Day 13, 2017: De Lorenzo's Tomato Pies (Robbinsville, NJ)

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Interior

DAY 13: OCTOBER 13th, 2017

LOCATION: De Lorenzo's Tomato Pies (2350 NJ-33, Robbinsville, NJ 08691)

GUEST(S): Michael Kornhauser, Kitty Kornhauser, Patrick, Robin Rothman

ORDER: 3 slices of sausage with extra tomato, 2 slices of pepperoni, 2 slices of plain with extra tomato, 1 slice of red clam

REVIEW: 
The pinnacle of pizza. Whether you call it a tomato pie or a pizza with the cheese under the sauce, De Lorenzo's Tomato Pies has been making the best of both since 1936. Three generations and three storefronts later, the current landmark (for anyone seeking to hit the all of the wonders of the pizza world) is in Robbinsville, New Jersey.  The De Lorenzo family emigrated from Southern Italy in the early 20th century bringing with them their recipes, cooking techniques and authentically secret "secret sauce." Check the hours beforehand and expect a line once you arrive because everyone who has ever been to this institution is either planning to come back or already there. You can BYOB or fill up on birch beer but save room for the hand sliced tomato pies. My favorite is the sausage with extra tomato.  Combining their signature crushed tomato sauce and locally sourced sausage with a low moisture mozzarella cheese specifically designed for their gas powered deck ovens would already make a great slice, but that would be leaving out the best part: the crust. Thin yet sturdy, crisp yet chewy, unique, yet perfectly uniform - no description of a De Lorenzo crust can do it justice. Just like the Grand Canyon; you have to go there to really understand what the fuss is all about so...what are you waiting for?


PHOTOS:

Sign from the original De Lorenzo's from Trenton, NJ

Gas power deck ovens and make table

Plain cheese, extra tomato sauce

Large Pepperoni

Slice of plain cheese with extra tomato sauce

Underside

Large sausage with extra tomato sauce

Small Clam with tomato sauce

Slice of pepperoni

MISCELLANEOUS:

Kitty, Michael, Robin, Sean, Patrick

1. Michael Kornhauser is an awesome third basemen. He and I play on the same softball team in the Williamsburg Softball league (WSL). The team is called the Turkeys. Patrick is our #1 fan and I feel like coined our battle cry "Gobble!"

2. Patrick loves basketball so much that he has made a career out of it!

3. Kitty Kornhauser and Michael Kornhauser have been going to De Lorenzo's so long they know the owner, the owner's dad and the owner's grandfather. They were kind enough to introduce me to the current owner, Sam Amico (founder Alexander "Chick" De Lorenzo's grand son).

Sam and the crew and I

 4. I was fortunate enough to meet Sam and the crew and honored to get a photo "behind the counter."

To go pies

5. After our feast, Robin and I were absolutely stuffed to the brim.  Michael and Patrick, on the other hand ordered four pies to go!  Hours later, I realized how wise they were to do so.  When you visit De Lorenzo's in Robbinsville, order as many pies as you can.

RATING:
 5/5

• VALUE:
   5/5


• AMBIENCE:
   3/3


• TASTE:
   10/10


• SERVICE:
   3/3

21/21 = 1 x 5 = 5