Star Tavern

I’ve been going to Star since I was a kid and it’s always the best ! It’s been a staple for the City of Orange for years, and always has the best accommodating service. For starters you have to try the cold antipasto, it has fresh chunks of provolone, sliced salami, and pepperoni with some hot peppers served with a fresh loaf of bread. The plain cheese pizza is out of this world. It always has that crisp to it, and that classic Star flavor. One of the best places you can have a pizza or even just a drink at the bar in all of New Jersey.

A classic and North Jersey gem. Best thin crust pie in Essex County, all of NJ and probably the East Coast! I grew up on good pizza, and this place never disappoints! Consistency is on point!

Let me qualify this 2 star first by saying it has potential to move up with just one change (below) Parking is plentiful in the lots next to the restaurant. Staff is friendly and the place was packed for a rainy mid-week evening. The regular cheese pie had so much promise- the cheese was melted and well in some spots with cheese crisped up on some edges- all in a thin pizza. This is the style I love- sauce and cheese all over and thin with a slight crisp. However there was quite a bit of oil, similar to a NY slice- no worries Im starved. As I lift the first slice- instant flop... - uh oh, too much cheese? Nope, a soft, blanket-feeling undercarriage. I thought it may be undercooked but no it had some brown cooked spots too. As a first timer, I was not sure this was normal esp after reading reviews. However, the table over leaned in to ask and see our crust to compare to theirs- and were also disappointed at the undercarriage situation. Apparently they were patrons for many years and clarified that this was not normal and perhaps a new pizza chef was "learning". Hence the potential- and the cheese/sauce were great. We continued having a conversation with our table neighbors (tablors?), which was a great sign of the atmosphere.

The pizza here is extremely thin comparable to Federici’s is Freehold. Here the pizza is more richer and oilier plus their pizza is cheesier. The pizza was delicious especially their vegetable pie with extra cheese! They weren’t skimpy on toppings either. The pizza was soggy in the middle when folded up to eat, but it’s probably because of the extra cheese on a very thin pie. It was definitely very oily and messy, but the oil made it even more delicious! The place is packed and for good reason! I wish they sold coffee and had a dessert menu. I recommend Star Tavern in Orange, NJ!

I have friends that go out of their way to get pizza from here. I have had it but not necessarily fresh. So, I was in the area and gave it a shot. The pizza is awesome! So is the service and beef. I saw someone with wings and they looked good and were also confirmed as good. Took a bunch of pies home. Not cheap for the size but a nice treat without a doubt and worth it. Park on the street if the parking lot is full. If I lived closer, I would make it a go to.

We got two pizza pies (clam and pepperoni). They were delicious but very juicy and a bit wet. My son said this pizza was the juiciest pizza ever. It was hard to eat(because it was on a soft side, falling apart and wet) and quite rich. I could only have two slices and I was totally full. there was also a wait. Service was quick and okay. We felt the rush to turn the tables because people were waiting. I don't know if I will come back and wait even though it's a decent pizza.

This place is has got to be one of the best pizza places in America. I’m sure everything else is great but I’m a creature of habit and when I like something I keep getting it. The sausage with hot peppers well done is amazing and worth the wait and the drive being I love all the way down in ocean county

I recently had a good time at this casual pizza bar with my friends , and I thought I'd share my experience! The pizzas here are decent, not mind-blowing but satisfying for a casual meal. They offer a variety of toppings, so there's something for everyone. Now, let's talk about the chicken wings – they're a must-try! They were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with just the right amount of flavor and heat. We couldn't get enough of them, and they're definitely a highlight of the menu. If you're looking for something lighter, they also have salads. They're fresh and a good option if you want to balance out your meal with some greens. Plus, it's nice to have that option for those days when you want to be a bit healthier. And of course, what's a pizza bar without beer? They have a decent selection of brews to choose from, which pairs perfectly with the casual, relaxed atmosphere of the place. It's a family-friendly spot, so it's great for a laid-back night out with loved ones. The service was friendly and attentive, which added to the overall positive experience. Prices were reasonable too, making it an affordable choice for a casual meal with family or friends. In summary, if you're in the mood for some decent pizza, fantastic chicken wings, a salad option, and a cold beer in a casual, family-friendly setting, this pizza bar is worth a visit. It won't disappoint if you're looking for a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience. 🙂🍕🍺🍻😀

Star Tavern is hands down one of the best spots for pizza! Their thin-crust pies are perfection, and the wings are just as amazing--crispy, flavorful, and always on point. I love coming back here time and time again. The ambiance is no-frills and family-friendly, which adds to its charm. It's the kind of place where you can relax, enjoy great food, and feel at home. If you're looking for consistently excellent pizza in a welcoming environment, Star Tavern never disappoints!

The Star Tavern is a North Jersey gem for pizza lovers. Its unassuming exterior and small parking lot give way to a surprisingly modern and well-maintained dining room and bar. The beer selection is decent, focusing on domestic drafts, but the food steals the spotlight. Staff was quick, attentive, and friendly. The wings in scampi sauce are a standout, offering a unique twist that's both flavorful and satisfying. A clever move? Tossing fries in the leftover sauce for a shareable treat can't be beat! Of course, the pizza is the real reason to visit. The ultra-thin crust, balanced sauce-to-cheese ratio, and crisp, foldable slices make it an irresistible experience. These pies disappear fast, so ordering an extra is a wise choice. Leftovers, if any, are guaranteed to be a hit. Perfect for casual outings or serious pizza pilgrimages, The Star Tavern lives up to its reputation.

I've seen this restaurant highlighted on lots of food shows and on TikTok and it's been on my list of pizza places to try for quite a while, and to my surprise when researching pizza joints near my new home I discovered it was only 2 MILES FROM ME!!! You KNOW I had to give them a try and board game night with the family was a perfect time to try takeout. There's no ordering online so I had to call and the employee on the phone was super friendly, helpful, detailed and patient which was refreshing. She told me 30 minutes and the order would be ready and I arrived 30 minutes later on the dot and guess what? The food was ready! Brownie points for them! It was a little confusing upon entering the restaurant where to pick up to-go orders but I finally discovered where (at the back near the open kitchen) and there was a small line of folks waiting to pick up there's so I joined the line. The place itself was JAM PACKED ... I mean every single seat! And I waited I eyeballed the food and tables and coming out the kitchen and it all looked bomb! The employee ensured my order was accurate before handing it over and once I secured the bag I expeditiously headed home because the aroma of the food was to die for! The pies (which were all bar pies) all looked amazing and cooked to perfection and tasted just the same ... perfect crispness, loaded with toppings and in need of not a single sprinkle of garlic powder or anything. And the scampi wings .... these may be on my "last meal" request because OMG! The scampi sauce was divine and the wings were cooked and smothered perfectly! First time ever seeing scampi wings on a menu and wondering why bc HELLO ... PERFECTION! The only reason it's not a 5 star rating is bc we want to dine in as the food of course was a little cold (since it was like 25 degrees outside and we had to transport it home) and we want to try the pies especially hot out the oven ... so WE WILL BE BACK!

I've had alot of pizza .some good some bad but as far as star tavern. There pizza definitely falls on the good side. Id say great. I love thin crust where some of the edges have a little char. I was blown away with how fast it came out too. We made our order and like 5 to ten minutes 4 pies came out with my fries. The place has an old school setup with plain booths and tables ,nothing fancy but still comfortable. I can't wait until my next visit .

My co-worker told me about this place and mentioned it was her favorite thin crust pizza spot so I check out reviews and pictures and booked marked this place for some time now. Came here on a Friday night. Once you enter, you need to wait in line at the kitchen area (near the back), if you are dining in. There was a line but it went by pretty quick. Once seated I ordered the regular pie ($15.50) and the Old School everything w/o anchovies ($21.75). Both pies were solid and I like the fact the pies don't have crust or very little crust. I really enjoyed the pizza and def one of the best bar pizzas I have had. I will be back for sure. * Full service bar * Parking on premise * Good service

Star Tavern did it again! Been going here for several years and have never been disappointedly. Went around 5:30 on Tuesday night. Plenty of tables & bar seats available. Bartender was great! Cane over as soon as we sat down. The Caesar salad was fresh as always. We ordered a pepperoni pie & spinach garlic, both well done ( whole wheat crusts available too). Both came as requested and were delicious. We love thin crusts and that exactly what they were. This will continue to be at the top of our go-to places for pizza.

Great small pizza spot. Service was quick and food was delicious. Great spot for a quick bite or even to enjoy drinks and great food with friends

REVIEW UPDATE: The last time I reviewed Star Tavern was ten years ago - before the pandemic, and when Fivedollapie Tuesdays was a thing there. Not sure if Star sill has the $5 pies deal on a different day, but I didn't see it advertised anywhere when my husband and I stopped in last Tuesday. We sat in one of the booths and had a sit-down dinner that evening. Our waiter was nice; she was friendly when she greeted us and told us to sit at any of the open booths that we liked. This is what we ordered that night. -- Portobello Mushroom and Eggplant - ooey-gooey cheese on top of savory eggplant, mushrooms, and red peppers piping hot, straight out of the oven. Eat with a fork. It's delicious. -- My husband got the Mandarin salad, which is his favorite salad here. I sampled a bit and it's just as tasty as I remembered it. -- We got a plain thin slice pie (MUST) -- AND we wanted to try out the Wild Mushroom Pie - which had mushrooms, lemon zest, and thyme (gave very fall vibes so we wanted to order it) - This was my favorite; my partner liked it not his personal fav. Star Tavern never disappoints. It's a local institution. Check it out if you haven't or revisit it like we did if you haven't gone in a while.

Sure, I've been many times and feel a review isn't anything special for them. Even though our experience today was meh I know we'll be back in some form, dine-in or pickup. This was the first time getting the cheesesteak and maybe they were trying to be like Piccolos in Hoboken, but the onions killed the sandwich. I like onions, but way too much. Service was basic at best, but we did get there during the shift change, That can always be interesting in any restaurant. Nonetheless, like I said I'll be back, so have a good day.

Star Tavern is known for their pizza for a reason, as it is delicious! This establishment has been around for a long time. Known for their thin-style pizza, you go into their small parking lot (and sometimes need to park further away from it at busy times) and look to get that open table. During peak times, it will be busy and inside may look small, but they are able to fit a good amount of people. This is a great place when you have a night out and are catching up with a group of friends! They do well in accommodating people and groups over the years and always had good service here. Their star of the show of course is the pizza! I've had many pizzas here over the years, with my favorite just being that classic cheese pie! If I go for toppings, I am a sausage or meatball type of guy. If you prefer a crisper pie (which I do!), you can ask for the pizza to be well-done. When I am leading the charge of ordering, this is my go-to! I enjoy hearing and experiencing that crisp on this pizza, which does have a good flavor! As for other food, I have not had anything bad here! I have gotten many of their appetizers depending on my friends and my moods such as Garlic Bread, Fried Calamari, Mozzarella Sticks, Onion Blossoms, and Mac & Cheese without any complaints!

Classic NJ pizza place for tavern pies. Old school bar interior, really cool servers, and a healthy crowd. This place hardly warrants leaving a review but here i am. parking can quickly become a nightmare so plan to wait and be patient or try for street parking. their lot is small. for those with little kids they do have high chairs available but the dining room can get packed so take that into considerations. strollers are welcome but try and come during an offpeak time. again the dining area can get pretty packed. the booths have nice high backs so you dont have to worry about your nosey kid (like mine) peering at the next table over. some reviews say the cooks changed but they seemed the same to me! crispy crust and a little greasy (that's the flavor). pepperoni is 10/10 and our must get topping.

Pizza was nice and crunchy great flavor a little oily but that's expected from a bar pie, but was amazing... service was amazing after being seated., We were served drinks quickly. Pizza came out pretty fast. We was a group of four and the bill was $65 which included one plain and one pepperoni pie, and a order of garlic bread, three soft drinks and one beer Pretty awesome Ambience was cool. They had booths, tables and bar, TVs clean bathroom. .. The only negative was I wish the garlic bread was a little bit better kind of just a small roll cut open with olive oil and garlic . Pizz

The pizza here is extremely thin comparable to Federici's is Freehold. Here the pizza is more richer and oilier plus their pizza is cheesier. The pizza was delicious especially their vegetable pie with extra cheese! They weren't skimpy on toppings either. The pizza was soggy in the middle when folded up to eat, but it's probably because of the extra cheese on a very thin pie. It was definitely very oily and messy, but the oil made it even more delicious! The place is packed and for good reason! I wish they sold coffee and had a dessert menu. I recommend Star Tavern in Orange, NJ!

Visiting my brother in West Orange, he brought my son and I to what he claimed to be "the best pizza in the country" and I'd say his statement wasn't far off. The crust was thin, light and crisp, not overly sauced or topped. The crust and sauce were definitely the stars here and kitchen knows how to make them shine. My son got the ravioli Parmesan which he refused to share, so I can only imagine it was delightful. The dressing on their Caesar was homemade and bright, not over powering or over dressed. And I highly recommend the apple pie pizza. Dive in, the water is fine.

I've lived in Newark for the first 30 years in my life and never got an opportunity to go here. I moved to south Jersey and decided to stop here and grab some pizza for my family as I've always heard how great the thin crust was here, particularly when it's well done. I was sadly disappointed. For $16.00 it was medium in size...no seasoning or flavor of the pizza at all. I asked for well done so I can't complain about the burned crust but the pizza was just lacking overall. I've had better bar pies. I would say it was due to it being busy, but there was seating available and I called and placed an order well in advance. Can't say I would recommend. Try it if you've never been here just to say you did, but I can't say I would be back anytime soon.

One of the most famous pizza shops in NJ. Came here around 12PM on a Monday and there was a good amount of people but there was no wait. Very relaxed and chill ambiance. You can tell there were a lot of regulars there. The pizzas are thin and packed with flavor. My only complaint is that the pizzas didn't have the crispiness I was looking for in a bar pie. The mushroom pizza was a bit more watery than the plain but still good. Definitely recommend coming here to give it a try.

A New Jersey classic. Went to this place several times. Never disappointed. I like the plain pie, the pepperoni medium-well, and the cavatelli with broccoli.

This was a spot with tight tables and a casual bar known for their signature thin-crust pizzas. They also had other Italian specialties as well. The service was friendly and accommodating, while the food came out quickly. The place was packed so it was much appreciated. A regular cheese pizza ($15) and a tricolore salad ($12.25) were ordered. The pizza was not too bad. I was expecting more of a crisp given it was of the thin crust variety, but it was not. It was far too chewy. The sauce and cheese were ideal. The sauce was light and flavorful, but the crust just did not get the job done. The salad consisted of arugula, endive, and radicchio with onions and tomatoes in a balsamic vinaigrette. This was a well put together salad. There was a good balance of all three components, and they appeared fresh. The balsamic vinaigrette was thick which was pleasant. It was the key to this salad. It was great. I am not sure if it was homemade, but it was one of my favorite dressings I had in a while. There was also a raspberry glaze on the outskirts of the plate that went well with everything. Will I go back? Probably.

What a sick joke reading the few 1 star reviews! It must suck for competitors to keep up with Star Tavern who are incredibly consistent and a local favorite. This is my 4th time here, and one of my friends asked what the reviews were on Yelp. This is a clear 5 star place. The minute you walk in, you're greeted by waitresses, servers, etc, who are always joyful. Before we get to the best pizza in Northern NJ, let's talk about the apps, calamari, eggplant, wings are amazing. The star of the show are the pizzas. The crust is thin and crisp, the sauce is spectacular, and the mozzarella they use aint the supermarket brand, its packed with flavor that complements the freshest ingredients you get to chose from.

Everyone kept raving about this location and boy was I wrong to not have tried it sooner. Some of the thinnest pizza I ever had, but wow so much taste. I'm also a huge fan of thin pizzas so you know I will definitely be going back. The spot has onsite parking we were sat quickly and our server was very attentive. The place is big but super busy, people constantly coming in and out. I loved every second of it and I can't wait to try more food!

Place hasn't changed in many years. Don't go out of your way or make a special trip. If you're in the area and want to see how they've abused the superlative of World Famous Pizzeria, by all means stop in. I was pleasantly surprised to see an attempt to gourmand-up the greasy inconsistently cooked pizza's by adding fresh herbs, mushrooms and lemon zest. But as they say, you can't polish a brick. Sit by the bar for FiCoFiS seating. Otherwise go to the back for a booth. You can park around the block at dinner time in the mechanic lot. Service was tryin their best and hustled.

i have mixed feels about this place. First off, on a sunday early evening at like 430 it was slammed. service royally sucked. there isnt a host table, you just walk in and feel like you should seat yourself? we walked to the back window where the online orders were and no one helped us. make sure to speak up and then someone will tell u to seat yourself. we waited a few mins, no one came over to us, so we had to wave someone down. food came out before drinks. cheese pizza is good. im not a big fan of bar pies, but its good. let it sit for a few mins when it comes out. it was too floppy otherwise, so give it a second. but honestly it was filling and easy to share with 2 people. good flavor. wings. so we ordered buffalo wings with scampi sauce on them. we got just scampi wings? this isnt work. there was something off about them. i didnt hate them, but like i said something was off. also id like to state, there was no buffalo sauce on them at all. the wings have little meat on them and werent juicy. good prices, worth a trip to try it out.

A NJ pizza institution I finally got around to trying. Went around 6:00 on a Saturday and it was packed. Line was probably 25 people deep but it moved pretty quickly. Were seated in 15-20 minutes. I was probably expecting too much based on the reputation and lore. The pizza was very good. Perhaps the best tasting pizza I have ever had. Unfortunately, the crust didn't get it done. A little underdone and very, very floppy. OK once you folded it but just had no backbone at all. Again, tasted great. Just wouldn't make the haul all the way to the bowels of Orange to get it. Too many other options. Great atmosphere, though. So, quick update. It is much better reheated. If you bake it a bit on a very hot pan, the bottom crisps up nicely. Now, you shouldn't have to take a pizza home and rebake it, but in this case it improves it quite a bit.

The reviews and food bloggers made me want to try this thin pizza spot. The place is typical bar and for some reason I was under the impression it was an upscale pizza spot. It wasn't very clean inside like menu were sticky there was garbage on floor. Very bar vibes! We got the artichoke pizza to try and it took a while to come I guess because it got busy. The waiter apologized and went to check on it. When the pizza arrived unfortunately there was hair on it. So we tracked waiter down and showed him the hair. He apologized again and said he would get us a new pie. For appetizer we ordered mozzarella sticks which was pretty good and glad we did as pizza took a while. For drinks we got cocktails and birch beer. It seems like the spot to go to watch sports game so it definitely got busy closer to the game starting. I would go back to try a different pizza and judge as I didn't love the artichoke one but appreciate the thin crust. They have small parking lot which was great. Many people come in to pick up orders to go.

In the last few decades, I've been here several times of the day and night. Sorry, I don't get it. I've tried to like this place. Everyone seems to "rave" about the thin Pizza here. I've had much better. Definitely skip the wings. The calamari is the only "Star" at the Tavern. There's a strong need for more servers. The few servers are overworked. It's difficult to get your server's attention, if anything is needed during the course of your meal. The kitchen assistants bring out your food. Place is always packed. There's seating at the bar, along with booth/table seating. The tavern has their own parking lot. The overflow parking is in an adjacent lot.

Passed by last night 12/31/23. 6-9 decided to try this restaurant tonight 1/1/2024 I guess because it was closer to the house. i had my mind set to go to another establishment for a lamb burger. but here we are. Private Lot. 1small. Full bar. Several booths. several tables. close to one another. Can't say they didn't use the space available. Their menu had something for most. not sure what to get, I asked server the best dishes under house specialties I chose the Shrimp Penne Vodka. I must say the portion was large. food was piping hot and delicious. $23 before tax. Their chicken Ceasar salad looked good too. I didn't taste it. If I ever return on a future visit I'll order. pizza and blooming onion seem to be stars of the menu. nearly every table had either or both. water...Nasty!! No, I was not going to pay (well someone else...lol) pay several dollars for a soda I wouldn't fully drink. I drew a blank...stopping. I'll go back one day.

Great option for bar pizza. Not my favorite in NJ, but definitely up there. Each pizza is fairly large, and most are around $17-20. We ordered 3 pizzas to share among 4 people, which turned out to be the right amount. The pepporoni and plain were both great. Good crust, good amount of topping. Also ordered a traditional, which comes loaded with a bunch of toppings including anchovies. I didn't love this one... too stuffed for such a thin crust, and also they added way too many anchovies (they do ask you when you order if you want the anchovies included, so maybe next time if I were to order this I would request that they add them sparingly). We arrived towards the opening time on a Sunday lunch, and it did take a while for the pizza to come out. Parking lot available.

Love love love thin crust and these we're delicious albeit a bit $$$ Sat at the bar and enjoyed conversation with our bartender too! Recommend pepperoni for sure! We also devoured a mushroom not shown...less than 5 stars only due to cost being a bit high for a 6 slice pie

Old standby we had to visit during our trip back to NJ. Always busy, large bar and booths and tables for seating. Pizza was tasty as was the tricolore salad we ordered. Parking is limited but they do have an overflow lot behind the restaurant.

Went with relatives a week ago while visiting. The pizza was some of the best I've had in the US (I do like thin crust). Was very surprised to see the place does not have even 4 stars! Ppl should manage their expectations. If you want steak, go to a steak house. If you want pasta, go to a pasta restaurant. This is a neighborhood place for excellent pizza, not a fancy restaurant. It gets busy, but serves are polite and friendly. Not sure what more people want?

Service was impeccable everyone smiling and happy super helpful with Menu suggestions ..along the pizza crust is amazing Thank you guys again for a wonder experience !!!!

Always a great stop. Dennis and the staff are like family and will take great care of you.

Star Tavern used to be my favorite pizza in New Jersey, which is a pretty dramatic statement, but deserved. Unfortunately in the last few years, there has been a dip in the quality and overall experience, and it's just not the same perfect bar pie I remember. My noble chum and I stopped by here for a very early dinner (technically lunner, I guess - it was 3:30pm.) this past Monday. That absolutely could have been part of the problem here; a devil's advocate might argue that coming during a decidedly "off" time didn't guarantee the best staff/product, though my counter to that would be that the restaurant was open for business and should have provided its best possible level of food and service regardless. Your mileage may vary. Anyway. Even though it was pretty obvious why, it was very exciting to procure an actual parking spot right next to their restaurant in the lot; I'm not sure I've ever had anything other than street parking half a block down from this place (which isn't ideal since this neighborhood isn't the best), so it was a promising start to the adventure at least. I'm sure not everyone is going to agree on this, but I miss the authentic divey vibe Star Tavern used to have. It wasn't over-the-top grimy, but it was unique and felt more homey. Sometime in the past five years or so (I could be a little off on the timing), they did a massive interior overhaul and the personality just disappeared - it's weirdly gentrified now with a lot of sterile colors and paneling. I'll absolutely acknowledge though that I don't know if there's a legit back story that required the significant changes. Notwithstanding, it feels like an unforced error. At my recommendation, we split a plain pie ($15ish) and my chum requested mozzy sticks. The pie is still good, but not great. The most significant issue I encountered is that it's not as crispy as it used to be. By definition, the crust/dough is going to be extremely thin, so if it's floppy it's much tougher to eat, especially when the cheese is on the watery side. And don't get me wrong - I think for this type of pie that's exactly how the toppings should be. I'm not sure what the best pizza in New Jersey is now, but this one for me is out of the running. A shame. The mozzy sticks were surprisingly good, though we were both reasonably confident that they were just standard freezer apps. That suggests to me that they were heated up perfectly, and I thought the accompanying marinara sauce was excellent and reminded me of Pizza Hut (which I had to clarify for my dining companion WAS a compliment in this instance). A second order was accidentally procured and promptly consumed. I DO think it helped that the serving size wasn't egregious - it was six or seven sticks per plate. Coupled with a thin bar pie, I was able to walk out of there still feeling moderately frisky. The service was uneven. Our waiter was very nice, but also inattentive in spurts. We'd be looking for him to, say, order another app, and see him 20 feet away intently staring at his phone. That actually also happened when we walked in - there were two bartenders manning the front who we had trouble hailing down to confirm seating because they were both focused on their phones and not the customers. It wasn't a busy time so I can understand that to an extent, but the minute you have patrons roaming around, that should be the priority. You might have better luck coming at a busier time when the staff is more on their toes, but the chances of longer wait times understandably increase as well. This is still a recommendation, but I don't know that at this point I'd go too far out of my way to frequent it.

I had this spot bookmarked for their thin crust pizza. We happened to sort of be in the area so we decided to make a quick detour to swing by. It was a Friday at around 2 pm and the place was pretty packed. I guess everyone is taking advantage of summer Fridays. No one really acknowledges you when you walk in, so if you're doing pick-up, just go straight to the back. I called ahead to order the Old School Everything (onions, sausage, pepperoni, peppers, mushrooms & anchovies). This or the mushroom were the only pies that really appealed to me. I was a bit hesitant about the anchovies because I'd never had it on pizza before (or at all, I don't think), but decided to just go with it. Although, there was a slight hiccup where they thought I called it in without anchovies (which I didn't) so they had to add it on and it took a bit longer than expected. But NBD. I still enjoyed the pie. The anchovies are salty but give it a nice umami flavor but it definitely is not for everybody. The crust was not as thin as I thought it would be. I guess I was expecting more of a tavern-style pie. The pie looks small but it's actually very filling. Would I make the trek back for another pie? Probably not. But I'm still glad I got to try it.

Pizza is smaller. It feels like ownership is different. Joes in Maplewood nj is definitely better value now and just better pan pizza . Star has the bar and all but takeout pizza isn't worth the trip now.

No better Pizza in North Jersey in my opinion. Thin, bar pie like pizza is the best. They also have plenty of great non pizza items on the menu. Its worth the wait in line to eat at Star Tavern.

It's a must! Ask for well done! One of the best! Thin pie! Bacon & Olives! Don't expect warm and fuzzy. Service is very good.

Dear [Restaurant Management], I wanted to bring to your attention an unpleasant experience I had at your establishment recently. I encountered a server who was incredibly rude and unprofessional. While I don't recall her name, her attitude was memorable (fat-ass) The server in question was clearly unhappy and made no effort to provide good service. Her behavior included eye-rolling and abrupt responses. This is a concern as it reflects poorly on your restaurant. The food quality is good, but the service can make or break a customer's experience. I believe staff attitude is crucial in the hospitality industry, and this individual's conduct was unacceptable. I hope you can address this issue to ensure a better dining experience for future patrons.

I would give this 2.5 service was okay. The pizza was thin crust (the way I like it), but it was on the burnt side crust and under carriage sides. So that took away from the experience. The calamari was okay as well.

What can I say, Star is the best. Love the Pizza, wings, garlic bread, shrimp bowl. All delicious. There is a reason it is always busy. Wait staff is great, hectic pace and that makes this spot so much fun. Pizza is thin crust and just the right amount of sauce and cheese...yummy

I love the pizza here (still not better than Joe's Pizza in Vauxhall) but pretty good. I'll go to this spot once in a while. The service is usually quick and the ambiance is that of a standard neighborly spot. Not too shabby or elegant.

Star Tavern is a staple in the central Jersey area. This neighborhood restaurant specializes in thin crust, bar styled pizza and has been around for 75 years. Anytime I come in here it is booming!! Tables are full, people everywhere ordering to go and the kitchen is moving fast getting as much food out as fast as possible. During my most recent visit we ordered a cheese pie, pepperoni pie and some wings. The pepperoni was definitely the highlight. Star Tavern fills the entire slice with cheese so there ends up being no crust. As much as I love cheese, I kind of miss the doughy crust every time I come here but the pizza is still very solid. Check it out!

Nothing beats Jersey and New York style pizza. It's all about that dough! The key ingredient to having good dough is the Jersey water. Each pie is made fresh to order. My party and I ordered 2 pies: cheese and pepperoni. They do not hold back on the cheese here, and I am not complaining! I love the fresh and hot, ooey gooey cheese just dripping off the plate. Although I wasn't able to capture the money shot... the first one to grab the slice of pizza, I'm going to describe how it looked and felt. It's all about that cheese pull. I grabbed that first slice, and I just kept pulling and pulling that cheese. I didn't realize that they had garlic in one of the dispensers, I just thought it was parmesan cheese, haha. Once I took that first bite, I knew I was going to be in trouble! The pizza was nice and hot. I burned my tongue, but it was well worth it. The cheese just melted in my mouth, and the bottom had a perfect balance of softness and crispiness. The service was spot on, and we didn't have to wait long for our food to be served. Our waiter was super busy, but he still managed to check in with us. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be back here again! If you're in the area, tell all your friends, family, co-workers, lovers, etc. to come and check this place out.

So happy we came here! The pizza is 10/10. So cheesy, perfect thin crust, and the right amount of sauce. The wings are also so good with just the right amount of spice and so flavorful. The beer is super cold! Staff is amazing, very welcoming, and attentive. The restaurant does get crowded so there was a little wait for the food to come out but so worth it because everything was delicious! We'll definitely be back many more times.

If you are looking for consistently excellent pizza, look no farther than Star Tavern. It's no surprise they've won best pizza in NJ so many times. We always get the Old School Everything with Anchovies. Have been a loyal customer for many years and have yet to have a bad meal. If you go late evenings or on weekend make sure to pack some patience.. the place gets mobbed.

This is very much the tale of two pizzas. It was the perfect crust, then it was the too thin crust. A few tips when walking in...it isn't obvious where to sit or where to wait when you walk in. If you want to sit at the bar that is first come first serve, so just grab a seat. If you want a booth or table, go to the back near the kitchen. There's chairs if you need them for your wait and just try and catch whoever is walking around looking like they know what is up. Pay attention to who is there before you and who comes after, and what number they call "table for 2", "table for 3", and make sure you don't get skipped. It didn't happen to me, but I could see how it could happen. Now for the pizza. We ordered two - one plain, one pepperoni. They have specialties, but when my friend and I try a spot for the first time, we always try the plain and one topping to get a feel for the place. The first one came out pretty quickly, and it was a very good bar pie - good sauce to cheese ratio, and good crust. Unfortunately, there was a mix up, and we never got the pepperoni, at which point the waitress noticed and went back to address the issue. When the pepperoni came out, it was too thin, and hard to manage. So I think it was just a one-off, because the other pies I saw come out all looked fine. The taste was still there, so they get another shot, and we will be back. Final note ... this is a great place to have a casual experience, good pizza, and a pitcher of beer. Great bar area, and great to just sit and take in the ambiance that comes with an established pizza joint with regular folk as customers. Enjoy.

We've been to S.T. tons of times. There's no question their pizza is top notch. However, the last time we were there the service was the worst. We also sent them a message on their website letting them know what happened, i.e. asked for wings with flats only (no drumsticks) and told server if they couldn't do it not to bother, so he brings us wings with drumsticks; had to ask at least three times to two different servers for a couple of lousy beers, which finally showed up when the pizza was practically gone, and they didn't even take them off the check. I get it's a 'blue collar, bar-type' vibe, but if you treat your customers like sheep, and ignore their legit complaints, you're gonna get a bad review.

If I could give this place more than 5 stars, I would in a heartbeat. My husband and I LOVE this place. We get the same order every time as well (when you find something good, why change it?). We always order the buffalo chicken pizza with scampi wings and a side of garlic bread to dip in the scampi sauce. They also have a full bar which is always a plus. The people working are also very down to earth and give off a more chill vibe. LOVE LOVE LOVE Star Tavern and HIGHLY recommend!

Apparently, the Star Tavern is so infamous it's a right of passage amongst New Jerseyans. It is literally a corner store pizza shop in a very busy residential section of Northern New Jersey. They have a small parking lot on sight, and ominous signs for auxiliary parking. Although the outside is brick and there are flowers on the wall, the inside is actually pretty modern. There are booths lining the walls, a bar on the left side, and black tables and chairs in the center. Pretty clean, and everything gets wiped down quickly when a party leaves. There is a definite casualness about the vibe - so many patrons are obviously regulars, and even if you're not, you're treated the same way. "Well next time you come in..." Because of course it's assumed you're coming back! And why wouldn't you? The food is delicious. My penne alla vodka has perfectly cooked chicken. The sauce had larger onions and peppers (which my texture sensitive self deftly ate around) and there was a large piece of bread for sopping it up. I made sure to scrap all I could into a to go container, because the portion was HUGE. You don't have to question getting your money's worth. The sauce also has a bit of a kick to it, it's not your supermarket sauce. The pizza oven can be seen from inside the dining room, and it's apparently their specialty. Star Tavern has nailed the dough/sauce/cheese ratio. Not a thick crust, but by no means thick, it has a good chew. No excessive grease, but enough so you know this pizza was cooked perfectly prior to serving. I understand why this is considered an institution.