Curioni’s Pizza Lodi, NJ, 07644

I discovered Curioni’s Pizza while searching for new spots to try. After seeing the high ratings and cross-referencing Google and Yelp, I bookmarked it as my next stop. Curioni’s is located in Lodi, NJ. I’ve actually tried another popular spot in town, Lodi Pizza Restaurant—which was quite good and I even reviewed it on Yelp—but I was ready for something new.

Curioni’s is located right across from a school with no other stores nearby. It feels like a hidden gem tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. Upon entering, I immediately noticed the old-school vibe; it feels like it’s been there forever. After chatting with the owner, I learned the building is over 100 years old! It originally served as a market before becoming a pizza shop.

There are a few stools at the counter if you want to eat in, and the drink fridge is stocked with a great variety of soft drinks. I originally wanted to try both a plain and a Sicilian slice, but they were out of the Sicilian, so I stuck with the plain. It came out piping hot and was a definitely a solid slice.

The best part? The price. It was only $1.50 or $2—you simply cannot find a price like that for a slice anywhere else in NJ. A can of Canada Dry was only $0.75! I was shocked by how affordable everything was. While I ate, the friendly owner shared some history about himself and the shop. He even mentioned he keeps goats in the back, which was a fun surprise I never would have guessed!

I had read that the heroes are excellent, so I ordered a half Chicken Parmesan hero for only $6. I was blown away by the size, especially since everything is made to order. I even took a quick video of the hero just to show off what I was bringing home for dinner.

If you’re in the area, you have to stop by for a slice or a hero. The incredible prices, the delicious food, the old-school vibes, and the friendly staff make this place truly special.

Update

I’ve been here twice now. On my second visit, I ordered the cheesesteak with everything on it; I’d seen it being cooked up during my last trip and told myself, “I’m getting that next time.” I went with the half-size instead of the whole because the half Chicken Parmesan hero I had the first time was so filling.

The cheesesteak ($6) was solid and, just like the hero from my last visit, it was huge! It came with grilled onions and American cheese. I really enjoyed it and finished the whole thing in one sitting.

I also ordered a Sicilian slice since I missed out on it last time. I got the corner slice, and it was cooked perfectly. The Sicilian tasted amazing—and it was only $1.50! Honestly, where am I? The prices are so low I was a little confused, but I just paid in cash and didn’t ask questions.

Overall, I had a very satisfying lunch. I highly recommend Curioni’s Pizza if you are hungry and want a solid meal for an incredibly reasonable price. Maybe even too reasonable.