11 New Jersey Tomato Pie Pizzerias That Keep It Classic Trenton Style
New Jersey’s tomato pie tradition flips pizza on its head – literally! Unlike regular pizza, these Trenton-style classics put the cheese down first and crown it with tangy tomato sauce on top.
Born in the Garden State’s capital over a century ago, these upside-down pies create a perfect balance of flavors that locals swear by and visitors travel miles to taste.
1. Papa’s Tomato Pies – Robbinsville
America’s oldest continuously operated pizzeria doesn’t mess around! Since 1912, Papa’s has perfected their signature thin-crust tomato pies with that distinctive sauce-on-top style.
The crust? Crispy yet chewy. The sauce? Bright and tangy. Even Guy Fieri couldn’t stop raving when he featured them on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
2. De Lorenzo’s Tomato Pies – Robbinsville
Forget fancy toppings! De Lorenzo’s stripped-down approach lets their spectacular sauce shine since 1947.
Their rectangular pies emerge from blazing hot ovens with perfectly charred edges that tomato pie aficionados dream about. Cash only, no bathroom, no reservations – just pizza perfection that regularly draws lines out the door.
3. Palermo’s Tomato Pies – Bordentown / Hamilton
How does a 30-year legacy taste? Absolutely divine at Palermo’s! Their sauce-forward approach keeps locals coming back generation after generation.
While they offer regular pizza too, their tomato pies steal the spotlight with that distinctive Jersey tang. The Hamilton location might be newer, but both spots deliver that same old-school quality.
4. Classico Tomato Pies – West Windsor
Though newer to the tomato pie scene, Classico has quickly earned its stripes! Their crispy-bottomed pies feature that classic sauce-on-top construction with a modern twist.
Weekend warriors, take note – their tiny storefront gets packed faster than the Jersey Turnpike at rush hour. Smart locals call ahead to avoid the wait for these picture-perfect pies.
5. Riccardo’s Tomato Pies – Browns Mills
Hidden gem alert! Riccardo’s might be tucked away in Browns Mills, but pizza pilgrims make the journey for good reason.
Family-owned since the 1960s, they’ve kept their recipes unchanged – because why mess with delicious perfection?
6. Lillo’s Tomato Pies – Hainesport
Mama mia, that sauce! Lillo’s secret family recipe tomato topping has customers practically licking their plates clean.
If granny had the ability to cook excellent pizza, their welcoming Hainesport location would be like dining in someone’s Italian grandmother’s kitchen. After just one taste of their exquisitely balanced tomato, cheese, and crust trifecta, newcomers quickly become regulars.
7. Tiga’s Tomato Pies – Medford
Small but mighty! Tiga’s hole-in-the-wall operation packs massive flavor into every tomato pie that exits their ovens.
Their crust achieves that magical balance – sturdy enough to hold up to the sauce but light enough to keep you reaching for another slice. Medford locals guard this secret spot jealously, but the word’s getting out!
8. Antimo’s – Hopewell Township
Where tradition meets innovation! Antimo’s respects the tomato pie heritage while adding their own flair to the century-old recipe.
Because they use wood-fired methods, their pies have a unique smokiness that sets them apart from the competition. Pizza purists might raise eyebrows at some of their creative topping options, but their classic tomato pie remains gloriously authentic.
9. Sabrina’s Pizza & Restaurant – Hamilton Township
Family recipes shine at Sabrina’s! Their decades-old tomato pie tradition continues with sauce that tastes like it’s been simmering since the Kennedy administration.
The unpretentious surroundings let the food take center stage. While they offer full Italian meals, regulars know the tomato pie is the true headliner – thin, crispy, and topped with that signature Jersey sauce.
10. Original Dominick’s Pizza – Trenton
Straight from the source! Located in tomato pie’s birthplace, Dominick’s keeps it real with pies that would make their ancestors proud.
Their no-frills approach focuses on quality ingredients and time-tested techniques. Trenton tomato pie is known for its trinity of tastes, which are well complemented by the somewhat sweet sauce, cheese, and thin crust.
11. Corleone’s Old Fashion Tomato Pie & Pizza – Trenton
An offer you can’t refuse! Despite the Godfather-inspired name, there’s nothing criminal about these incredible tomato pies except how addictive they are.
Corleone’s strikes a mix between traditional methods and reliable performance. For those who love tomato pie, this Trenton restaurant is worth the drive from anywhere in Jersey because of its sauce-to-cheese ratio, which strikes the ideal sweet spot.