Continuing to explore pizza in the city of my birth, my challenge this time was to see where I could get a slice on Broadway after 11 p.m. on a Friday night. Coming off the New Jersey Turnpike, I headed downtown on a rainy spring evening. Noticing some lights and activity on the northeast corner of 46th Street, I stopped at Joe’s Pizzeria, a place that was new to me.
Plenty of delivery activity surrounded Joe’s. Some on-duty Bayonne police officers were just finishing up their dinner break. Stepping inside the free-standing building, Joe’s was nothing more than a small room with just a few tables. A single table full of youngsters looked to be putting a pizza night cap on their evening. Although the joint had a few other menu items, it pretty much was in business for its pizza.
I approached the counter to find quite an assortment of pies under glass, including a Sicilian, with nary a plain cheese in sight. Expecting a delay when I ordered mine that way ($1.95,cash only, ATM available) magically a readymade plain cheeser appeared. My server then proceeded to fire it up in the oven. While waiting, I took a visit to the potty which I found to be a room in desperate need of some renovation.
Summoned back to the counter when my slice was ready, I immediately knew that I held pizza perfection in my hand. This work of art stood firmly at attention with precision accuracy as to the appropriate thinness and cheese to sauce ratio. The crust handle allowed it to be easily guided into my mouth without any compromise of balance. Perfection!
It was delicious! What stood out to me most was the savory garlic seasoning added to the sauce. Firm yet crisp, it was delightfully chewy not crunchy. Had I not planned to sample other slices on Broadway at this hour, I would have surely had another.
I continued my drive south on Broadway, and, surprisingly, the only other joint I saw open–other than a few bars that I suspect served pie–was Pizza Masters which I had previously visited. Had it not been so late, I might have just headed back to Joe’s for more. For a late night in Bayonne, there’s no question in my mind that Joe’s is the place to go for a great slice!
PIZZA SNOB RATING ***** Sets the Standard
Joe’s Pizzeria
956 Broadway (between 45th and 46th Streets)
Bayonne, NJ 07002
201-437-6677
[No website]
