More than 800 readers of The Daily Targum Web site have participated in a survey throughout the past few weeks that asks where the best off-campus pizza can be found.
Skinny Vinnie’s, located at 60 Sicard St. took the lead with 105 votes, while La Familia, at 160 Easton Ave. took second with 86 votes. Located at 94 Church St., Panico’s Pizza followed closely with 83 votes.
With so many kinds of pizza to choose from in the city, it may be hard to decide where to go. For the business owners themselves, they view the competition differently.
“There is so much competition in New Brunswick and everybody’s taking a piece of the big pie and trust me, some people have been here a long time,” said RU Grill and Pizza owner Abdallah Eid. “They’re doing much better than the other new owners in New Brunswick.”
Eid said his business has been at its location at 142 Easton Ave. since 1998.
Twelve years ago, there were not so many pizzerias and more and more, others started copying one another, he said.
But some of the newer owners in the city operate their businesses as an investment and are not succeeding, Eid said.
“They’re paying more rent, they’re paying more employees. Some of the pizzeria owners, they don’t work themselves, they just [work as] the manager and that wouldn’t succeed very well, I think,” he said.
Eid said although more businesses started popping up on the same block about two or three years ago, his business is doing well and could be worse.
“You come here on the weekend … they’re competing with us … on the weekend we’re packed,” he said.
Owner of West End Brick Oven Pizza George El-Ghossain said competition in the city actually motivated him to open his business.
“Because there are so many places, it’s a good indication that business is good, there’s demand and competition is healthy in this business,” he said.
Kamil Saber, owner of P.J.’s Grill and Pizza at 166 Easton Ave., said his pizzeria has been there for 20 years.
One of the most important factors in running his business is an organized system in place where workers are all responsible for their own part.
“Everyone has something to do with the quality of food that we offer to the customer,” he said.
Students said they consider factors such as location, sanitation and price as some important values.
School of Arts and Sciences junior Kara Haggerty said she likes to go to Panico’s because of their selection.
“I just like all the different kinds that they have, and I like their chicken parm pizza a lot. They have a lot of variety and have a really nice environment if you go there to eat,” Haggerty said.
But School of Arts and Sciences senior Andy Stubbs said he became addicted to Ta Ta’s Pizza at 208 Hamilton St. when his roommate introduced him to it.
“He just ordered it once, and I haven’t stopped ordering it since. It’s just really good. The tomato sauce has a lot of garlic in it — I like that,” he said.
Stubbs said Ta Ta’s fast delivery sets it apart from the competition.
“I ordered it two nights ago and they were here in 20 minutes. So, it’s really nice to be able to get your food quickly,” Stubbs said.
For other students, location and convenience are key.
“I go to PJ’s on Easton Ave. I like PJ’s because it’s convenient and right next to my house,” said Rutgers College senior Eitan Levine. “It’s cheap, it’s good, you know, it’s pizza.”
Douglass College senior Michele Mancuso said at the end of a night out, the closest pizza is the best pizza.
“I go to La Familia, which is right next to Knight Club. I go to Knight Club a lot and that’s why I go there,” Mancuso said.
But Livingston College senior Roman Khan said cleanliness is most important to him when he’s deciding where to eat.
“I like West End because it’s new and clean in there. They [have] benches to sit on inside, and they play music, so it’s kind of like they continue the party,” he said. “Also, their bathroom is still clean.”
School of Arts and Sciences senior Bill Vanemburgh said he considers how each pizza business treats its customers, noting that he especially likes Jimmy’s, located at 104 Easton Ave.
“It tastes really good and the guy that works there is awesome. He’s the nicest guy in the entire world,” he said. “The people in La Familia — they’re really not that nice to you. They make you feel like they don’t want you there.”
Saber noted the importance of customer service and said he likes to ensure his business is not transaction-based, but that they form a long-term relationship with their customers to build loyalty.
“Even when school is not here, this base carries us throughout the slow summer,” he said.
For some students, low prices are what keeps them coming back.
“I go to Paulie’s because it’s $1 after 10, which works for me,” said Amanda Rodriguez, a School of Environmental and Biological Sciences sophomore.
For Ashley Marcano, a School of Arts and Sciences junior, it was simply fate that brought her and her favorite pizza place together.
“I like RU Grill because of no real reason — that’s just who I’ve always ordered from,” Marcano said.
Pizza places offer variety of choices
Published: Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Updated: Wednesday, November 4, 2009
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