Look, I’m a Jersey Shore pizza fanatic, and when Dave Portnoy rolls into town for one of his iconic One Bite reviews, I pay attention.
The man’s got a knack for slicing through the noise and getting to the heart of a pizza’s soul. But when he hit up Romeo’s Pizzeria in Freehold and slapped a 7.4 on it, I had to raise an eyebrow. Don’t get me wrong—7.4 is a solid score in the Portnoy pizza universe. It’s a stamp of approval, a “this is good pizza” rating. But Dave, my guy, you missed the real star of the show at Romeo’s, and I’m here to set the record straight.
Romeo’s isn’t your average pizzeria.
They’ve got two distinct styles: the classic cheese pizza, which is what Dave reviewed, and their thin-crust “RIA” lineup, which includes the Pizza-RIA and the game-changing Tomato-RIA. I made the pilgrimage to Freehold to see what the fuss was about, and let me tell you, this place is serving up some serious pies that deserve more than a passing glance.
Let’s start with the classic cheese pizza—the one Dave sunk his teeth into.
It’s a quintessential Jersey pie: solid crust, good sauce-to-cheese ratio, and that greasy-but-not-too-greasy vibe that screams “I’m from the Shore.” I’d agree with Dave’s 7.4, maybe even nudge it to a 7.5 on a good day. It’s reliable, it’s tasty, and it’s the kind of pizza you’d happily devour after a day at the beach.
But here’s where Dave fumbled the ball: he didn’t try the RIA pies, and that’s where Romeo’s flexes its true muscle.
We asked the waitress why they gave him the wrong pizza, she admitted, the thin crust is a new menu item that didn’t exist when Portnoy showed up.
The Pizza-RIA, a thin-crust offering, is a step up in finesse. It’s crispy, light, and packs a flavor punch that keeps you coming back for another slice. I’d put it in the mid-7s, no question—a notch above the classic cheese but still in that “really good” territory. It’s the kind of pie you’d bring to impress your foodie friends without breaking the bank.
Now, let’s talk about the real MVP: the Tomato-RIA. This is Romeo’s take on a classic New Jersey thin-crust tomato pie, and holy cannoli, it’s a revelation. The crust is impossibly thin and crisp, like a savory cracker that shatters with every bite. The tomato sauce is bright, tangy, and just sweet enough to balance the acidity, with a sprinkle of cheese that plays a supporting role rather than stealing the show. This isn’t just good pizza—it’s elite. I’m talking low to mid-8s, with the potential to flirt with a 9 on a perfect day. It’s the kind of pie that puts Romeo’s in the same conversation as Jersey tomato pie legends like Papa’s Tomato Pies and De Lorenzo’s in the Hamilton/Robbinsville area. That’s right, I said it—this is heavyweight territory.
So, Dave, I gotta call you out: you did Romeo’s dirty. A 7.4 for the classic cheese is fair, but by not diving into the Tomato-RIA, you missed the soul of this place. This isn’t just another pizzeria churning out decent slices; it’s a spot that’s quietly crafting some of the best tomato pies in Jersey. Next time you’re cruising down Route 9, swing by Romeo’s again, grab a Tomato-RIA, and take that One Bite with your eyes wide open. I guarantee you’ll be bumping that score up.
For my fellow pizza pilgrims, Romeo’s is a must-visit. Get the classic cheese to warm up, try the Pizza-RIA for a crispy twist, but do not—I repeat, do NOT—leave without a Tomato-RIA.
It’s the kind of pie that’ll have you dreaming about your next visit before you’ve even finished the last slice. And no. We don’t work there, own it, we have no relationship with them and no, they’re not clients or advertisers.
Just a good samaritan calling out an injustice.Samaritan
