In 2022, Hoboken was named New Jersey’s most densely pizzeria-populated city in New Jersey. For locals, this title is pretty unsurprising — our bank statements prove just how plentiful pizza options are — but perhaps what is surprising are the new pizzerias that continue to pop up, even in the face of so much crust competition. A Cliffside Park-based restaurant, Ovale, is the latest pizza joint to enter the Hoboken ring. The Hoboken Girl readers noticed signage for the eatery at 305 Willow Avenue earlier this week, and an opening date is in the near future. Read on for what we know about Ovale Pizza, the newest pizzeria coming to Hoboken soon.
Photo Credit: Jamie Hargraves
What We Know
On Monday, October 6th, The Hoboken Girl received numerous reader reports that signage for a new pizzeria had landed on at 305 Willow Avenue, the former Prime Time Convenience location that moved next door. Reading “Ovale,” the signage seemingly belongs to a Cliffside Park artisanal pizzeria of the same name, that previously went by “It’s Pinsa.”
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Ovale specializes in Roman ‘pinsa’, a style of hand-pressed dough that allows for a crispy crust with an airy interior. For Ovale, crust is king: the restaurant’s website boasts the slogan “In crust we trust,” and its menu makes that clear with over 20 pizza options to choose from, including vegan.
Some of the pinsas bear traditional toppings like cheese and pepperoni, others are elevated with different assortments of cheeses, meats, and vegetables. If the Hoboken menu is anything like its Cliffside Park counterpart, residents can also expect a selection of stuffed focaccias and salads. You can browse the menu here.
Displayed in the Willow Avenue window is a brief description of Ovale’s pinsa-making process: “Our technique includes the use of sourdough, 85% hydration, 72 hours of maturation, and twice-baked. The result is a low gluten dough, easy to digest, crunchy and fluffy with less calories than the common pizza dough.”
The Ovale in Cliffside Park is BYOB with a casual vibe and indoor seating available for customers. There are also take-out and delivery options via its website.
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On an Ovale Instagram post from September 15th, a user commented inquiring about an opening date for Ovale’s Hoboken location, to which the pizzeria responded: “Hopefully next days… will announce it soon…thank you.” The Hoboken Girl reached out to Ovale to learn more about what to expect from its Mile Square brick-and-mortar but has yet to receive a response.
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Like we said before: Hoboken has no shortage of pizzerias, and while we wait for Ovale to arrive on Willow Avenue, check out our guide to Hoboken’s best pizza spots, organized by your cravings (yes, we are that friend).
As always, be sure to follow @thehobokengirl on Instagram and TikTok.
