Walk into almost any pizzeria in New Jersey and you will see round pies front and center, but the smart money often goes to the thin, square slice sitting quietly off to the side. The grandma pie, with its crisp bottom, bright tomato sauce, and cheese tucked under or scattered on top, has turned into the order that regulars point to without even looking at the menu.
This list covers seven spots, from Bergen County to Middlesex County and Morris County, where that square slice has earned a real following and a few creative twists along the way. Save it for your next lunch run, your next road trip, or the next time someone in your group chat asks where to find a great slice.
1. Grumpy’s Sourdough Pizza Co., Saddle Brook, NJ
Sourdough is not the first thing most people expect from a Bergen County slice shop. At Grumpy’s, it is the whole foundation, and the grandma square is where that dough gets to show off.
The crust comes out thin, with a charred edge that is crisp on the outside and soft inside. The sauce leans a touch sweet, and the cheese covers the slice without turning it into a grease puddle.
Grandma is one of several styles on the board, alongside thin crust, white, margherita, and pepperoni pies. There is also a garlic crust version of the grandma pie for anyone who wants a little extra punch.
Beyond pizza, the menu runs into hot honey wings, sliders, an Italian sub, and a cheesesteak sub. Pepperoni fans should look for the Double-Double Pepperoni.
Practical notes matter here. Grumpy’s is counter service only, does not take reservations, and is closed on Mondays, with hours from 10 AM to 10 PM Tuesday through Sunday.
There is a free lot at 522 Saddle River Road, though spaces can get tight during weekend rushes. Dogs are welcome inside, and there is a kids’ menu, so the whole household can come along.
I would aim for a weekday morning or early afternoon if you want to skip the crowd.
2. Grandma’s Pizza of Wayne NJ, Wayne, NJ
When the word grandma is right there on the sign, the square slice had better deliver. At this family-run shop on Route 23, it does.
The crust lands somewhere between soft and crisp, with a fluffy, flaky texture that makes a square slice easy to finish and hard to stop at one. The grandma pizza is the house calling card, and it shares case space with a Sicilian pie for anyone who wants a thicker square.
Where Grandma’s really stands apart is its lineup of specialty slices. The Chipotle slice has a loyal fan base, and there is also BBQ chicken, buffalo chicken, and a mac and cheese pizza that tends to win over younger eaters.
Garlic knots, pasta, sandwiches, salads like the chef salad, and even a side of dough round things out.
Families get plenty of help here. Think high chairs, a kids’ menu, dine-in tables, curbside pickup, and a free on-site lot that usually has open spaces.
The shop accepts reservations, which is handy for a group dinner. Hours run 10 AM to 10 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 9 PM on Sunday, so a late weekday pickup is an easy fit.
3. PizzAmore Italian Kitchen, Carlstadt, NJ
Some pizza shops chase trends. PizzAmore on Broad Street in Carlstadt goes the other way, focusing on grandma and Brooklyn-style pies that call back to the old neighborhood joints many North Jersey folks grew up with.
The grandma pie here is built in the Sicilian style. It is topped with a sauce that tastes like a Sunday pot, fresh mozzarella, and torn fresh basil leaves.
The crust is crisp but still has a bready chew, and the cheese is used with a light, balanced hand. It is a slice that lets the tomato do the talking.
If you want a second square to compare, the Brooklyn square is the other one to try. Ordering one of each is a fun way to see how two classic styles differ.
Meatballs are another big draw, and they show up on their own and tucked into toasted bread with plenty of cheese. Pasta and other sandwiches fill out the rest of the menu.
The space is clean and casual, with a friendly counter crew that treats first-timers like regulars. Hours are 11 AM to 8 PM most days, stretching to 9 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Parking is on the street, and Sunday mornings are usually the calmest time to swing by.
4. Slice & Co Fine Gourmet Brick Oven Pizza, Inc, Union City, NJ
Cheap eats and quality rarely share a counter, but Union City has a spot where they do. Slice & Co keeps prices in the budget range, with a plain cheese slice that has sat around the three-dollar mark.
That brick oven gives the crust a real crunch. The grandma style pie comes out fresh and bright, which makes it the natural upgrade once you have tried the basic slice.
You can grab it by the slice or order a whole pie. Pair it with garlic knots, which are one of the shop’s signature sides.
This is a family-run business, and it shows in how the place is run. Service moves quickly, and the owner and staff tend to greet people like neighbors.
The dining room is small, cozy, and fairly quiet. High chairs are on hand, and the shop can handle groups and even accepts reservations.
Night owls will like the schedule. Doors open at 9:30 AM most days and stay open until 11:30 PM Wednesday through Saturday, closing at 9:30 PM the other nights.
Parking along Summit Avenue is a mix of free and metered street spots. I would save this one for a late-evening slice run after a long day in Hudson County.
5. Gino’s Pizzeria, Jersey City, NJ
Two doors, two different experiences. Gino’s on Central Avenue has a pizzeria side with the oven, slices, and takeout, plus a separate sit-down restaurant for a full Italian meal.
This decades-old, family-owned spot is now run across multiple generations. That mix of history and fresh energy shows up on the menu, which balances old standards with newer ideas.
The grandma slice with fresh mozzarella is the one many regulars point to first. Gino’s also rotates in creative specialty squares, so the slice case is worth a close look every visit.
On the restaurant side, the menu goes deep. You will find mozzarella in carrozza, rice balls, calzones, bruschetta, chicken marsala, chicken sorrentino, rigatoni alla romano, and a Gino’s special salad.
White pizza and buffalo chicken pizza are also on the lineup. There are full vegetarian and vegan menus, too, which makes it easier to feed a mixed crowd.
Hours run from 11 AM to 10:30 PM most nights and until 11 PM on Friday and Saturday. Friday evening is the busiest window, so an early weeknight dinner is the easier play.
Street parking in the Heights can take a few loops. Free wi-fi, high chairs, and a kids’ menu make it a comfortable stop once you are inside, but reservations are not accepted.
6. Tomato Pies Italian Kitchen, Monroe Township, NJ
Central Jersey gets its turn on this list, and Tomato Pies earns it with a name that tells you exactly where its priorities lie. The sauce here leans sweet, and it pairs with a sturdy, well-baked crust.
The grandma pie is a family favorite, especially with kids. For grown-ups who like a little heat, the hot pepperoni pie is the one that tends to disappear first at the table.
The shop sits at 4 Research Way in Monroe Township. It pulls in pizza fans from well beyond the town line, including folks making the drive from farther south in the state.
Catering is a big part of the business, and pricing on larger orders stays fair. That makes Tomato Pies a smart call for a team party, a family gathering, or a school event.
Garlic knots, Italian dishes, and a full vegetarian menu fill out the rest of the lineup. A kids’ menu keeps younger eaters covered.
Plan around the schedule. The kitchen runs Monday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM and is closed on Sunday.
Parking is simple, with a free on-site lot that usually has space. There is outdoor seating when the weather cooperates, and Saturdays tend to be among the quieter days to visit.
7. Coniglio’s Old Fashioned, Morristown, NJ
Breakfast at 7 AM and a grandma square at 1 AM from the same address is not a common combo. Coniglio’s Old Fashioned on South Street in Morristown pulls off both.
Part Italian-style bakery and part pizzeria, it serves breakfast dishes, sandwiches, cappuccino, and Nonna’s Spinach Pie. Then it shifts into a full pizza operation as the day goes on.
The star square is Josephina’s Grandma, the pie that has turned plenty of first-timers into repeat customers. The sauce tastes like it came out of a family kitchen, and the crust bakes up crunchy outside with a chewy center.
Crust fans can also order the grandma pie extra crispy and add pepperoni. Specialty squares rotate onto the menu, and the classic round pies with sausage or pepperoni hold their own too.
The hours are a big selling point in downtown Morristown. Coniglio’s opens at 7 AM on weekdays and 8 AM on weekends, closing at 10 PM Sunday through Thursday and staying open until 2 AM on Friday and Saturday.
Expect paid lot and street parking, and note that reservations are not taken. Friday and Saturday nights draw the biggest crowds, so a weekday lunch is the calmer option.
From Saddle Brook to Morristown, these seven shops prove that the square slice is no side act in New Jersey. Pick one close to home, then work your way down the list.
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