Here are the pizzas you thought should have been in our March Madness bracket (but weren't)

You don't need us to tell you that New Jersey takes its pizza seriously.

According to the magazine New Jersey's Best, on average there's at least one pizzeria within a four-mile radius of every residence in New Jersey. Indeed, Statista, a digital statistics site that provides market and consumer data, noted that the Garden State had 3,161 pizzerias in 2019, putting it in 7th place for the state with the greatest number of pizza joints. (California is No. 1.)

And New Jersey doesn't just produce lots of pizzas. It makes lots of really good, make that, great pizza. And we're not the only ones saying that. Two years ago, Food & Wine named New Jersey the best pizza state in the USA.

It should come as no surprise therefore that when we at Northjersey.com asked you, our pizza-loving readers, for your favorite pizza, March Madness-style, in brackets of elimination rounds, you had quite a bit to say to us — not only about the pizzerias we listed, but those that didn't make it onto our bracket. Of course, we asked for your favorite pizza in North Jersey.

"How can Reservoir Tavern be on the list but not Columbia Inn," asked chef Arthur Marston of Pompton Lakes on northjerseyeats Instagram account. "What, are you high?"

"Where's Originals in (Washington) Township?" Shawn Urscheler wanted to know. "Originals has the best pizza in Pascack Valley."

"Garbage list," Tony Parti opined. "Doesn't even have Joe's Rotisseria on here."

Arthur, Shawn, Tony and all avid fans of pizza in North Jersey, we love your pizza passion. We too are passionate about a good slice. But, to say the obvious, there is no way to include every great North Jersey pizza joint in a 32-contestant bracket. So here are the pizza places you told us you loved that did not make it into the competition.

Angeloni's Restaurant and Pizzeria, Caldwell

To John McAndrew, not including Angeloni's in our March Madness pizza bracket was "the snub of the year." Fans — and there are many (again, see our Instagram page) – of this 11-year-old neighborhood staple agree.

Ever had the "Thinny Thin," Angeloni's signature paper-thin pie that sports a unique burnt cheese crust on which you can add just about any topping: including, yes, pizza? What about its wildly popular Zingada, a pie with a razor-thin crust loaded with finely diced pepperoni, mushroom, sausage, meatball, hot cherry peppers and crowned by aged parmesan cheese? What about the Gina Marie with homemade mozzarella, marinated eggplant and a nice helping of garlic?

No? What are you waiting for? Fan Brendan Baum thinks you are making a big mistake. "The Thinny Thin pie is an absolute must," he told us. "Cheese all the way through the end of the crust which crisps up in the oven. It is heavenly."

Manager Jacob Sievers was touched — but not surprised — by the outpouring of love Angeloni's received.

"It’s pretty cool that we have a loyal fan base like that," he said. "It's tight-knit community. I have a lot of gratitude."

He added that Angeloni's is a family-owned pizzeria that treats "our customers like family." Family that likes really, really good pizza.

Go: 6 Brookside Ave., Caldwell; 973-226-1234

In addition:

Cafe L'Amore, Oakland. "Low in fat, rich in taste, and at the upper end of the value scale" is how The Record described Cafe L'Amore's menu when it visited the restaurant a while ago. The joint owns a brick oven and slings thin-crust pies. According to Instagram user Pauline Davis, Cafe L'Amore "has the best pizza crust. It is soft and chewy and has the perfect ratio of sweetness/saltiness." She added: "The toppings are great too. They have a pie with zucchini and fig and prosciutto and goat cheese. Just look at their reviews on Google. Everyone agrees." 455 Ramapo Valley Road, Oakland; 201-337-5558, cafelamore.com.

Columbia Inn, Montville. One commentator noted that Barstool Sports, a digital media company headquartered in New York City that produces content on sports and pop culture, "gave Columbia Inn 8.7." Then questioned our state of mind for not including it: "What are you high?" (Answer: We're professionals. Our recreational activities take place after work, not during!). 29 Main Road, Montville; 973-263-1300, thecolumbiainn.com.

The New Park Tavern, East Rutherford and Jersey City. "I don't understand how The New Park Tavern was forgotten," said Danille J. Bespalko.

Bako's Pizza, Boonton. "The best hole-in-the-wall spot in Boonton," said Selin Kandemir, noting that Bako's "is run by a father and his sons, who grew up in town. The pizza is delicious, especially the Turkish pizza. Have never tried anything like it!" 205 Washington St., Boonton; 973-588-5555; bakospizzamenu.com.

Vinni's Pizzarama, Wayne. Informal spot turning out classic pizzas and Sicilian pies, including stuffed pizza plus grandma Sicilian. 1025 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne; 973-628-1510, vinnispizzarama.com.

Carmine & Ray's, Closter. Pies and slices available at this casual spot on Closter's main street. 284 Closter Dock Road, Closter; 201-768-5390. carminerayspizza.com/

Calabria's Pizza, Oradell. How is @calabriarestaurant not on here but Blaze Pizza is?!?" asked Breana Rosado (@breana_dawn). "That’s the Applebee's of pizza." (Answer: our readers recommended Blaze.)  239 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell; 201-523-9228, calabriapizzaoradell.com.

Grant Street Cafe, Dumont. This beloved neighborhood spot has been serving thin-crust pizza for more than three-quarters of a century. Among its most popular: the Drunken Chicken Parm; Grease Truck; and Sriracha, Chicken, Bacon" Said one commentator: "A franchise like Blaze Pizza makes this bracket but not @grantstreetcafe⁉️ Talk about not supporting local business. 👎" 25 Grant Ave., Dumont; 201-385-1705, thegrantstreetcafe.com.

Arturo's, Maplewood. This cozy pizzeria offers artisanal pies using garden-fresh ingredients. We're fans. What we said about it in our review: "Its beautifully blistered pizza is darn good, especially the charred crust that carries a hint of lovely sour flavor, has a great chew and is terrifically doughy at the edge." We loved the appetizers at this humble spot too, especially the creamy ricotta and the fire-roasted meatballs. 180 Maplewood Ave, Maplewood; 973-378-5800, arturosnj.com.

Pizza Knight, Hackensack. 826 Main St., Hackensack; 201-347-9208, pizzaknightnj.com/

Amici's Restaurant, Maywood.  28 W. Pleasant Ave., Maywood; 201-881-0608, amicisdining.com/

Emilio’s Wood Fire Pizza, Nutley. 170 Chestnut St.; 973-320-2339 emilioswfp.com/

Santoni's Pizzeria and Restaurant, Ridgewood. 88 Godwin Ave.; 201-389-6810, santonispizza.com/

Baggio's, Fort Lee.  212 Main St.; 201-585-7979. baggiospizzarestaurant.com

Tenth Street Pasta & Pizza, Hoboken. 1000 Willow Ave.; 201-683-8134; tenthstreetpizza.com/

Joe's Rotisseria, Roselle Park. 547 Westifield Ave.; 908-245-9003, joes-rotisseria.com/rosellepark

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: North Jersey pizza: Readers lament these pies were not included