'Pizza Bowl IV' Returns This Weekend, Featuring A Morristown Eatery

MORRISTOWN, NJ — This weekend, one Morristown pizza shop will be battling for the title of the best pizza in New Jersey at the fourth annual Pizza Bowl competition.

Coniglios's Old Fashioned, located at 11 South Street in Morristown, has been selected as one of the four North Jersey restaurants that will compete in Pizza Bowl IV.

The Morristown pizzeria won the official title of "Best Pizza" during last year's Pizza Bowl.

Pizza Bowl IV, a statewide competition for pizza and meatballs, will take place on Feb. 3 at Redd's Bar & Restaurant, 317 Washington Avenue, Carlstadt.

The Pizza Bowl represents a statewide competition for pizza and meatballs. The Facebook group Jersey Pizza Joints runs the competition, which begins with statewide polling and culminates in a final bake-off.

Jersey Pizza Joints was the brainchild of Guy Madsen, who started the Facebook group in the early days of the pandemic in March 2020.

The inaugural Pizza Bowl competition arose from endless debates in the Facebook group over who served the best pizza.

The first Pizza Bowl took place at Redd's Biergarten in New Brunswick. Following its success, Pizza Bowl 2 was hosted at Redd's Biergarten at the Meadowlands, and Pizza Bowl 3 occurred last year at Redd's in Carlstadt.

Jersey Pizza Joints members nominated pizzerias from around the state and voting took place online, narrowing the field to four in each region — North Jersey, Central Jersey and South Jersey.

Here are the four top vote-getters for each of the three regions:

North Jersey

• Grumpys - Saddlebrook
• Nellies - Waldwick
• Coniglio's - Morristown
• Vinnies Mootz - Lyndhurst

Central Jersey

• Capricci Pizzeria & Rest – Howell
• Squan Tavern - Manasquan
• Maruca’s – Seaside Heights
• Mancini Pizza - East Brunswick

South Jersey

• 1. Nonna’s Pizza – Deptford
• 2. Polizzi Brick Oven – Sewell
• 3. Lillo’s – Hainesport
• 4. Riccardo’s – Browns mills

This year, Jersey Pizza Joints has also recruited celebrity judges: Lexy and Tommy DeVito, parents of the Giants rookie quarterback, members of the Smithereens and various actors from the HBO show "The Sopranos."

Tickets for the event this year are $50, plus handling charges.

During Pizza Bowl IV, guests will be able to sample slices from several pizzerias and vote for their favorites.

Jersey Pizza Joints has also done more than just provide a fun outlet and exposure for small businesses; the group has continually raised money for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which assists families of first responders and the military.

It was created in memory of Stephen Siller, a firefighter who ran from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, to try to help with rescue efforts. Siller was among the 343 firefighters who died that day.

"Get ready to indulge in an array of delectable pizzas from various local pizzerias, each vying for the coveted title of Pizza Champion. From classic Margherita to innovative toppings, there will be a pizza for every palate," Madsen said. "Whether you're a pizza aficionado or just someone who loves a good slice, PizzaBowl4 is the place to be. Don't miss out on this epic pizza extravaganza."