Passaic County has plenty of new pizza spots, but some of its best slices come from places that have been firing ovens since your grandparents were kids. These shops survived changing neighborhoods, new highways, and every food trend you can name by doing one thing well.
This list covers six long-running pizzerias in Paterson, Clifton, and Little Falls, from a tavern with a 1931 brick oven to a Clifton standard that opened in 1945. Some are sit-down spots that ask for reservations, and some are quick counters where a slice and a seat is the whole plan.
Each one earned its spot by sticking around, and each has its own reason to visit. Save this list for your next pizza night, and maybe send it to the friend who always argues about who makes the best pie in North Jersey.
1. Patsy’s Tavern & Restaurant, Paterson, NJ
A brick oven dating to 1931 still anchors the kitchen at this Paterson tavern, and that alone tells you a lot. Patsy’s has stayed true to its roots for close to a century, and families keep coming back generation after generation.
The pizza here is thin, well rounded, and crisp on the bottom. Regulars often go for a half pepperoni pie or the Garbage Pie, a loaded vegetarian option.
Don’t skip the starters. Rice balls, garlic bread, and eggplant parmigiana round out a menu of pasta and Italian classics, along with crispy potatoes and sausage.
Planning matters with this one. Patsy’s is closed Sunday and Monday, serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 4:30 to 9 PM, and adds a short lunch window on Thursday and Friday from 11 AM to 1 PM.
Reservations are expected, and parking at 72 7th Ave can be tight even with a free lot and street spaces. Build in a few extra minutes and you will be glad you did.
2. Mario’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, Clifton, NJ
Clifton has been ordering from Mario’s since 1945. That is a long run for any restaurant on Van Houten Avenue, and the family-run spot shows no sign of slowing down.
The pizza is thin crust with a careful balance of cheese, sauce, bread, and toppings. I like this stop because it works for both a quick slice and a full Italian dinner.
The menu goes well beyond pies. Think shrimp parmigiana, cavatelli and broccoli, lobster ravioli with shrimp, chicken risotto, baked ziti, and calzones.
The dining room is roomy, and there is a private dining room for bigger gatherings. Catering, delivery, and takeout are all available, and there is a kids’ menu too.
Mario’s is open seven days a week, generally 11 AM to 10 PM, with Friday and Saturday running until 10:30. Friday evening is the busiest stretch, and parking is usually easy to find at 710 Van Houten Ave.
3. Bruno’s Pizza, Clifton, NJ
Square slice fans, this one is for you. Bruno’s on Route 46 is known for saucy Sicilian pies with real flavor, and some customers have been eating here for more than 35 years.
The family-owned shop keeps things low-key and quick. Order at the counter or grab a table, and lunch or dinner moves along fast.
Beyond the Sicilian slice, the menu includes a Boardwalk Pizza, meat lasagna, wings, an eggplant stack, cavatelli and broccoli, and arancini rice balls. The subs have a following of their own.
Prices land in the budget-friendly range, roughly $10 to $20 per person. There is a full vegetarian menu, a kids’ menu, and outdoor space where dogs are welcome.
Bruno’s opens early, at 10:30 AM most days and 10 AM on Sunday. Saturday afternoon and evening get busy, the lot at 1006 US-46 is free, and reservations are not taken.
4. Joe’s Pizzeria, Paterson, NJ
Small room, big track record. Joe’s has been a Paterson tradition for more than 40 years, and it has done it without any fuss.
The shop on Broadway is pint-sized, with a handful of seats and a menu of pizza, heros, and everyday comfort food. Prices are among the friendliest on this list, often under $10 per person.
It is clean, quiet, and built for a quick lunch or an early dinner. Delivery and takeout are options if you would rather eat at home.
Timing is key here. Joe’s runs from 10:30 AM to 7 PM on weekdays, 11 AM to 7 PM on Saturday, and closes on Sunday, so this is not a late-night stop.
I would save this one for a weekday slice run when you want something simple done right. Find it at 102 Broadway.
5. MainLine Pizzeria, Little Falls Township, NJ
Mondays and Tuesdays carry a nice bonus in Little Falls. MainLine has been known to run half-price large subs on those days, and the MainLine Special Italian sub is the one to know.
The pizza earns the attention too. Expect a thin, crispy crust with plenty of cheese and a tasty sauce, sold by the slice or as a plain pie.
Customers have been coming here since at least 1990. It is the kind of small-town shop where the owner knows regulars by name.
The setting at 8 E Main St is casual and quiet, with free parking that is usually easy to find. Monday and Friday evenings tend to be the busiest.
Hours run 10 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 11 AM to 9 PM on Saturday. MainLine is closed Sunday and does not take reservations.
6. Taormina, Paterson, NJ
Paper plates are part of the charm at Taormina. This old-school storefront parlor on Madison Avenue serves classic New York-style pies with zero pretense.
The crust is on the fluffy side, the sauce leans sweet, and the cheese stays balanced. It is a style that people who grew up on it tend to stay loyal to for life.
Taormina is family owned, and that shows in the friendly service. Kids, college students, and big groups all fit right in.
Catering and takeout are available, and reservations are accepted if you are bringing a crowd. Thursday evenings and Friday and Saturday afternoons into evenings are the busiest times.
Hours are 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Thursday and 11 AM to 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. The shop at 301 Madison Ave is closed Sunday, so plan your pizza craving accordingly.
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