Phil murphy enters tri-state pizza battle, dissing connecticut's apizza hard

The pizza wars are heating up! New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont are sparring on Twitter about which state has the superior slice, but let’s be real—can either truly compete with New York City’s legendary pizza?

Spoiler alert: Probably not, but it’s fun to watch them try.

First, let’s give some respect where it’s due. New Jersey’s pizza game isn’t exactly weak. Jersey pizza has its own scrappy charm. There’s something about grabbing a slice after a football game, slightly greasy but so satisfying.

Spots like Vic’s in Bradley Beach and Papa’s Tomato Pies (shoutout for being one of the oldest in the U.S.) are no joke. The thin crust, cheese-to-sauce ratio, and even the loyalty of Jersey pizza fans make it a solid contender. But while you can get some good pies here and there, we all know that Jersey’s greatest talent is producing people who end up eating pizza elsewhere (sorry, not sorry).

Then, we have Connecticut and its sacred “apizza” from New Haven. If you know, you know. Apizza isn’t just pizza with a fancy name; it’s a whole experience. That thin, crispy, slightly charred crust—legendary.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana and Sally’s Apizza have been dishing out slices that make even the most hardcore pizza critics stop in their tracks. It’s like eating a slice of heaven with that satisfying crunch and flavor explosion. And don’t even get me started on the clam pizza. It’s one of those rare things that makes you say, “Okay, Connecticut, you win this round.”

“You’re not even the pizza capital of the tri-state area,” Murphy responded.

But, dear Governors, as much as you want to claim pizza supremacy, you’re both playing in the shadow of the true pizza capital: New York City. Specifically, Brooklyn, where pizza is practically a religion.

From the classic Di Fara Pizza to the iconic Lucali, NYC pizza doesn’t just hit different—it redefines what pizza can be. The dough is that perfect balance of chewy and crisp, the sauce is tangy, and the mozzarella? It’s fresh and melts in just the right way.

No one can compete with the slice culture in NYC. You can walk two blocks, grab a slice for a few bucks, and it’ll be life-changing.

Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens—it doesn’t matter. You’re in the pizza holy land. Even Chicago deep dish lovers have to bow down to the crispy, foldable slices of New York.

So, Governor Murphy and Governor Lamont, we appreciate your passion for pizza. But no need to fight—it’s obvious NYC reigns supreme. Enjoy your regional specialties, though, because even if you don’t have the crown, at least you’ve got some pretty good pies.

For everyone else, maybe it’s time for a tri-state pizza tour? It’s only right to settle this debate with a slice from each!

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.