Scott Wiener is no ordinary historian, his passion for pizza led him to leave his day job almost 6 years ago to start his own pizza tour company (Note: Scott’s tours are highly recommended. Definitely check out his NYC Pizza Bus on Sundays). He’s spent years traveling the globe, tasting every style of pizza at as many pizzerias he could. As part of that passion, he’s also amassed a large collection of pizza boxes (some sent from far away places from fans) culled from over 10 years of exploration. The history, art and technology of those boxes are at the heart of his first book, Viva La Pizza: The Art of The Pizza Box (Melville House; Out Today).

Scott is a New Jersey native and an endless resource on pizza. So Boozy Burbs  got him to dish a little, digging into some of his vast pizza knowledge in regards to Bergen County. Below are his favorite spots in the area, with a brief take on each one…

Scott’s Top 5 Bergen County Pizzerias

• A Mano in Ridgewood – Classic Neapolitan pizza baked in a super-hot wood-fired brick oven in about 90 seconds. I love the simple, elegant Pizza Margherita but the menu is full of great pies. Website
• Mr Bruno’s in Lyndhurst – An unstoppable Sicilian pizza. Creamy cheese and tart sauce atop a thick-yet-airy crust. i dream about this one. Website
• Nellie’s Place in Waldwick – Nice thin crust pizza in a super cozy room. Website
• Pizzaland in North Arlington – Divey and greasy and atypical, this is just a perfect Saturday afternoon pie. I love the meatball topping. Website
• Pizza Town USA in Elmwood Park – Family run since 1958, I cannot drive past without stopping for a slice. And once I’m inside for a slice I MUST get some zeppole.

Viva La Pizza: The Art of The Pizza Box is available signed online via McNally Jackson (local NYC) or at online retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.