Bread & Salt — Restaurant in Jersey City

Truly excellent food. And it you follow the website’s tips (and perhaps mine, too), you’ll probably have a good experience. (But if you don’t follow any tips, and just show up, I can see how you can be very disappointed.)

Per the website, beginning at 10am (when the bakery opens to the public), you can skip the in-person line by ordering online.

Few general tips/observations: -If ordering online, you will only be able to order whole pizzas or whole focaccia. If ordering in-person, you can do 1/2 orders. -It doesn’t appear you can order individual slices (online or in-person) -While most of the in-person offerings were available online, I did notice there were a few pastries offered in-person that were not online (at least, when I ordered online) -I went on a relatively cold Sunday AM in late-January 2023. When I arrived around 10am (when the bakery opens), there weren’t many customers. That said, by the time my pizza was ready (at 10:50am), there was a line out the door. I assume this place is a madhouse during warmer months. -If you want additional items when you arrive to pick-up your online order, you will have to wait on the in-person line. -It's not the same kind of establishment it was in 2019 when Pete Wells wrote his two-star review in The New York Times. As of now, Bread & Salt is more of a to-go bakery with limited pizzas offerings (e.g. tomato, mozzarella), and some first-come uncovered outdoor tables. It's also only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

I ordered: -Mozzarella Pizza (Whole pie; 12 slices): Truly delicious. The crust was crunchy, sauce was sweet, and the cheese was amazing. Important note: this pizza is not "New York-style" pizza. It's closer to Roman. So ignore any negative reviews bemoaning how this isn't "real New York pizza." -Salami, Gorgonzola, and White Fig Jam sandwich: I think I enjoyed this more than the pizza. It’s truly hard to beat these ingredients on a freshly-made pizza bianca. -Ricotta & Chocolate Crostata: Really enjoyed this. -Pangoccioli (Chocolate Bun): It was fine. I wouldn’t specifically get this again. -Bomboloni (Vanilla Pastry Cream): A must. So good. -Maritozzo (whipped cream filled brioche-style bun): Some of the best whipped cream I’ve had. Gluttonous!...

I've been here twice now and give it five stars because even though certain front-of-house service details can eventually get better; I don't come here for the finery and I'd have to give the mad genius putting everything together six stars; so it all works out. The menu changes every night and the pizza tastes great, of course, with very fresh and locally-sourced produce and specialty ingredients on it's namesake crust; innovative creations like roast zucchini shreds and mint with balsamic; or how about a grape slice? The 'non-pizza' menu also attracts foodies: small plates described on a chalk board all worth trying. You come to trust the chef here, and order what they have tonight and the stracciatella fresh mozzarella cheese, prepared and plated simply with cherry tomatoes and anchovies and olive oil, should not have tasted nearly as fantastic as it does. The BYOB policy and casual atmosphere may all have something to do with this. Hint: They don't explain this to you so when the restaurant first opens its doors for the evening, stay in a long line which may have formed, and walk to the cash register and state you're ordering to stay or to go, and which pizza and non-pizza items you want, and your name, and you pay, and they bring your food right out to you. Hint: Bring glasses if you don't want to drink out of plastic. Hint: You may wait in a long line a second time if you want to take your chances on dessert, such as the pear with peccorino which was gone if it was even available to begin with.... though if I didn't trust the chef I never would have ordered the freshly-made anise gelato with biscoito and oh. my....

Super high quality handmade breads, baked goods, sandwiches, pizzas and pizza-like things using artisanal ingredients... unique and different to the neighborhood. Menu is seasonal and always changing... follow them online to see what they have and when they are open. Order ahead online if you don't want to wait in line...works very well. Highly recommended neighborhood spot.

To those people who don't get it and feel the need to compare it to the numerous pizzerias and deli's around the neighborhood...many of which are top-notch and very popular and open all the regular expected hours... Bread & Salt is doing something new and different for those of us in the neighborhood who wish to have something that is not the same all the time. Those places are great and everybody has their favorites, but sometimes you desire a change and want to taste something new. Those reviewers saying they're using cheap tomatoes and whatnot just don't know what they're talking about as that's just a lie. They are very up front about what they use and they use very expensive ingredients. You simply cannot charge the same for products made from them....it's simply not fair to compare them. If you can't tell the difference or the difference just doesn't matter to you, just go someplace else and enjoy...why the bad review for a place that works hard to please it's customers and clearly has their love and support? 🤌

Long live Bread &...