DeLucia's Brick Oven Pizza — Restaurant in Raritan

Drove an hour for this place. Have to say, it didn't live up to the hype. The only way to get a pizza here is to call non-stop when they open and order for a later time in the day. This actually made me even more excited to try this place as I have been trying to coordinate my schedule for months until I finally got to try it.

Pizza ingredients were fresh, so I appreciate that. Pizza was cooked well, and I appreciate that. Flavor kind of bland, nothing special to be honest. Sauce felt like it was too oily and just didn't have enough cheese on the pizza. Crust was nicely made, and the oven was amazing to see. To me, this pizza is not something I would drive back to get or even bother recommending to my friends. I am always trying new pizza, and everyone asks me all the time for pizza places. I really thought this was going to be the new place for me to recommend in North Jersey, and it fell short. Again, it is just a very underwhelming pizza with good ingredients, but flavors that do not pop or create any excitement for your taste buds. Quality ingredients are always appreciated, but this place just feels like it's missing something. I asked the girls in the front to see if the consistency is the same, and they did confirm that it is. She did say that the pizza is more cooked towards the end of the day as the oven just gets hotter. I did go at the end of the day but I do like my pizza a little more cooked and crispy, so that wasn't my issue. I'm also really into thin pizza as well, so im not complaining about that. We ordered the regular and the white, both missed in their own ways. The white had way too much oil, and that drowned out all the other flavor. The regular, which is what I usually go for, was as plain of a slice as I've had with bland flavor. The crust was good, very good.

Service at this place was underwhelming, to say the least. Got a table outside, and the waitress came by to take the order after some time. She didn't really have an idea of what their menu had or didn't have...and it was a very small menu. She was not trying to be friendly and didn't care one bit about our dining experience. She was just there to walk pizza back and forth and couldn't care less about anything else. The girl at the register was friendly and answered questions about the place and the pizza. You have to expect lots of questions about the place due to the hype and also the ordering process. The waitress wouldn't have any of it.

Inside the restaurant is very dated. They can certainly work on creating a more enjoyable dining experience. Very old and basic looking with old decor.

I am happy I tried. Don't think I will be coming back, though. There are so many excellent pizza places to try. Happy I went here, but this is not a place I will be recommending others to go,...

To keep it simple, this place absolutely lives up to its reputation. But now for a more broader review.

This is my second time trying one of New Jersey’s 10 oldest pizzarias (the other time being Bevacqua’s Reservoir Tavern in Boonton). Founded in 1917, originally as a bakery until they began to make pizza in the 30s, DeLucia's is one of the 10 oldest pizzerias in the entire U.S. and is the 2nd oldest in NJ, behind only Papa’s in Robbinsville, and when you’ve been around for over 100 years as a business, you’re really doing something the right way, and boy do they. Equipped with their century old original coal and now oil flamed brick chamber oven (1 of only 2 pizzerias in New Jersey that has a vintage original coal oven like this along with Santillo’s in Elizabeth), they produce an incredible pie that’s so good, it’s received the highest score ever by Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy’s one bite reviews.

As far as how my experience went, I came in about 10 minutes after they open up shop and was able to get my pies ready for me in about an hour (which considering the amount of demand this place has since Dave’s review is actually pretty good). As far as what I thought of the pizza, well, let’s just say just like Dave said for himself, it’s definitely in the conversation for the best of the best that I’ve had. Everything I could want in a great pizza, this thing delivered. It features a fantastic brick oven bake with a perfect char on the undercarriage and crust. The pie was light, crispy, and more airy than I expected, really a perfect example of what the base of a NY/NJ style pie is supposed to be. The sauce was excellent, rich and juicy, and the grated mozzarella they use is probably the best I’ve ever experienced on a pizza. I got a half plain with basil, half the works with sausage, pepperoni, onions, mushrooms, and green peppers with said toppings all being fresh and delicious. I’d give their pie an outstanding 9 1/2 out of 10(if I got a full size pie instead of a small it would probably be a 10). I also got a clams casino pie, which was absolutely off the charts (10++++ of 10 type stuff) and was just flat out one of the best things I’ve ever eaten, pizza or other wise.

The service I received was overall pretty good and they even let me take a picture of the oven. The atmosphere is typical of your NJ/NYC metro area neighborhood pizzerias. I can imagine before Dave blew this place up and brought in the massive crowds, it was a great place for local families to gather and enjoy pleasantries.

So to anybody in or near New Jersey, New York City, or Philadelphia, and you’re looking for a historic and world class pizza experience, absolutely come here but do your due diligence when scheduling your order because of the incredible demand...

If there's one place in New Jersey where pizza transcends from mere food to an experience, it's got to be DeLucia's Brick Oven Pizza. Nestled in the quaint town of Raritan, this pizzeria isn't just a business; it's a legacy that dates back to 1917, and every bite you take here feels like a homage to that rich history.

Walking into DeLucia's, you're immediately struck by the warmth of the place. The 100-year-old brick oven, which has been the heart of this establishment for generations, greets you with its inviting glow and the tantalizing aroma of baking pizza. This isn't just any oven; it's a piece of pizza heritage, crafted with the same meticulous care as the pies it cooks.

The pizza here is nothing short of spectacular. The crust is the star - perfectly crispy on the outside yet with a delightful chewiness inside. It's cooked in that venerable oven, which imparts a unique char and flavor you can't replicate elsewhere. The sauce, a family recipe no doubt, is tangy yet balanced, complementing the high-quality mozzarella that melts just right, offering a stretch with every bite but never overwhelming the taste.

DeLucia's offers a variety of pies, but their plain cheese pizza is where the magic truly happens. It's simple, yet each ingredient sings in harmony. Even their specialty pizzas, like the Clams Casino or BBQ Chicken, maintain that high standard while adding inventive twists that still respect the foundation laid by Constantino DeLucia over a century ago.

The atmosphere at DeLucia's is as authentic as its pizza. It's a family-run joint with a community feel, where regulars and newcomers alike are welcomed with the same warmth. Despite the fame brought by Dave Portnoy's near-perfect review, the shop retains its humble, no-frills charm, focusing purely on the art of pizza-making.

Service here is personal. You're not just another customer; you're part of the DeLucia's story for that moment. Even with the surge in popularity, they manage orders with grace, ensuring everyone gets a taste of their craft, though patience is key as they often sell out due to high demand.

In a world where pizza chains dominate, DeLucia's stands as a beacon of what pizza can be when it's made with passion, tradition, and an unyielding commitment to quality. If you're anywhere near Raritan or willing to make the journey, this is not just pizza; it's a culinary pilgrimage well worth the visit.

In summary, DeLucia's isn't just serving pizza; they're serving slices of history, tradition, and unparalleled taste. Five stars isn't enough - they deserve a stratospheric rating for keeping the art of true brick oven pizza alive and well...