NJ.com has released their updated bi-annual NJ Pizza Power Rankings and for the first time a Bergen County pizzeria topped the list. Vesta Wood Fired Pizza & Bar in East Rutherford (View Dinner Menu) was heavily praised by Star Ledger food columnist Pete Genovese, with the Salsiccia (crumbled pork sausage, mozzarella, marinara, broccoli rabe, red pepper flakes and pecorino), and the Bianco Mushroom (shiitake and button mushrooms, fontina, mozzarella, parmigiano and truffle oil) getting high praise.

Other local pizzerias in the top five: Bruno’s Pizza in Clifton (#10), Pizza Town USA in Elmwood Park (#14), and Porto by Antonio in North Bergen (#19). Aquila Pizza al Forno in Little Falls, Jersey Pizza Co. in Wood-Ridge, Lido in Hackensack, Ronnie G’s Coal Oven Pizzeria in Ramsey, and S. Egidio in Ridgewood were all listed as “On the Rise” — other pizzerias given an honorable mention of sorts, which were visited by Genovese or highly recommended by the “faithful pizza tipsters”.

Vesta 64 Hoboken Road, East Rutherford, NJ Website

[photo source: Vesta]