Tomato Pie

How come no one every calls it "tomato pie" any more? Where I grew up near Trenton, NJ it was always tomato pie. Of course, they never had a "Tomato Pie Hut."

They still call it tomato pie in New Haven ... where it is said that Frank Pepe, the granddaddy of pizzerias there, was allergic to tomatoes!

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A sign on the wall at Pepe's:

But remember also that, in Trenton at least, tomato pie is distinct from pizza, the distinction being the use of smushed canned tomatoes on the pie rather than a pizza sauce. Even in Trenton, though, many people don't make the distinction, but there are quite a few places that make both pizza and something called some variation of "traditional Trenton tomato pie". The great Delorenzo's on Hudson Street makes only tomato pies.

It's true that Frank was allergic to tomatoes. And remember, in New Haven it's apizza (pronounced ah-BEETS), not pizza.

There's vastly popular Italian restaurant called "Nick's Tomato Pie" on Indiantown Rd. in Jupiter, FL. Excellent New York Style hand tossed thin crust with spicy tomato sauce and loads of cheese.

There are still plenty of places that make and serve Tomato Pies in the Philadelphia area. One that comes to mind is Pica's Restaurant on West Chester Pike in Upper Darby.

quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Bilmes & Sue Boyle

But remember also that, in Trenton at least, tomato pie is distinct from pizza, the distinction being the use of smushed canned tomatoes on the pie rather than a pizza sauce. Even in Trenton, though, many people don't make the distinction, but there are quite a few places that make both pizza and something called some variation of "traditional Trenton tomato pie". The great Delorenzo's on Hudson Street makes only tomato pies.

Delorenzos is fantastic, still lines out the door. But why did Joe's Tomato Pies go dark? Always wanted to eat there, always seemed to be closed, has been defunct for some time...