By the time you read this, I may very well have my toes in the sand and a cold drink in my hand on Long Beach Island. I’m headed to the Jersey Shore for a much-needed vacation. 

If I’m on LBI, you can rest assured I’ll be throwing back a few lobster rolls at Dock & Claw, and a Detroit-style pie or two at Queen City Crust. My wife and I are especially fond of their Bacon Onion Jam white pie with bacon, chives, and whipped garlic parm cream. It’s the first pizza we enjoyed as husband and wife, in fact.

If you’ve got some time at the Jersey Shore on the calendar before summer winds down, be sure to check out our guide to the best pizza at the shore, from Asbury Park down to Ocean City. And if you’re headed to the Pocono Mountains, we’ve got you covered for pizza there as well.

And a friendly reminder: Please tell all your pizza-loving friends about us!

In the wake of the Philadelphia 76ers signing LeBron James, we had some fun with our last poll question: LeBron says he wants to try the best pizza in Philly. Where are you sending him?

My choice, Pizzeria Beddia, was the winner with 24% of the vote, followed by Angelo’s at 20%, Santucci’s at 18%, CJ & D’s at 15%, Down North at 13%, and Tacconelli’s at 10%.

This week’s poll question isn’t about pizza, but summer. More specifically, summer vacation. Tell us:

Keep in mind, the “shore,” doesn’t necessarily mean Jersey Shore. It could be the Delaware or Maryland beaches, or the shores of the mighty Lake Erie.

I’m a beach guy through and through and through.

Let us know your preferred summer spot and we’ll run the results in our next edition.

A customer orders pizza inside Scranton’s Green Ridge News Mini Mart and Grill. (Contributed)

A few months ago, I sampled the pizza offerings at several Pennsylvania gas station/convenience store chains. I walked away from the experience underwhelmed, bestowing my highest praise on Wawa’s pizza by saying that it didn’t necessarily “look or taste like a pizza that’s been made at an establishment where you can also put air in your tires and purchase both loose bananas and condoms.” 

Following that story, a handful of Pizzavania subscribers urged me to check out the pizza at another gas station/convenience store, Scranton’s Green Ridge News Mini Mart and Grill. Several NEPA-reared friends confirmed that the two-and-a-half-hour trip would be worth my while, “for the accents alone,” one of them said. 

They were absolutely right, about both the quality of the pizza and the accents. But I wouldn’t dare put this stuff in the gas station/convenience store pizza category. Green Ridge News Mini Mart and Grill serves excellent Old Forge-style pizza that just happens to be available at an establishment where you can also gas up your car, and purchase lottery tickets and a newspaper—along with that NEPA lunchtime staple, Texas Weiners.

Read my full story about this hidden gem that serves pizza as good as anything I’ve ever had in Old Forge (I said what I said) below.

In the market for an iconic NEPA pizzeria? Victory Pig, which began serving its trademark trays of pan-fried Sicilian pizza way back in 1942, is on the market. 

The Wyoming property is listed for $799,000. According to the Wilkes-Barre Citizens’ Voice, Victory Pig is selling its closely guarded pizza recipe separately. (I’ve heard there’s peanut oil involved.) 

Rumors began circulating about Victory Pig’s potential closure and sale in October 2024.

You can check out the real estate listing here.

Someone has already submitted a bid. It’s well below the asking price.

The floor is yours, Pizzavania readers. Give us the scoop on your favorite pizzerias:

“Drexel Hill Style Pizza in Broomall. I moved away years ago, but when I’m back in the area, their pizzas are still utterly amazing, just like when I was a kid.” — Paul Devine

“Downingtown Pizza & Grill. They have a decent menu for a local pizza place. I really love their crust and toppings, and the white pizza is my favorite.” — Jmwat

“We tried the Fig & Pig pizza at the Dimmick Inn in Milford. My wife is searching for some version of this closer to home so we don’t have to drive several hours for a pizza—but we probably will!” — R.F.

“My husband’s family made me a big believer in Crazy Oven’s pizza. Of all the pizzerias we’ve got here in the Erie area—and there’s plenty of them—it’s become my favorite.” — Candace Quigley

“Have you ever been to Nonno Alby’s in West Reading? It’s the BEST! My buddies and I go here once a week. Kind of a thin crust-meets-Neapolitan style pie. They’re all personal size and there’s rarely leftovers!” — Sam T. (Ed note: Funny you should ask. I was just there Tuesday night on a friend’s recommendation and really enjoyed it.)

**You can find plenty more reader recommendations right here.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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