Bread And Salt

Tucked away in Jersey City’s Heights neighborhood, Bread And Salt has quietly become one of the most compelling pizza destinations in the entire New York metro area. This unassuming 25-seat counter-service spot serves Roman-style pizza that’s so good, the line out the door during its Friday through Sunday hours is simply part of the experience. It’s BYOB, so grab a couple bottles of Italian wine before you arrive.

The star of the show is undoubtedly the crust—a revelation of Roman-style technique. Light and airy like the inside of a croissant, with a slightly charred, crunchy base, each square slice practically floats in your hand. The toppings rotate constantly based on what’s coming out of the oven, from the simple perfection of the rossa (just crust and tomato sauce) to more elaborate creations featuring house-pulled mozzarella, hand-made pesto, or meatballs with oily peppers. The $2 rossa might be the best pizza bargain you’ll ever find.

Beyond the pizza, don’t sleep on the other offerings. The meatballs, when available (and they sell out fast), are impossibly tender, practically dissolving on your tongue and swimming in a sweet-acidic tomato sauce. The bread with butter and bottarga will forever change how you think about bread service. The sandwiches, made with pizza dough as bread and stacked high with mortadella, are essential ordering even when you think you can’t possibly eat another bite.

Whether you’re a serious pizza obsessive or just someone who appreciates great food at incredibly fair prices, Bread And Salt delivers an experience that transcends its humble slice shop format. Grab a spot near the garage-style door that opens in nice weather, order whatever slices are coming out of the oven, and settle in. Jersey City now rivals anywhere in New York for pizza supremacy, and this little Heights gem is a major reason why.