This New Jersey Pizza Joint Is So Popular, A Long Drive Won’t Stop Its Biggest Fans

A giant horse stands on the roof of a pizza place in northern New Jersey. Yes, a horse.

And somehow, that’s not even the most interesting thing about this place.

Inside, the pizza has been winning fans for generations. The kind of fans who don’t mind driving miles for a slice and probably wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else.

There’s something about old-school pizza joints that keeps me coming back. Maybe it’s the familiar atmosphere, maybe it’s the pizza, or maybe it’s the feeling that some things really don’t need changing.

But when people are willing to make a long drive just for dinner, I have to wonder: what makes this place so hard to resist?

Your Crust Won’t Get Any Thinner Than This Famous Bar Pie

Some recipes get tweaked every few years to chase trends. At Kinchley’s Tavern, the ultra-thin bar pie has stayed the same since 1947, and that stubbornness is the whole point.

A bar pie is a smaller, cracker-thin pizza with a crisp edge. It’s a style that grew up in New Jersey taverns, and this spot has been making its version for more than seven decades.

The crust is the star of the show. It stays thin and crispy, so you can enjoy more than one slice without feeling like you need a nap afterward.

That thinness also changes how you order. Instead of one heavy pie for the table, groups often mix and match different toppings, since each pie feels lighter than a classic thick slice.

Fans of foldable, floppy pizza might need a moment to adjust. This crust snaps more than it bends, and that crunch is exactly what keeps loyal eaters coming back for another round.

Here’s a smart move for first-timers. Start with a plain pie so you can taste the recipe the way it was meant to be, then branch out to toppings on your next visit.

The Garbage Pie Sounds Wild Until You Read the Toppings

Calling a pizza garbage is a bold marketing choice. Somehow, it works, because the Garbage Pie is basically everything good on one crispy crust.

The toppings list reads like a pizza family reunion. You get pepperoni, sausage, onion, mushroom, sweet pepper, and anchovy, all piled onto that famous thin base.

Anchovies tend to split a crowd right down the middle. If your table is divided, it’s worth asking about leaving them off half the pie so everyone stays happy.

Not into the kitchen-sink approach? The menu also offers pies made with vodka sauce, which adds a creamy, pink twist to the classic red sauce flavor.

Then there’s the Kreamed Spinach option, spelled with a playful K. It’s a fun pick for anyone who wants something richer and a little greener than the usual pepperoni pie.

Fra diavolo sauce also gets plenty of attention here, and it brings a spicy kick to the table. Heat lovers should put it on their list, while milder eaters might want a slice of something else nearby, just in case the spice wins the fight.

Pizza Gets the Fame, But the Rest of the Menu Deserves a Look

Plenty of pizza places treat everything else on the menu like an afterthought. Kinchley’s Tavern goes the other way, with a full lineup of Italian-American comfort food.

Pastas and parmigianas cover the classic side of things. Meatballs show up too, and they’re a solid choice if someone at your table wants a break from crust.

Sandwich fans have options as well. The menu lists a cheesesteak, a hamburger, and a pizza burger, which sounds like the perfect peace treaty between two cravings.

Bigger appetites can look at the entrees. Breaded chicken and veal cutlets are on the menu, along with fried seafood platters for anyone who wants a crunch that isn’t pizza.

Bringing a picky eater along? This variety is great news, because it means the person who somehow doesn’t love pizza won’t be stuck staring at the menu wondering why they came.

Everybody leaves full, and nobody has to fake a smile.

Save Room, Because a Volcano Cake Is Waiting

Hot Chocolate Lava Volcano Cake. Just reading that name out loud is enough to make most people quietly push their pizza crusts aside to save space.

Dessert at Kinchley’s Tavern leans proudly old-fashioned. The menu features ice cream sundaes, which feel right at home in a place with red checkered tablecloths and toy trains.

Italian ice is another option for anyone who wants something refreshing after pizza. It’s a lighter way to finish a meal full of rich flavors.

For something a little more retro, look for the New York Style Egg Creams. Despite the name, an egg cream traditionally has no egg and no cream, just milk, chocolate syrup, and fizzy seltzer.

That fun fact makes a great conversation starter while you wait. It also explains why so many grandparents light up when they spot one on a menu.

Families with kids might want to plan ahead here. Since the pizza is thin, there’s a decent chance little ones will still have room for a sundae, so order with that sweet finish in mind.

Toy Trains and Wagon Wheels Make This Dining Room Feel Like a Time Machine

Wood paneling, red checkered tablecloths, and wagon wheel lamps. The dining room at Kinchley’s Tavern looks like it skipped every decorating trend since your grandparents were teenagers, and that’s a compliment.

Booths and tables give you a choice in seating. Booths feel snug and private, while tables work well for bigger groups that need room for several pies at once.

The wagon wheel lamps cast a warm glow over everything. It’s the kind of lighting that makes a casual weeknight dinner feel a bit more special without trying too hard.

Now for the detail kids remember most. A divider filled with toy trains separates the bar from the dining room, giving young diners something fun to stare at while they wait.

That divider does double duty. It keeps the family dining area feeling separate, so the place works as both a classic tavern and a family-friendly Italian restaurant.

The space isn’t huge, so expect a cozy setup rather than wide-open seating. Think of it as part of the charm, because a snug room full of pizza fans has its own kind of energy.

Look Up, Because There’s a Horse on the Roof

Directions to most restaurants involve street signs. Directions to Kinchley’s Tavern could honestly just say to watch for the big horse on top of the building.

A large Clydesdale statue sits on the roof of the free-standing brick building. It was added in 2008 as a tribute to the owner’s father, which gives the quirky landmark a heartfelt story.

That backstory makes the horse more than a goofy roadside sight. It’s a family memory on display for every driver passing by on Franklin Turnpike.

Kids tend to spot it first, so get ready for some excited pointing from the back seat. Adults usually follow with a second glance and maybe a quick photo.

The horse also helps with a practical problem. If it’s your first trip, you won’t have to squint at storefronts, because a rooftop Clydesdale is very hard to miss.

Parking is another bonus at this stop. The lot is ample, though it can feel snug when the dining room is busy.

Arriving a little early gives you a better shot at an easy spot and a calmer start to your meal.

Nearly Nine Decades of History Come With Every Slice

Back in 1937, this spot opened as a bar, with no pizza in sight. About ten years later, around 1947, the pizza arrived, and the place was never quite the same.

The Kinchley family ran the tavern for decades. In 1986, the Margolis family bought it, and today George Margolis co-owns the business with his mother, Abby.

Changing owners can sometimes mean changing everything. Here, the new family kept the original pizza recipe exactly as it was, which explains why longtime fans still feel right at home.

That loyalty has earned plenty of praise over the years. The bar pie has picked up honors from Zagat, The Record, New Jersey Monthly, the Herald News, and several radio stations.

NJ.com has called Kinchley’s Tavern a Bergen County institution. It has also been named one of the oldest pizzerias in New Jersey, a title few places can claim.

Many families treat a visit as a tradition passed down through generations. Grandparents who came as kids now bring their grandkids, and the pizza tastes the same for all of them.

That’s a rare kind of continuity in any town.

Bring Cash, or Make Friends With the ATM

Credit cards stay in your pocket at this place. Kinchley’s Tavern is cash only for in-house purchases, and checks aren’t accepted either.

Don’t panic if you forgot to stop at the bank. An ATM sits right on the premises, so you can grab what you need without leaving the building.

Still, showing up prepared makes life easier. Hitting a bank before you arrive saves time and keeps you from adding extra fees to your pizza night.

Planning ahead helps in another way too. The tavern accepts reservations, and that can be a lifesaver when the dining room fills up during busy hours.

Not in the mood to sit down? Takeout and delivery are both available, which is perfect for movie nights at home or feeding a crowd at a birthday party.

Accessibility matters as well, and the restaurant is wheelchair accessible. Restrooms are available too, which parents of small children will appreciate after a long drive.

A little preparation means you’ll spend less time worrying about details and more time arguing over who gets the last crispy slice.

Plan Your Trip Around the Big Weekend Rush

Mark your map for 586 Franklin Turnpike, Ramsey, NJ 07446. That’s where Kinchley’s Tavern has been drawing pizza fans from near and far.

Good news for spontaneous cravings. The tavern opens seven days a week and serves guests 364 days a year, closing only on Christmas Day.

Hours can shift, so check the latest schedule before you head out. Nobody wants to drive a long way just to stare at a rooftop horse with an empty stomach.

Timing makes a real difference here. Fall and winter weekends can get especially crowded, particularly after local events like Don Bosco games let out.

Visiting on a weeknight can mean a more relaxed meal. If a weekend is your only option, a reservation can help you skip some of the waiting.

Coming from farther away? Turn the trip into a mini adventure by building a fun New Jersey day around it, with pizza as the grand finale.

Some fans gladly make long journeys for these pies, and once you taste that crackly crust, the miles on the odometer might start to feel like a pretty fair trade.