On my recent trip home, I had time for one last pizza adventure and decided to further explore the pizza in my hometown of Bayonne, NJ (see Part One and Part Two). I started out early on a Monday morning with Mona Lisa Pizzeria, a full service Italian restaurant located in the Bergen Point area. Mona Lisa sits just off Fifth Street where Broadway first becomes a commercial district. By local standards, Mona Lisa is relatively new to the Bayonne pizza scene having opened in 2002. During the warmer months, they offer something not often seen in Bayonne–outside dining on their front sidewalk. Our family has ordered out and enjoyed their pies in the past, but this would be the Snob’s first visit to their joint.
In checking out their web site, I noticed some major topping abuse. Mona Lisa boasts that they make 54 specialty varieties of pizza! Upon my arrival, I spied pies on their counter topped with ziti and broccoli. Not the least bit distracted by these abnormalities, I ordered a normal cheese slice at the standard local two-dollar price. Since it was just after their 11:00 a.m. opening time, I was blessed with a fresh piping-hot slice from their first pie of the day, which they graciously delivered to me in their spacious back room. It didn’t disappoint. My slice was perfect supported by a firm crisp crust, blackened on the bottom and ready for my classic “Fold and Rip” technique. It had just the right amount of cheese and tomato sauce and was quite tasty despite not having any noticeable seasoning. The Snob says you can’t go wrong at Mona Lisa but be sure to control yourself with their wild-style pies!
PIZZA SNOB RATING **** Near Perfection
Mona Lisa Pizzeria
165 Broadway (5th Street)
Bayonne, NJ 07002
201-858-1812
www.bayonnemonalisa.com
Moving on uptown through Bergen Point, in just two short city blocks I spotted three other joints that were not yet open. I also noticed one that I will never get the chance to visit, Pizza Notte, which I will add to my list of fallen pizza joints.
I continued walking north on Broadway and officially left Bergen Point crossing under the elevated Light Rail tracks. I made a quick stop at a place advertising “Bar, Restaurant & Pizza Equipment” which had long caught my attention. I didn’t see any pizza ovens inside: This was merely a small wholesaler who provided the many pizza joints in Bayonne with their small utensils and condiments. Not wanting to leave empty-handed, I bought Mrs. Pie a souvenir from my trip—a classic parmesan cheese shaker to add to our collection of home pizza supplies.
My final “eating” stop this morning was further up Broadway at a spot I had never before visited, Mario’s Pizza. I started out having to out myself as the Pizza Snob after the owner caught me snapping a picture of his place from across the street. Despite subjecting myself to possible favoritism, I enjoyed chatting with the friendly owner (not the original Mario) who happily posed for some pizza-tossing photos. Along with my $1.75 cheese slice fresh out of the oven, he treated me to a sliver of his special Sicilian pie.
Wow! What a surprisingly great slice! It was crisp and delicious–well-worth the stop. Mario’s was the kind of slice you would expect in Bayonne, slim and trim with just the right amount of everything. It did have a slightly different taste with a somewhat tangy but delightful tomato sauce. I was also surprised when I bit into the Sicilian sampler. While it had the normal expected thickness of a square slice, it was light and fluffy, bread-like rather than crisp. Although my curiosity was aroused, my stomach just didn’t have enough room to try a full slice of Mario’s Sicilian specialty. I do plan on trying one the next time I am in Bayonne as well as bringing a whole pie home from Mario’s to share with Mom and Dad!
PIZZA SNOB RATING **** Near Perfection
Mario’s Pizza
330 Broadway (between 15th and 16th Streets)
Bayonne, NJ 07002
201-339-0191
[no website]
