardwalk, same debate
Not pizza but essential Wildwood
Tip: Sam's line moves fast. Don't be intimidated.
North Shore Circuit
Driving required between towns • 3 stops • 3-4 hours with driving
Shore institution, sit-down experience
Local favorite, less tourist
Historic spot worth the drive
Tip: This tour is about sit-down pizza. Bring your appetite.
Ordering Like a Pro
Ordering shore pizza efficiently means understanding how boardwalk pizza operations work.
Boardwalk Slice Shop
Under 2 minutes if you order decisivelyWalk up, order at counter, slices are displayed and reheated. Pay, grab napkins, walk away.
Order: "Two plain, one pepperoni" - be specific, speak up, have payment ready
Avoid: Complicated customizations. It's not Subway. Take what they have.
Sit-Down Pizzeria
30-45 minutes total dining experienceBe seated, order whole pies, wait 15-25 minutes for fresh bake.
Order: A large for 2-3 people, or order by the slice if available
Avoid: Ordering a pie when you only want one slice - most places don't do that
Takeout/Whole Pie
20-30 minutes if you call aheadCall ahead or walk in. Whole pies take 15-20 minutes to make fresh.
Order: "Large plain pie, pickup in 20 minutes" - calling ahead saves wait time
Avoid: Walking in expecting a fresh pie to be ready immediately
Size Guide
Single Slice
$3-5
1 person snack
Walking the boardwalk
Two Slices
$6-10
1 person meal
Standard boardwalk dinner
Large Pie (8 slices)
$18-28
2-3 people
Family or sharing
Sicilian/Square
$22-32
3-4 people
Big appetite group
⏰ Beat the Lines: Timing Your Pizza Run
Peak summer means peak lines. Here's how to time your pizza run for minimum wait.
Many boardwalk shops open at 11. You'll be among the first. Fresh slices just coming out.
Lunch rush building but manageable. Good compromise timing.
Post-lunch lull. Beach crowd hasn't come up yet. Often your best window.
Peak dinner rush. Everyone coming off the beach wants pizza. Longest lines of the day.
Crowds thin. Late-night pizza has its own charm. Fewer families, more couples.
Weekdays
Moderate
Best overall. Even dinner rush is manageable.
Saturday
Peak
Worst day. Everyone visiting. Go early or late.
Sunday
High morning, lighter evening
People heading home = shorter evening lines.
Rainy Days
Surprisingly high
Everyone escapes to boardwalk. Not the break you'd expect.
Shore Pizza Styles: A Deep Dive
Jersey Shore pizza isn't just one thing. Understanding the styles helps you find what you love.
Boardwalk Style
Evolved at NJ shore boardwalks since the 1950s
Characteristics:
- •Large, foldable slices (18-20" pies cut into 8)
- •Thin but sturdy crust that holds the fold
- •Sweet tomato sauce, generous mozzarella
- •Often sold by the slice from display cases
Texture: Crispy bottom, chewy middle, slight char on edges
Best for: Walking and eating, the quintessential boardwalk experience
Examples: Manco & Manco, Sam's Pizza Palace, Maruca's
Trenton Tomato Pie
Italian immigrants in Trenton, NJ, early 1900s
Characteristics:
- •Cheese goes down first, sauce on top
- •Thin, crispy crust (thinner than NY style)
- •Roman-style, often rectangular
- •Tangy sauce with visible tomato chunks
Texture: Super crispy, almost cracker-like crust
Best for: Purists and pizza historians, sit-down experience
Examples: Delorenzo's, Papa's Tomato Pies, Federici's
New York Style
NYC, brought to NJ by Italian-American immigrants
Characteristics:
- •Large slices, thin and pliable
- •Crispy yet foldable crust
- •Traditional sauce-then-cheese order
- •Often sold by the slice
Texture: Thin throughout, slight crunch, very foldable
Best for: The "classic" pizza slice experience, NYC transplants
Examples: Various pizzerias throughout shore towns
Sicilian/Square
Sicily, Italy - adapted in Italian-American bakeries
Characteristics:
- •Thick, spongy, focaccia-like crust
- •Cut into squares or rectangles
- •Often sauce on top of cheese
- •Crispy bottom from oiled pan
Texture: Airy interior, crispy bottom, substantial chew
Best for: Big appetites, those who want more bread
Examples: Available at most boardwalk shops as an option
The Manco & Manco Story
The great Ocean City pizza debate centers on two family pizzerias. The original Manco & Manco (now called Mack & Manco at 9th Street) split years ago, creating the current Manco & Manco chain with multiple boardwalk locations. Locals fiercely debate which is better. Our advice? Try both and join the conversation.
Ocean City GuideFrequently Asked Questions
What are the best pizza spots at the Jersey Shore?
Top spots include Manco & Manco and Three Brothers in Ocean City, Sam's Pizza Palace in Wildwood, Maruca's in Seaside Heights, and Sawmill in Seaside Park. For sit-down, try Pete & Elda's in Neptune City and Vic's in Bradley Beach.
What is boardwalk pizza?
Boardwalk pizza refers to the iconic thin-crust slices sold at shore boardwalk pizzerias. They're characterized by crispy thin crust, simple toppings, and being served on paper plates for walking. It's a Jersey Shore tradition dating back decades.
Where can I get Trenton tomato pie at the shore?
While authentic Trenton tomato pie (sauce on top of cheese) is mostly found inland, some shore spots offer similar styles. Papa's Tomato Pies has influenced shore pizza. Look for "tomato pie" on menus in Atlantic City and Cape May regions.
Are shore pizza spots cash only?
Many traditional boardwalk pizza spots are still cash-only or have minimum card purchase requirements ($10-15). ATMs are available on most boardwalks. Newer and sit-down pizzerias typically accept cards.
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