Tomato Pie, NO FUSS (Papa's Tomato Pies)
Papa’s Tomato Pies 804 Chambers St., Trenton (609) 392-0359
(Directions)
Editor’s Pick for Best Tomato Pie
According to Ed Levine, author of Pizza, a Slice of Heaven, two of the first three pizza parlors founded in the entire U.S. of A. were located in Trenton. Of these two Trenton establishments, one is still around: Papa’s, founded in 1914 by the father-in-law, grandfather, and great-grandfather of the current operators (Abie, Donnie, and Nick, respectively) making it the second oldest pizza joint in the country.
Papa’s, like it’s better-known brother DeLorenzo’s, makes a proper Trenton tomato pie (it should, it virtually invented it. Er, well, it actually copied it from Joe’s, which started in 1910, when Papa left that establishment to go into business for himself). But Joe’s is no longer with us. DeLorenzo’s is a relative Johnny-come-lately, founded in 1936.
A proper Trenton tomato pie has olive oil drizzled over a thin crust, then a layer of crushed tomatoes (no sauce), then a layer of cheese, and then a last drizzle of olive oil. Only fresh ingredients are allowed. (If you’re a garlic lover, be sure to order your pie with “fresh garlic”. It counts as an extra topping, but it’s oh so worth it!).
There are a bunch of wonderful things about Papa’s:
First, the pies are tremendous. You can argue whether they’re better or worse than the competition on Hudson Street, but it comes down to personal preference. By any standard, Papa’s pies are fabulous, among the best anywhere. (Papa’s crust is more conventional than DeLorenzo’s).
Second, if you’ve ever tried to GET INTO De Lorenzo’s, you’ve either got to go really early or really late, or be prepared to wait for hours (particularly on the weekend), fighting hordes of folks from Princeton, Ewing, and Hamilton nostalgic for the Trenton of their roots. On the other hand, generally, you can show up and be seated immediately at Papa’s. It’s as if the collective unconscious of the Trenton diaspora somehow forgot about this wonderful institution. Now, it is true that De Lorenzo’s is a little cuter…Papa’s current location (they moved there in 1946 from Butler Street) doesn’t have the “quaint” factor of that little house on Hudson Street…but I hate waiting on line. And, Papa’s actually has rest rooms you can use.
Third, Papa’s is open every day.
Finally, at Papa’s the service is friendly (a distinct differentiator vs. the competition), the antipasto salad is huge, prices are reasonable, and you can bring your own bottle. In addition to the fantastic salad, there’s also a full menu of simple, red-sauce Italian food. Even Atkins dieters can eat here… my wife often orders a sausage platter: just sausage, onions, and peppers. What’s not to love?
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If you’ve never tried a mustard pie, this is the place to do it. Another Trenton tradition carried over from Joe’s, they’re delicious!
Papa’s does pretty darn good Italian specials every night. The eggplant parm is really good! I forget which night they serve it, but worth ordering.
Just tried this for the first time. Excellent! Eager to go back again.
Hmm…perhaps I hit it on an off night (Saturday?!) but this place was very dissappointing. Having been a convert to the Delorenzo’s tomato pie this place just doesn’t compare. Our pizza was too cheesy, greasy, not enough fresh tomato sauce…ok pizza but nothing special.
My family has been going to this shop for over 50 years im the third generation to eat there. I live over an hour away and still go to Trenton just for the pizza at papas. Id say go and try it yourself because its worth it
Abie is my Uncle and possibly the oldest working pieman in the U.S. He is 85 and still works on Sunday. I am there making pies on Sunday to give him a break. Come in on Sunday and tell the waitres you read about it here. Papa’s is still the best in Trenton not because it is family….It just is! With all due repest to the competition
Ate here recently. First time since I was a student @ THS. In 40+ years –the pie is still great.
Try to return twuce a year from Vermont to get the tomato pie.
It is great and returns me to my high school days !!
Bill Mc
I once ate there while visiting from Mississippi.. amazing pizza
Loooove their pizza! Go here at least once a week, and tonight I’ll be celebrating my 19th birthday there!
Papa’s is a Trenton treasure! Great food, great staff, great atmosphere! They have bathrooms, grated cheese, salads, vintage Italian music playing, they don’t rush you out, no waiting for a table, friendly and helpful waitresses. Do yourself a favor and give it a try!
Far better product than Delorenzo’s generally lackluster pies. Thankfully, the place has retained it’s secrets for crafting the essential Trenton tomato pie and of course, a quaint location that in turn hasn’t changed much either. Skip the wait and the overhyped nonsense of Delorenzo’s and visit Papa’s.
I used to work at Papa’s many years ago, my uncle used to work for Abie, he started when he was 18 yrs old and he pretty much worked for him his whole life. Papa’s was my home away from home, I felt like I was part of there family. Whenever I go back to Trenton to visit I make sure Papa’s is on my list of places to eat. I am addicted to there Ghnocci’s with meatballs. I have been all over and I have not been able to find any comparison to it. The mixture with the homemade meatballs and sauce. The pies are unforgettable also. No other pizza restaurants can compare to a Papa’s Tomatoe Pie.
I have never called a pie fromm PAPA’s,De Lorenzo’s,Or Maruca’s Pizza . It Is TOMATOE PIE Thank you