HOWELL, NJ – You wouldn’t expect much from a strip mall pizzeria on Route 9 in Howell, but then you also wouldn’t expect a great coal-fire pizzeria in a strip mall on Route 9 in Howell. Seasons Coal Fired Bistro is one of those places we must have passed 1,000 times, but thought, what makes it different than any other <insert the fuel> fired pizza joint at the Jersey Shore.
First, you can dine outside at Seasons. They have a really nice outdoor setup that’s comfortable and inviting.
We went with the Margherita and the Donnie Brasco and both were fantastic. As expected the crust on both pies was an excellent blend of coal-fired and crispy. The Donnie Brasco had fresh pesto, fresh mozzarella, roasted tomato slices, garlic and olive oil.
It had a great flavor, cooked perfectly, nice and firm hold straight out, but was a little oily with the olive oil, but that didn’t matter. It was a perfect combination and a great take on the traditional white pie.
The Margherita was phenomenal. As far as Jersey Shore pizza goes, it’s up there with the best. The sauce has a great tang and zest to it if you like that. It was a traditional-looking Margherita pie with perfectly cooked crust and underbelly, nice random coal-fired black burn marks, not too much, not too little.
Looking over the menu, the old fashion, cheese underneath, sauce on top looks like a possible winner and the Brooklyn Bridge looks like the ultimate trash pizza, complete sausage, meatballs, peppers, ricotta and tomato sauce.
Want to try a great pizza in the Shore area? try Seasons Coal Fired on Route 9 in Howell.
Photos by Seasons Coal Fired.