Some pizza shops chase trends, and some just keep making the same thin pie they made thirty years ago. In one small New Jersey town, a neighborhood counter has built a loyal following by refusing to change what works.
Families who came here as kids now bring their own kids, and the slices have stayed just as thin as they remember. Keep reading to learn the story behind the shop, how to order smartly, and when to show up.
A Pizza Counter on Westfield Avenue
The address to save is 72 Westfield Ave, Clark, NJ 07066, in Union County, New Jersey, United States. That is where Pompeii Pizzeria has been serving thin crust pizza to the town for more than three decades.
It is a pizza restaurant in the most classic sense. There is a counter, there are slices, and there are whole pies ready to go home in a box.
Clark is a quiet suburban township, and the shop fits right in. It is not a flashy destination with a long line of gimmicks.
Instead, it is the kind of place locals call a staple in Clark. Many people describe it as the best pizza in town, and some go further and call it the best in the area for thin crust.
The shop offers dine-in seating, pickup, and delivery. So the pizza can be enjoyed at a table, in the car, or on the couch at home.
Word of mouth keeps it busy. Posts on the local Clark Facebook page have sent plenty of newcomers through the door to see what the fuss is about.
For a town this size, having a shop with this much loyalty says a lot. The next question is how it earned all that trust.
Thirty Years of the Same Slice
Longevity is rare in the restaurant world, yet this shop has kept its recipe steady for over 30 years. People who first came here as children still come back as adults.
A big part of the current chapter involves an ownership change. The shop is now run by Blake, who took over and made a clear choice to keep things the way they were.
That decision matters to regulars. Many credit Blake with preserving the legacy of the place instead of trying to make it bigger or flashier.
Longtime fans describe the shop as an old faithful in the community. It is the spot where a quick slice and a soda feel like a small tradition.
Ownership transfers can go sideways when new owners try to reinvent everything. Here, the story went the other direction, with the pie staying just as it has been for decades.
Some people who had not stopped in for years have returned recently and found the pizza still worth the trip. That kind of consistency is hard to fake.
History is nice, but pizza is the real reason people line up. So what exactly makes the pie so popular?
The Thin Crust Everyone Talks About
Thin crust is the headline act, and it is mentioned more than anything else on the menu. Fans call it old school, and they mean it as the highest compliment.
The slices are wide and very thin. Some folks warn that the large size can flop a little, so a fold down the middle is a smart move.
Regulars often praise the crust for staying crisp. One Friday family admits they do not know what the kitchen is doing to the crust lately, but they hope it never stops.
The sauce gets its own fan club. It has a balance of sweetness and tang, and it is spread across the pie without turning into a mess.
The cheese is described as good quality. The pie is not too greasy, which makes it easy to go back for a second slice.
Not every opinion is glowing. A few people feel the crust was crisper in years past, and some prefer a fresh whole pie over a reheated slice.
That is a handy tip. Ordering a full pie is the surest way to get the crust at its best.
Still, for lovers of the thin and saucy style, this is the slice the town keeps returning to.
Square Pies and Specialty Slices
Round pies get most of the attention, but the square side of the menu has its own devoted crowd. The Sicilian pie and the grandma pie both earn steady praise.
The grandma pie in particular brings out nostalgia. Some families say it reminds them of the homemade pies an older relative used to make.
Specialty pies round out the lineup. The Florentine style spinach pie is often called a must try, and a few fans say it is on another level.
Supreme pies are a popular order too. On one busy night, the owner mentioned serving around nine of them.
Topping combinations are easy to customize. A half and half pie lets two people split one order without arguing over what goes on top.
Not every specialty lands for everyone, of course. Personal taste plays a role, and some prefer to stick with a plain slice to judge the shop by its basics.
That plain slice is a fair test. If the simple cheese pie holds up, the fancier pies usually do too.
With this many options, choosing only one may be the hardest part of the visit.
More Than Just Pizza on the Menu
Pizza may be the star, but the kitchen keeps a much wider menu going behind the counter. Families can feed picky eaters and big appetites in one order.
The lineup includes sandwiches, wraps, dinners, and appetizers. Some regulars even say one of the house sandwiches is the thing to order next time.
Many people use side dishes as a test of a pizzeria. The thinking is simple: if a shop takes care of the small items, the whole menu tends to be solid.
Opinions on the extras are mostly positive. Kids in particular seem to be big fans of the sides, and some parents say they keep ordering them for that reason.
A few older comments mention misses on certain items. The kitchen seems to be at its strongest with its signature pies and house favorites.
Regulars have their routines. One family orders pizza every Friday alongside a seafood dish, and another household orders from the shop twice a week.
The full menu is posted on the official website. Checking it before calling makes ordering faster, especially during the dinner rush.
So the next question becomes a practical one: what is the best way to place that order?
Why a Phone Call Beats the App
Here is a money saving secret many first timers miss. Third party ordering services can add extra charges to your bill.
Some customers have been surprised to find a pie costing several dollars more online than at the counter. The owner has explained that these outside platforms set their own charges, and the shop does not keep that extra money.
His advice is simple. Call the shop directly if you want to skip those added costs.
The shop does offer its own official website and mobile app for ordering. Those are the platforms the team points people to when online ordering is the preferred route.
The owner has also been open about the reality of running a small business today. Online systems are needed for convenience, even if no small shop loves the extra fees.
Pickup timing earns praise too. When the counter says an order will be ready in 15 minutes, many people say it truly is.
A small tip: calmly ask at the counter if a price looks off. The dinner rush gets hectic, and patience goes a long way.
Once the order is placed, the only thing left is deciding where to eat it.
Small Room, Friendly Faces
Nobody comes here for fancy decor. The room is simple, and the focus stays on the counter and the ovens.
Many people point out that the dining area is kept clean. Service is often described as courteous and friendly.
Several regulars say the staff treats them like family. That warmth is a big reason people keep choosing this shop over others nearby.
Opinions are not unanimous, which is fair for any long running spot. A few people have found the space a little tired or the service slow on certain days.
The shop works well for a quick lunch, a casual family dinner, or a slice on the way home. It suits people who care more about the pizza than the setting.
There is also a sweet community touch. Parents have shared that the shop gives out pizza boxes for school projects free of charge, with no purchase needed.
That small gesture brought at least one family in for a first try. They left as fans of the pizza itself.
Moments like that explain why people call this place a true neighborhood shop, and not just another stop for takeout.
Hours, Costs, and Timing Tips
Planning ahead is easy because the schedule is refreshingly simple. The shop opens seven days a week.
From Monday through Saturday, hours run from 11 AM to 8 PM. On Sunday, doors open a little later, from 12 PM to 8 PM.
That 8 PM closing time is earlier than some pizzerias. Late dinner plans should account for it.
Showing up close to closing can work in your favor, though. One guest arrived a little after 8 PM on a quiet night years ago and found an empty room and a pie that was spot on.
Dinner hours can get busy, especially on weekends. Calling ahead helps avoid a long wait when the shop is slammed.
Costs are friendly for a family meal. Some diners have said the prices came in lower than they expected.
Remember that ordering through outside apps may raise the total. A direct call or the official website keeps things closer to counter prices.
Parking and access are typical for a suburban street in Clark. It is an easy stop for anyone driving through Union County.
With the details sorted, only one question remains: is it worth the trip?
The Verdict on Clark’s Old Faithful
Some restaurants try to impress with trends. This one wins people over by staying the same.
The thin crust pie is the reason to go. Fans praise the crust, the balanced sauce, and a recipe that has held steady for over 30 years.
The square pies and specialty options give repeat customers plenty to explore. The wider menu makes it easy to feed a whole family in one stop.
It is not perfect for everyone. Some prefer a thicker style, and a few feel the shop was even better in years past.
Still, the loyalty speaks loudly. People order twice a week, keep Friday pizza traditions, and return after years away to find the same slice waiting.
A few simple habits make the visit better. Call directly to skip extra app charges, order a whole pie for the freshest crust, and arrive before the 8 PM close.
For thin crust fans in New Jersey, this small counter in Clark is an easy recommendation. It proves that keeping a good thing going can be its own kind of success.
Grab a pie, fold a slice, and see why the town keeps coming back.
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