Bergen County has no shortage of pizza, but only a handful of shops were already slinging thin-crust pies when Elvis was on the radio. The five spots on this list were all open by the 1950s, and a few go back even further than that.
Each one still turns out the kind of crispy, thin pie that has kept families coming back for generations. If you love old-school pizza with real local history, save this list for your next weekend plan.
1. Pizza Town USA, Elmwood Park, NJ
Route 46 is lined with fast food, but one stop on the westbound side has been doing its own thing since 1958. Pizza Town USA is a counter-serve pizzeria with a patriotic, retro theme that leans fully into its vintage roots.
The pies are thin, with a crust that stays flexible up front and crisp toward the edge. The cheese-to-sauce balance is the detail regulars keep coming back for, and the house Pizza Town Pizza is the natural first order.
Save room for zeppoles. They round out a menu built around classic pies and subs.
There is no table service here, so you order at the counter and grab a seat or head out. Bring cash, since the shop is cash-only.
Late hours make it a solid night stop. It stays open until 11 PM most nights and until midnight on Friday and Saturday, with on-site parking that is usually easy to find.
2. Lido Restaurant, Hackensack, NJ
Quilted vinyl booths tell you right away that Lido is not chasing trends. The Main Street spot in Hackensack, the county seat, has been serving pizza and pub fare since 1956.
The Thin Crust Cheese Pizza is the headliner, and it is about as thin and crispy as pizza gets. Lido is also known for its sliced steak sandwiches, which make a strong case for ordering one of each.
The menu stretches further, too. French onion soup, classic calamari, and chicken parm all show up, with prices that stay reasonable.
Unlike some places on this list, Lido takes reservations and offers table service, plus a kids’ menu and high chairs. That makes it an easy pick for a family dinner.
Friday and Saturday evenings get busy, and parking can take some patience. Hours run 11 AM to 10 PM every day.
3. Kinchley’s Tavern, Ramsey, NJ
Checkered tablecloths, a mid-century tavern look, and pies so thin you could almost read through them. Kinchley’s has been on Franklin Turnpike in Ramsey since 1937, and the decor has wisely been left alone.
For decades it was known as one of the only places in the area to get thin-crust pizza. The ultra-thin bar pie is still the reason to come.
Topping options run long, so it is easy to build a pie your way. The menu also includes full vegetarian and vegan options.
I would pair a couple of large pies with a Boylan’s Red Birch Beer, which fits the old-school setting nicely. Table service is standard, and the staff keep things moving quickly.
Plan ahead on weekends. There is usually a wait, though reservations are accepted and the free lot generally has room.
One note for planners: Kinchley’s does not deliver. Takeout and dine-in are your options.
4. Barcelona’s Restaurant & Bar, Garfield, NJ
Garfield has had Barcelona’s since 1933, which means it was already a neighborhood fixture long before the 1950s rolled around. It is an old-school Italian-American spot where thin-crust pizza shares the table with hearty classics.
The very thin crust pizza is the draw. After that, look for big portions of lasagna and homemade ravioli at friendly prices.
Calamari, eggplant parmesan, and salad round out a classic order. Most plates land in the $10 to $20 per person range.
Check the calendar before heading over. The restaurant is closed Tuesdays and Sundays, and it does not take reservations.
Street parking can be tight on Harrison Avenue, so give yourself a few extra minutes. A private dining room and catering are available for bigger gatherings.
5. Curioni’s Pizza, Lodi, NJ
Opening at 7 AM is not typical for a pizzeria, but Curioni’s has never been typical. The Lodi shop has been family owned since 1923, making it the oldest stop on this list by a decade.
The Sicilian pie is the signature, and it breaks the thick-square stereotype. The crust is thin, light, and crispy, with a savory sauce that is not overly sweet.
Round thin-crust pies are on the menu too, along with square slices. Prices are some of the lowest you will find, often under $10 per person.
Hours lean early. The shop closes by late afternoon or early evening and is closed Sundays, so this is a lunch run more than a late dinner.
Street parking on Liberty Street is usually easy. Dogs are welcome outside if you bring a four-legged pizza fan along.
Five shops, five slices of Bergen County history. Pick one this weekend, then work your way through the rest.
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