Santillo's Brick Oven PIZZA Review (Best in New Jersey?)

We review the legendary Santillo's 1964 Style brick oven pizza in Elizabeth, NJ. We also speak to the old school, 3rd generation Italian pizza maker Al Santillo about his passion for pizza and his unique 100 plus year old brick oven.
Here is how Al describes his oven on his website (www.santillopizza.com) "Santillo's has a low arch oven "These are considered the perfect proportions for an oven; every brick was individually cut by hand to make this arch," says Al. “This oven permits infinite possibilities in temperature and character; it continues to surprise and amaze me,” he adds.
Al can create pies according to each person's taste by adjusting baking times and placements for infinite possibilities. "I take careful measure of each customer’s desires," he says. Indeed, Al is a perfectionist when it comes to his pies. That is why he incorporated the same recipe his grandfather developed."
The Star Ledger voted Santillo's pizza as the best in New Jersey with a 9.8 out of 10. While Barstool Sports founder, Dave Portnoy gave it an 8.3. We recommend you try this pizza for yourself to see who you agree with.
Business address: 639 S Broad St, Elizabeth, NJ 07202
Be sure to let Al know that we sent you, if you visit his restaurant.
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As always, thanks for watching!
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#pizza #Brickoven #Pizzareview #Santillos #BestPizza
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[@HonJazzz]

Business address: 639 S Broad St, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Tell them we sent ya!

[@dipper5835]

I like it how the owner invites people filming to come inside lol. No matter how small or big you are, dude just invites you in

[@HonJazzz]

Exactly, he’s a class act

[@BrendonCarr]

Al Santillo understands what KZbin videos showing off his personality and his delicious pizza can do.

[@HonJazzz]

Yes, he’s a pizza celebrity

[@Noway-sg8md]

i just had my first pie from Santillos last weekend, despite only living 20 minutes away. definitely blows every other pizzeria i know of out of the water! i will make the trip up the turnpike to go back whenever i want some more pizza.

[@HonJazzz]

You’re lucky you live so close! I’m sure you’ll be back soon.

[@syedsyclone6827]

Truly mouthwatering, but a hundred years of service. Gosh dang!

[@HonJazzz]

Oh yeah it was really cool to see the 100 year old oven too.

[@len6482]

Easily one of the best looking pizza's out there. My mouth is watering watching this.

[@HonJazzz]

It was delicious, I’m glad you enjoyed watching the video. I hope one day you can try it for yourself.

[@Tunatim1]

Great review! Al is a true old school Pizza Master!

[@HonJazzz]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it

[@fscurto9313]

pizza sucks--dominos is better

[@menofvalourdrin187shai2]

I actually worked there in the mid 90s. I'm not sure if the owner is the same or his son took over but Al Santillo was hilarious. He had two drivers that were brothers that were real cool too

[@HonJazzz]

That’s a great story, thank you for sharing. I’m glad to hear that it was a fun place back then. It certainly seemed that way when we went.

[@tula1433]

Thank you for the little part at the end about jersey italian American history! We are so proud! ❤ 🇮🇹 🇺🇸

[@HonJazzz]

You’re very welcome! I’m happy to be living in New Jersey and enjoying wonderful Italian cuisine.

[@mikedtubey]

Yum!😋 sounds so good, the crunch!!!

[@HonJazzz]

Yesss delicious

[@ajalbetjr]

...I was shocked and horrified to learn that a fire severely damaged this famous pizza house the beginning of Jan of this year; apparently there's been a ton of support in helping the owner rebuild... Hoping Santillo's comes back bigger and stronger than ever!

[@HonJazzz]

I was saddened to hear the news as well. If I know anything about Al, it’s that he is very resilient and hard working. I know he’ll be back soon.

[@hardrockindaddy]

I drove by last week, there is a dumpster outside and there is a reconstruction company doing the renovations on site...hopefully in the next few months we'll hear something definitive sooner the better, I need my 1960

[@ajalbetjr]

@@hardrockindaddy Thanks for the update! I literally live the next town over and will be there to get a pizza the moment they reopen!!

[@BallJuiceOfZeus]

The cheese is aged perfectly and the 8ngredients are hand selected. It's real artisan cheese, authentic crust

[@HonJazzz]

Absolutely, you can definitely taste it

[@bobstoner415]

Cant wait to try this, I love the owner he was great in Barstools video. That is one of the best looking pizzas i have ever seen, and the best oven by far. NJ has some of the best pizza in the US i hope people dont sleep on that.

[@HonJazzz]

Yeah absolutely! Did you have a chance to try it yet?

[@fscurto9313]

don't waste your time--pizza was horrible

[@bobstoner415]

@@fscurto9313 i dont believe that

[@kobecaldwell961]

I’ve had santillos twice. Amazing NY style pie and an even better Sicilian pizza

[@HonJazzz]

Definitely delicious

[@jesusrodriguez9619]

I grew up on that pizza. Best in town hands down.

[@HonJazzz]

Delicious pizzas. It’s all about the oven and tradition.

[@johnjleone]

Thank you for doing this! An excellent video; you’re doing God’s work by giving this place and this pizza maker their due, and with such reverence and respect. I’ll be heading over to Santillo’s this week! One tiny caveat - and this is with love: The words “artisan” and “artisanal” have a hard S in the middle, the same as if you’d say “artiSt”- not with the soft “shuh” sound. I’m not saying this to troll or be a jerk - just letting you know because as your channel grows and you do more reviews, those words will probably come up again. Thanks again from a new subscriber for all you do!!

[@HonJazzz]

Thank you for the kind words! We appreciate the feedback too. We’re from Trenton so maybe it’s an accent haha. Who knows. Enjoy your pizza.

[@ChristopherKilian-fg6ds]

John J, are you a professor of english?

[@nicholassheffo5723]

Excellent! Please start doing more pizza reviews!!! :O)

[@HonJazzz]

I actually think I should. Thank you for the support.

[@nicholassheffo5723]

@@HonJazzz Absolutely.

[@dirkdiggler9482]

Hundreds of years, huh? Is Al Santillo a vampire or something? LOL. Sorry, I couldn't help it. Nice video, guys. I'd love to make it to this place some day.

[@HonJazzz]

It’s a family business that has been past down generations. The oven is over 100 years old and the recipe is even older. I get how it sounds funny though

[@dirkdiggler9482]

@@HonJazzz I knew what you meant

[@Longshore79]

Yup Al’s pizza is off the charts . Great review

[@HonJazzz]

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed.

[@adamrothgarn3236]

The crust texture is just different. There’s nothing like it. The 1964 is a great choice

[@HonJazzz]

I totally agree!

[@s.salazar6364]

Semolina and rough on the tongue by virtue of the fact

[@truthdrone7066]

When I was a teenager in the 70's I hung out right out side Santillos. I knew a Santillo (Vinny) Great middle school friend.

[@HonJazzz]

Great story, thank you for sharing it. Have you had a pizza there lately?

[@truthdrone7066]

Been in Texas since 78..My sister still goes@@HonJazzz

[@ogion539]

If you're from California like I am, this pizza really is that fuckin good. I went out there for business and decided to take a detour just to hit this place and it's fuckin delicious. It was really crispy and I loved the sauce

[@HonJazzz]

It’s actually shocking how good it is. What kind did you get?

[@ogion539]

@@HonJazzz just the standard cheese like Dave. Really good stuff

[@HonJazzz]

@@ogion539 Nice, I’ll have to give that a try. 👌🏻

[@castorkat4868]

Hands down BEST pie EVER

[@patricianocerabrandy4190]

Gift of NJ!

[@HonJazzz]

Yes!

[@richspizzaparty]

Someone should review all his pizzas and rank them.

[@HonJazzz]

That would be really cool. I think you can also order how many minutes the pizza is in the oven too. It would be cool to compare it

[@RyanCoomer]

Amazing VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@HonJazzz]

Thank you I’m glad you enjoyed. It was so nice for Al to let us check out the oven.

[@kennywise1]

Nice guy 👍

[@9SecondStreetMustang]

I like how he cleans the oven, an old pair of pants tied to a wooden broom handle that he dips in a Home Depot bucket lol.

[@HonJazzz]

Sometimes the simple way is the best way haha

[@Stizzie44]

Al really is the man it’s gonna be a sad day for me when he decides to stop making pizza.

[@HonJazzz]

Thankfully I don’t think that will happen anytime soon.

[@richbrig3]

I applaud and give you props for your efforts to try and review this pizza. However your hand gestures while you eat it, the way you take a bite is just too, too😂, as my father would say, AMEDICANN... I'm waiting for Vinnie Boombotts from the Bronx to go to Santillos and review it...with all respect to you 😂😂😂

[@HonJazzz]

Haha thanks for watching

[@frankvigilante3423]

I have tried santillo’s several times,I feel delorenzo’s from Trenton blows it away.

[@HonJazzz]

I plan to go there next

[@mafatone]

I want one.

[@HonJazzz]

It’s worth the trip

[@adamturner8732]

Al is truly a one of a kind and one off pizza artisan. His breathe of types of pizza he makes too is really second to none.

[@HonJazzz]

Couldn’t have said it better myself

[@fscurto9313]

Don't get the hype ??? what a joke------

[@brettshrekington]

This is that real fuckin Ginny shit!!

[@HonJazzz]

Absolutely 💯

[@khrissyboy69]

I love the historic marriage of old New York and Italian settlers

[@HonJazzz]

Me too, I am thankful for this everyday

[@dkrems739]

We'll have to get a bunch of pies one weekend and all get together

[@HonJazzz]

Dude I’m in! There is another famous place in Raritan New Jersey that I really want to try.

[@dkrems739]

@@HonJazzz yeah delucias. I drive by it often and always wanted to stop in

[@HonJazzz]

@@dkrems739 Same, I’ve driven past so many times. Let me know when you wanna go.

[@whitelion1111]

And De Fara's, up high on the top pizza makers

[@HonJazzz]

I'll have to check them out

[@jazzcardashcam]

Went based on this video and Portnoy's one and its a solid 3.3

[@tidepoolbay]

So CooL! WooF!!🐶🐶

[@stever1791]

Looks like a DeLucia's pie from Raritian NJ.

[@HonJazzz]

Great pizza as well. I used to go there before it got crazy busy and now I haven’t been able to get a pie since.

[@wanimoon]

How many minutes on that pie? 8?

[@HonJazzz]

I believe so. It was the standard timing that he recommended.

[@smallzabe]

best pizza on the east coast after a bite? and you're from Trenton?

[@HonJazzz]

Lol good catch. Our favorite pizza has yet to be determined. Delorezos is fantastic too.

[@fscurto9313]

pizza is not good----please go over the bridge and try real pizza

[@meowmeowmeow2362]

When he said im Freinds with him did you or camera man say Mash'Allah?! Lol

[@HonJazzz]

I like he said “watch out I locked it” referring to the door. Sounds close though

[@michael2244]

Does that one guy know about this place?

[@mattingly234ever]

he's the best

[@SK-bk3yh]

The first thing I would order is 1964

[@HonJazzz]

Great pizza

[@jesusrodriguez9619]

Try Tommys hot dogs here in Elizabeth. Best potatoes in a cup

[@HonJazzz]

I gotta try that

[@ronyeahright9536]

ok, this might be an unpopular comment, but.....$25 bucks for a plain pie in NJ is really steep. It is no doubt one of the best around, but still that rubs me the wrong way, especially in working class Elizabeth. Delucia's in Raritan is ranked higher, and their pie is $14.75. Their pie with "the works" ( 5 toppings) is still cheaper at $24.

[@HonJazzz]

I think that would be my only criticism as well.

[@williammeise8415]

my old stomping ground !! pie was alot cheaper back then ...off the hook Sicilian.

[@HonJazzz]

How much was it back in the day?

[@williammeise8415]

@@HonJazzz when i was a kid in the 60's 4 bucks

[@johnsand1437]

Rookie score

[@smokey0765]

I went there once and that was enough 7.8 @ bests check out new york

[@HonJazzz]

Did you get the 64?

[@michaeldproject]

If Dave got a 64 he would have given it a higher score, guaranteed.

[@HonJazzz]

Yeah I think so

[@danlivni2097]

@@HonJazzz Delucias is the my favorite pizza in NJ

[@HonJazzz]

@@danlivni2097 I’ll have to try that one

[@ET-py9ie]

@@danlivni2097 I had that it was terrible!!! Ralphs butchers delucias!!!

[@mikedtubey]

in the f'in oven ya go head first!😂

[@HonJazzz]

Haha 😂

[@johnadamczyk6213]

Hat high expectations, tried it today, was very disappointed. It tasted like domino's

[@LuisaGuerin-xi1pr]

best live there and take out any day same zip

[@pyrettablaze885]

This is GOD TIER pizza. This is the pizza you want as your last meal. No exaggeration. If you're reading this, consider this your sign to go to experience the beauty and the bounty that is Santillo's pizza. Once you take that first bite you'll realize that heaven is a place on earth - and that place is Santillo's.

[@HonJazzz]

I agree 100 percent. What specific pizza did you get there?

[@pyrettablaze885]

@@HonJazzz @HonJazzz I'm a local so I've had the privilege of making my way through that list lol. My picks are as follows: 1. The Grandma Pie - this is my last meal pizza 1000%. Those San Marzano tomatoes are the stuff of dreams. 2. The 2020 3. 1990. Honestly even their regular pie is unreal. You can't go wrong here which is great but the Grandma is a whole other level. Go back and get it and do a part 2!

[@HonJazzz]

@@pyrettablaze885 That’s good to know. I’ve never tried those so I’ll be sure to give them a shot next time I go.

[@pyrettablaze885]

@@HonJazzz You have to come back! NJ pizza for the win always! Seeing this video made me proud no doubt. Also, if you have any recs for Trenton spots to check out drop me some! I really want to get go know all of NJ not just Northern NJ so lmk!

[@HonJazzz]

@@pyrettablaze885 I’d say my #1 recommendation for Trenton tomato pie is DeLorenzo’s in Robbinsville NJ. It’s absolutely legendary. Don’t skip the antipasto salad either. I’m actually working on an Elizabeth NJ food tour, do you have other local restaurant recommendations? Thanks!

[@frommetoyou625]

"...hundreds of years?!" LOL Jersey pizza is the best!

[@mannyrodriguez5453]

Pizza isn't done well if it' doesn't have the crunch.

[@HonJazzz]

It’s crunchy

[@KillDozer44]

this is the real GINNI shit! giveittome !!!

[@HonJazzz]

Hahahaha

[@benjybronk7718]

He seems like a stand up guy.... Great video

[@HonJazzz]

Definitely a regular guy with an exceptional talent for pizza making

[@blacksheep5853]

When you don't mind paying a little more for premium quality. Some people will moan and cry about $25. You get what you pay for. 👍

[@HonJazzz]

Exactly 👍🏻

[@reedcollins7783]

Hundreds of thousands of years. Lol

[@Gr8thxAlot]

Millions!

[@Chris-ky6jg]

Michael Cera????

[@HonJazzz]

Maybe 🤔

[@l.davesteele3227]

Boy your all on the ban wagon .after Davey.lol

[@HonJazzz]

I've been eating pizza my whole life

[@jabbasnutsack]

Don’t know what you’re filming on but you need wind protection on the microphone. Your video has bad audio.

[@HonJazzz]

I actually recently picked up a softie mic shield. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@fscurto9313]

Wouldn't go back---What a letdown

[@scarletcrusaders5108]

Agreed. Tbh tried it last week on my cheat day. Wasted a cheat day. Was mad disappointed. Maybe it’s a weird taste that some people like. But that pizza was a 3/10. Only giving it 3 because it was edible. But to each his own.

[@fscurto9313]

@@scarletcrusaders5108 yes---why do people like that crap ?

[@y2biz]

I’m sorry, but absolutely no flavor to the sauce. Was very disappointed based on reviews and baffled that people rave about it. This guy needs to cross the Goethals.

[@BRSG.]

hell yeah best pizza in the US

[@HonJazzz]

Really high quality

[@fscurto9313]

pizza is really not good------i was shocked how bad it is

[@fscurto9313]

his pizza is just plain awful --D- AT BEST

[@meowmeowmeow2362]

Fack!, that crust ! Never seen anything like it.

[@langa77777]

No chance in the 9’s

[@HonJazzz]

Try the 64, it’s incredible

[@buddhabudman1]

I’ve never seen such disturbing bites taken of a pizza.

[@fscurto9313]

Frozen supermarket pizza is better....... i give it 3 out of 10......... don't believe the hype folks

[@HonJazzz]

You must be from Chicago

[@fscurto9313]

@@HonJazzz place sucks ---what is wrong with you all

[@slickrick2]

That was the cringiest first bite in the history of pizza

[@HonJazzz]

Cheese slides happen to the best of us 😂

[@rustycaddy]

Lame video review 😅

[@user-hh2xd5or5t]

It seems like it's better those food chain pizzas

[@HonJazzz]

Wayyyy better