'PizzaBowl3' is coming. Jersey's favorite pizza will be crowned Feb. 4
Jersey Pizza Joints' "PizzaBowl3" is just around the corner. Lovers of Jersey pizza should clear their calendar for Feb. 4, the day the Garden State's best slice of the year will be selected.
The pizza contest will again be held at Redd's Bar and Restaurant in Carlstadt.
In last year's bowl, shortly after 6 p.m., the judges had tasted pizza from each of the state's 16 finalists and named champion — Maruca's Tomato Pies of Seaside Heights. The winner of PizzaBowl1 was The Pizza Terminal of Verona.
"There's definitely an excitement in the kitchen when they get going," said Guy Madsen of Clifton, the organizer and founder of the Facebook Jersey Pizza Joint group, which started the contest.
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The judging is not for the faint of stomach. There are five rounds of competition for best pizza and best meatballs. In each of the first four rounds, 50 judges will select a winner from the four regions' finalists — North Jersey, Central Jersey, South Jersey and The Shore.
"It can be a long day, and people should be prepared, but we have a live band downstairs and DJ upstairs," Madsen said.
Story continues below the gallery from last year's PizzaBowl.
There's also a smattering of comics and for those sticking around a number of celebrities will be around for chatting including Garfield native Eddie Brigati of the Young Rascals, whose hits include “Good Lovin” and "It's a Beautiful Morning."
The final round consists of 40 judges, many of them celebrities, including Brigati, Joseph Donofrio who played young Tommy in "Goodfellas" and former NY Giant Stephen Baker.
How the finalists were chosen
Voting for the top pizza joints began in late fall with the finalists announced early this year. (See list below).
While there were the expected favorites, including the North region's Star Tavern of Orange and Patsy's in Paterson, the Shore region's Zoni's of Red Bank, Central Jersey's Delucia's from Raritan and South Jersey's Kate & Al's in Columbus, there's are a few new surprises, including Coniglio's in Morristown and Grumpy's in Saddle Brook, both new to Jersey's pizza scene.
Grumpy's opened last January, and Conglio's in the fall of 2022.
Coniglio's owner, Jersey native Nino Coniglio, has won Las Vegas World Pizza championships, among numerous other culinary honors.
Judges have to buy tickets at a cost of $47, but $11 from each is donated to Tunnels for Towers Foundation. PizzaBowl3 judges will be limited to 220 people. All judges will be given PizzaBowl3 credentials and will vote on an randomly selected region and blind taste pizza and meatball from region.
This year's PizzaBowl will be hosted by Steve Trevelise of Jersey 101.5.
The Region finalists
North Jersey Region Fab 4 and alternatives:
Patsy's Tavern, Paterson with 1,807 votes
Star Tavern, Orange with 406 votes
Grumpy's, Saddle Brook with 328 votes
Coniglio's, Morristown with 294 votes
Nellies, Waldwick with 256 votes
Bruno's, Clifton with 239 votes
Kinchley's, Ramsey with 225 votes
Angeloni's, Caldwell with 215 votes
Central Jersey Region Fab 4 and alternatives:
Delucia's, Raritan with 1,466 votes
Jersey Pizza Boys, Avenel with 1,225 votes
Maria's Pizza, Milltown with 608 votes
Prima Pizza, Sommerville with 452 votes
Delorenzo's, Robbinsville with 361 votes
Pappas Tomato Pies, Robbinsville with 295 votes
Santillo's, Elizabeth with 246 votes
Stan Chitchs, Bound Brook with 240 votes
Jersey Shore Region Fab 4 and alternatives
Zoni's, Middletown with 2,127 votes
Maruca's, Seaside Heights with 1,597 votes
Capricci Pizzeria, Howell with 1,562 votes
Capones, Toms River with 1,115 votes
The Galley, Asbury Park with 875 votes
Brooklyn Square, Jackson with 447 votes
Slices of Hope, Little Silver with 423 votes
Killer Pies, Asbury Park with 320 votes
South Jersey Region Fab 4 and alternatives
Riccardo's Italian, Browns Mills with 864 votes
Kate & Al's, Columbus with 149 votes
Pete's, Columbus with 118 votes
Jobstown Pizza, Jobstown with 93 votes
Palermo's, Bordentown with 80 votes
Brooklyn Original Pizzeria, Haddon Heights with 54 votes
Polizzi's Brick Oven, Sewell with 24 votes
Mamma's Meat Balls & Pizzeria, Pennsauken with 24 votes
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: 'PizzaBowl3' is coming. Jersey's favorite pizza will be crowned Feb. 4