LBI’s oldest pizzeria, established in May of 1980 by Frank Panzone Jr. & his wife Joyce, it was originally a little slice shop with a takeout window & some outdoor seating. In 1984, they expanded to a second Panzone’s location in Surf City, still going strong today. In 1998, the Beach Haven slice shop was torn down giving way to this current full-service restaurant. An LBI institution for well over 40 years, I was practically raised on this pizza during summers in Harvey Cedars. I truly loved this pizza as a kid; now as an adult, I know better. Notoriously soft & doughy, Panzone’s has never served crispy or crunchy pies; though fairly tasty, the crust is just as soft as the body of the dough. This particular pie has a raw, undercooked dough feel & taste. Moderately floppy with zero char, the undercarriage is uniquely textured & spongy. The cheese is a basic shredded mozzarella blend, creamy in some parts, tight & cratered in other areas. Not overly oily, but the mozz does have a somewhat salty flavor. With some serious kick & more spice than sweetness, the sauce is slightly savory & terrifically tangy. Distinctively delicious, the sauce certainly stands out; but there are also some acidic properties that triggered my acid reflux & heartburn. The pizza at Panzone’s is unique, truly one of a kind, unfortunately, not in a good way. Despite my nostalgic loyalty, this pie is too soft, too doughy, too salty & far too acidic. With all due respect of their extensive history as the longest tenured pizzeria on the island, Panzone’s has lost a step over the years & has been surpassed by several newer spots on LBI.
