Some of the oldest pizza shops in North Jersey have been serving delicious pies for decades, holding on to time-tested family recipes. These restaurants have stood the test of time, not just because of their age, but because of the quality of their food, the memories they create, and the people who make them special.
Take Barcelona’s in Garfield, for example. It is Bergen County’s oldest continuously running pizza shop, having opened in 1933. The Barcelona family has been welcoming guests with pizza, burgers, and drinks ever since. Chris LaRose, the great-grandson of Peter Barcelona, who emigrated from Sicily to open the restaurant, says not much has changed over the years.
“I’ve been here 50 years, and the pizza recipe hasn’t changed in that time. It’s been the same,” LaRose says. He is the third generation of his family to run the restaurant, which he co-owns with his siblings.
The atmosphere at Barcelona’s is simple and inviting, with a long bar and booths in the back dining area. It’s a cozy, no-frills spot where the focus is on good, old-fashioned food and friendly service. That’s the charm of these long-standing businesses — they’ve been doing it right for so long that there’s no need for change.
North Jersey is home to several pizzerias that have been around since before the U.S. had 50 states. While some have changed ownership or locations, many have been passed down through the generations. Regardless of how they’ve evolved, they remain a must-visit for pizza lovers.
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