Warning: Growing up in and around Chambersburg in Trenton, NJ will cause you to be spoiled on pizza (and Italian food...although, mostly from my Grandmom!) for the rest of your life. When you grow up around the corner from one of the best tomato pies on the planet, mostly everything else just pales in comparison. (Wondering how visiting Naples next month will shake up this list, though!) When I was a kid, we had incredible pizzerias & Italian restaurants on nearly EVERY corner of our neighborhood. It was absolute bliss. Unfortunately, the passing of time has seen many a restaurant closing their doors over the years, but a few glimmering gems still shine through. And it is with great regret that I have failed to recognize one of it's still shining gems on this blog sooner!
Papa's Tomato Pies still stands on the corner of Chambers Street & Roebling Ave. and lays claims to bragging rights of being the OLDEST (continually run) pizzeria in America! The fabulous Lombardi's in NYC lays claim to being the FIRST, but since they closed their restaurant for a decade in the mid-80's...Papa's swooped in and grabbed the title. Interesting!
I'm sure I will be doing a blog from inside this place soon, because it is still so old school & classic that it must be show to the world (Plus: Crab & Macaroni Fridays?? Yes, please!). HOWEVER, the theme of last night was good 'take out' pie from the 'burg (which, unfortunately, I believe Delorenzo's is not. You MUST 'eat in'...just do it and don't ask questions) and I walked out of there with three PIPING hot pies in hand...
And I must humbly admit that I haven't had Papa's in YEARS and forgot how absolutely AMAZING this pie is and I'm ashamed I have written about it's fabulousness even sooner. (see?? spoiled!) Trenton can still (and hopefully FOREVER) be claimed as having the best TOMATO PIE on the planet. You just can't find it better anywhere. The faint hint of cheese, the charred & chewy crust and the fantastic pockets of crushed, sweet tomato = OUTSTANDING. There is no other word for it.
And the crowing gems of the pizza trio last night was what (I BELIEVE) is a Trenton original: the MUSTARD pie. Yes, THAT mustard...
I know, I know...but skeptics, be damned! You can not BELIEVE how good this is! Somehow the tomato just blends with the mustard and creates magic. We officially converted Scott last night into a believer. It was a big momentJ If you're ever in the area, just trust me and try it! It is certainly one you will remember.
And speaking of Scott, he got to burn off some of that mustard pie (and got in some 'practice'J) when our friend's two munchkins used him as a trampoline after dinner... J
I couldn't stop laughing....
...or get ONE non-blurry pictureJ It was a hurricane of limbsJ
Alright, well after my ode to Chamberburg & cute kids, I'll skidaddle for the day! Hope you guys had a great week. We have ZERO plans this evening and I can. not. wait to curl up on the couch and pass out watch some Ghost Adventures with my love. Have a great day, everyone!J
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