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 back in November, and the spot has now soft-opened in the Mile Square. Read on for what we know about Ovale, Hoboken’s newest pizzeria.
The Details + About Ovale
On Monday, October 6th, The Hoboken Girl received numerous reader reports that signage for a new pizzeria had landed 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.” HG has confirmed with Ovale via DM that the spot is now soft-open in Hoboken as of December 2023.
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Ovale specializes in Roman pizzas, a mix of “pinsas,” (a style of hand-pressed dough that allows for a crispy crust with an airy interior), and traditional pizza. 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.
Right now, Ovale is soft open, with plans to expand its menu in the coming months. Some of the pizzas bear traditional toppings like cheese and pepperoni, others are elevated with different assortments of cheeses, meats, and vegetables. There are also some focaccia sandwiches, with bread made fresh at the Cliffside Park location. Eventually, the owner Antonio hopes to introduce breakfast items, like avocado toast on focaccia and a coffee bar. You can browse the menu here.
Before opening, a brief description of Ovale’s pizza-making process was displayed in the Willow Avenue window: “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. In Hoboken, Ovale is primarily take-out with limited seating — but the owner is confident that these pies can speak for themselves.
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