In New Jersey, some of the most talked-about pizza puts the cheese on the bottom and the sauce on top, then gets cut into thick squares. It is called the upside-down square pie, and fans will cross county lines for a good one.
The pizzerias below, from Hoboken to South Jersey, each take this style seriously, whether they lean on a sesame crust, slow-fermented dough, or a brick oven. Save this list for your next pizza run, because each stop gives you a different reason to order that upside-down slice.
1. Brooklyn Square Pizza, Jackson Township, NJ
Sesame seeds on the bottom of a pizza crust might sound like a small detail. At Brooklyn Square Pizza, it is part of the signature, and it shows up on both the upside-down squares and the round pies.
The star here is the upside-down Brooklyn Square pie. The slices come out fluffy and doughy in the middle with a crunchy edge, and the sauce sits proudly on top.
Square fans should also look for the Gravesend, another square option that gets plenty of attention. If you have friends visiting from out of state, these are the two pies I would use to show them what Jersey square pizza is about.
Prices stay friendly too. A slice of the upside-down runs about $4.25, and most meals land in the $10 to $20 per person range.
The menu goes well past pizza, with garlic knots, Peter’s Special, Chicken Sorrentino, chicken marsala, pasta, and panini. Families get a kids’ menu and high chairs, and there is a private dining room for bigger gatherings.
The Jackson spot sits at 265 S New Prospect Rd, with free on-site parking. It opens at 11 AM most days, 10:30 AM on Mondays, and stays open until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Weekend evenings are the busiest, so a weekday lunch is the easier play.
2. PIZZAHAUS, Sayreville, NJ
Forty-eight hours. That is how long the dough rests at PIZZAHAUS before it ever becomes a pie.
The Sayreville shop builds everything around a slow-fermented dough made with a clean-label approach, meaning no bromates and no bleach. The long rise gives the crust a light, airy texture that is easier on the stomach than a lot of heavy slices.
That patience pays off on the upside-down slice, which has quickly become the order people come back for. The slices here run thin and crispy, so the upside-down style lands with more crunch than you might expect.
I like this stop for anyone who cares about what goes into their food as much as how it tastes. It is a casual counter-and-table setup, with high chairs for little ones and catering if you want to feed a crowd.
You will find it at 1816 NJ-35, with a free lot and plenty of parking. Hours run 11 AM to 8:45 PM every day except Tuesday, when it is closed.
Budget roughly $10 to $20 per person.
3. Quality Pizza Co. Hoboken, Hoboken, NJ
Open until 4 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, this Washington Street shop is where a lot of Hoboken nights end up.
Quality Pizza Co. specializes in thick-crust and grandma-style pizza, sold by the slice or the whole pie. The upside-down pizza is the one regulars tell newcomers to try first.
The crust comes out crispy, the cheese is generous, and the sauce has a noticeable oregano kick. Toppings are piled on without being skimpy, and the Grandma Square Pizza is a strong second pick if you want to compare square styles side by side.
Crust options stretch further than most places, including thin, crunchy, cauliflower, and upside-down. Garlic knots, mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, BBQ chicken pizza, burgers, and wings round out the menu.
The space is modern and clean, with outdoor seating and TVs that make it a decent spot to catch a game. It draws college students and families alike, and prices stay low at around $1 to $10 per person.
Parking is paid street parking only, so walking or transit is the smart move. Doors open at 11 AM daily at 304 Washington St.
4. Polizzi’s Brick Oven, Sewell, NJ
Most pizzerias pick a lane. Polizzi’s Brick Oven in Sewell runs New Haven, Sicilian, Detroit-style, and Neapolitan pies out of the same kitchen.
For this list, the pie to know is the Upside Down Sicilian. It comes out of the brick oven with a crisp crunch on the bottom and a bit of char on the edges.
The Sicilian lineup is deep. Look for The Soph Sicilian and The Trenton Sicilian, plus the House Pie Nonna Style Round if you want something round.
Detroit fans should know about the Lasagna Style Detroit, one of the more talked-about pies on the menu. Pies are cut into six large, thick pieces, so four people each get a corner and two get sides.
This is a family-owned South Jersey spot with cheesesteaks, a pizza steak, and wings sold by the dozen. It is counter service with no reservations, so plan to walk in.
Timing matters here. Polizzi’s is closed Sunday and Monday, runs 4 to 8 PM Tuesday through Thursday, and opens 11 AM to 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Friday evening is the busiest window, and there is free parking on site at 201 Egg Harbor Rd.
5. Brooklyn Original Pizzeria, Haddon Heights, NJ
South Jersey pizza fans who grew up on North Jersey slices tend to be tough critics. Brooklyn Original Pizzeria on Kings Highway has won a lot of them over.
The Upside Down Pizza sits right on the menu, and it is the order that gets people planning their next visit. The crust is thick but light with a good crunch, topped with plenty of cheese and a flavorful sauce.
Slices are big, and the crust gets a nice char. Add pepperoni and you get small rounds that crisp up at the edges.
Beyond the squares, the Bella Luna Pizza and a Margherita slice with basil are good vegetarian choices. The Ribeye Steak Sandwich, Brooklyn Stromboli, and Brooklyn Fries fill out the savory side, and a Sicilian cannoli makes an easy finish.
The room is homey and casual, with table service and counter ordering both available. Catering is an option for parties.
Find it at 908 W Kings Hwy with a free lot. It is closed Mondays, open 11 AM to 9:30 PM Tuesday through Thursday, until 10 PM Friday and Saturday, and noon to 8:30 PM on Sunday.
6. The Sauce Pizzeria, Oceanport, NJ
With a name like The Sauce, this Oceanport shop set a high bar for itself. The good news is that the sauce actually earns top billing.
That matters a lot on an upside-down pie, where the sauce is the first thing you taste. A lunch order of one upside-down slice and one plain slice is a smart way to see what the kitchen does best.
The crust is super crispy and holds its shape without flopping. For a little extra, the hot honey pepperoni balances sweet and spicy.
The Grandma Pizza is another square worth ordering if you are feeding a group. Subs, burgers, and a Kid’s Burger and Fries mean picky eaters are covered too.
I would save this one for a Monmouth County beach day or a quick weeknight dinner. There are high chairs, a kids’ menu, and dogs are welcome outside.
You will find it at 281 E Main St with free parking. Hours run 11 AM to 8 PM most days, 7:45 PM on Tuesdays, and until 9 PM Thursday through Saturday.
Friday evening is the rush.
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