I love pizza. I’ve had pizza all over and no one does it quite like New Jersey. I’ve been on a delicious quest to find the best pizza in the Garden State, and while pizza is very personal (everyone has a favorite), I’ve found one place that really stands out. Friend after friend kept raving about Star Tavern, so I had to check it out for myself. I headed to the Parkway and made my trek to Orange (400 High Street) to see what all the hype was about.
View from the parking lot.
Photo: Author’s Own I arrived just past noon and every space was filled (above photo taken after dining), though there was sufficient street parking. I got a spot just across the street, snapped a photo and stepped in. I was seated promptly and my server was friendly. I ordered a black cherry soda and it may have been the best thing I ever tasted.
Menus
Photo: Author’s Own I asked for a recommendation and the server said I couldn’t go wrong with anything on the menu; pasta dishes were plentiful with portions fit for two, sandwiches were sublime, but the thin crust pizza was the star of the show. I knew I was going to get a pie, but I wanted some insight into what else the restaurant had to offer. It turns out, a lot - from a mandarin orange & almond salad to homemade lasagna and shrimp parmigiana, there’s something for everyone.
Awards
Photo: Author’s Own As I waited for my food, I noticed numerous awards along the back wall. Years of accolades all lined up, proof that this spot is truly the best. Though there are endless local honors, this tavern has garnered national acclaim - popular food website, “The Daily Meal” ranked the pizza here #2 in the United States. Another popular national website (Thrillist) had this to say about Star Tavern: “New York has nothing on the thin-crust pizzas served at this classic Jersey 70’s bar and pizzeria.”
Pizza
Photo: Author’s Own After a short wait, my half cheese, half sausage pizza arrived. I could barely wait to take a bite of the gooey, greasy bar-style pie. When I did, I was not disappointed. The pizza had a perfect sauce to cheese ratio and the crust offered just the right amount of crisp. Though I’m not the biggest thin crust fan, I was instantly enamored. My father, an unofficial thin crust connoisseur, gave the pie top marks - 98.5 out of 100. When we left, he was already talking about coming back.
Booth
Photo: Author’s Own In addition to delicious pizza (also available for takeout), Star Tavern has a wonderful wine and beer selection, several flat screen TVs and a welcoming atmosphere that makes diners feel at home. A neighborhood favorite, dine here yourself on Monday from 11am - 10pm, Tuesday - Saturday from 11am - 11pm or on Sunday from noon - 10pm .
Have you ever been to Star Tavern? What’s your favorite pizza spot in New Jersey? Check out more amazing pizza places in the Garden State: These 12 Pizza Places In New Jersey Are So Good That Your Mouth May Explode.
Photo: Author’s Own
I arrived just past noon and every space was filled (above photo taken after dining), though there was sufficient street parking. I got a spot just across the street, snapped a photo and stepped in. I was seated promptly and my server was friendly. I ordered a black cherry soda and it may have been the best thing I ever tasted.
I asked for a recommendation and the server said I couldn’t go wrong with anything on the menu; pasta dishes were plentiful with portions fit for two, sandwiches were sublime, but the thin crust pizza was the star of the show. I knew I was going to get a pie, but I wanted some insight into what else the restaurant had to offer. It turns out, a lot - from a mandarin orange & almond salad to homemade lasagna and shrimp parmigiana, there’s something for everyone.
As I waited for my food, I noticed numerous awards along the back wall. Years of accolades all lined up, proof that this spot is truly the best. Though there are endless local honors, this tavern has garnered national acclaim - popular food website, “The Daily Meal” ranked the pizza here #2 in the United States. Another popular national website (Thrillist) had this to say about Star Tavern: “New York has nothing on the thin-crust pizzas served at this classic Jersey 70’s bar and pizzeria.”
After a short wait, my half cheese, half sausage pizza arrived. I could barely wait to take a bite of the gooey, greasy bar-style pie. When I did, I was not disappointed. The pizza had a perfect sauce to cheese ratio and the crust offered just the right amount of crisp. Though I’m not the biggest thin crust fan, I was instantly enamored. My father, an unofficial thin crust connoisseur, gave the pie top marks - 98.5 out of 100. When we left, he was already talking about coming back.
In addition to delicious pizza (also available for takeout), Star Tavern has a wonderful wine and beer selection, several flat screen TVs and a welcoming atmosphere that makes diners feel at home. A neighborhood favorite, dine here yourself on Monday from 11am - 10pm, Tuesday - Saturday from 11am - 11pm or on Sunday from noon - 10pm .
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