- Attraction: Joey Nova’s Pizzeria
- Location: 5655 Manitou Rd, Excelsior, MN 55331
- Industry: Restaurant
- Website: https://joeynovas.com/
Forget everything you thought you knew about Midwest pizza.
Joey Nova’s has been serving up authentic East Coast-style pies since 2006 that would make a New Yorker weep with joy.
This beloved Excelsior institution specializes in authentic East Coast-style pizzeria fare, serving the finest pizza, grilled subs and pasta with from-scratch recipes. What started as one owner’s mission to bring genuine New York pizza to Minnesota has evolved into a local legend where families drive from neighboring towns just for a slice.
The restaurant captures that authentic NYC pizzeria atmosphere with its bustling energy, reminiscent of a New York City pizza shop with constant activity and an extensive menu of options.
Whether you’re craving a quick slice or planning a family dinner, Joey Nova’s delivers that rare combination of authentic taste and Minnesota hospitality that keeps customers coming back for years.
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Keep Exploring →Signature Pizza Experience
The Legendary Slice Size: Prepare yourself for pizza slices that defy physics and logic.
These slices are absolutely massive – customers consistently describe them as larger than your head and bigger than the plates they’re served on. The enormous size means most visitors end up taking half their slice home for later, making it an incredible value proposition.
East Coast Authenticity: Customers with genuine East Coast Italian heritage have praised Joey Nova’s for delivering pizza that matches authentic NYC-style oversized, foldable pizza with exceptional dough.
The hand-tossed crusts achieve that perfect New York balance – crispy enough to hold massive toppings yet flexible enough to fold. The sauce consistently earns praise for its tangy flavor profile and fresh, aromatic qualities that distinguish it from typical Midwest pizza sauce.
Signature Specialty Pizzas: Local favorites include the Drag It Tru Da Garden specialty pizza and their highly praised buffalo chicken pizza.
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Discover MoreThe buffalo chicken option receives particular acclaim among regular customers, alongside their creative combinations that showcase quality ingredients. The meatball pizza has also earned recognition as a standout menu item.
The Famous Slice Deal: You can score an incredible slice combo deal that includes a massive slice, drink, and salad – offering tremendous value for the generous portions. This popular combination provides exceptional value given the enormous slice size.
Beyond Pizza Excellence
Grilled Subs & Sandwiches: The menu extends far beyond pizza with impressive grilled subs served on artisan breads.
Popular options include Joey’s Cheese Steak with grilled peppers, onions, tomato, provolone and horseradish mayo, and the Chicken Parmesan with breaded chicken breast, melted mozzarella, marinara sauce and aged parmesan. The buffalo chicken sandwich consistently receives praise for its quality and generous portions.
Pasta Perfection: Joey’s cooks with 100% Durum Wheat Semolina pasta, offering dishes like Spaghetti and Meatballs with Italian-style meatballs, Rigatoni Gorgonzola with chicken, bacon and light gorgonzola cream topped with candied walnuts, and Baked Ziti with Italian sausage, homemade marinara, ricotta, mozzarella and aged parmesan.
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Keep Exploring →The spaghetti features exceptionally large meatballs that have earned legendary status among regulars.
Garlic Bread Greatness: The cheesy garlic bread receives consistent praise from customers who describe it as perfectly soft yet crunchy, making it an ideal complement to the main dishes.
Atmosphere & Dining Experience
Authentic Pizzeria Vibe: The restaurant successfully recreates that classic New York pizzeria atmosphere – always jam-packed with energy and excitement reminiscent of street-side pizza shops. The constant flow of customers creates an energetic, authentic dining environment that feels genuinely bustling.
Family-Friendly Focus: The restaurant goes above and beyond for families, with pizza makers offering play dough to keep children entertained.
You’ll find thoughtful touches like providing dough for kids to play with and offering olive samples. The casual, welcoming atmosphere makes it perfect for family dinners, date nights, or quick solo meals.
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Discover MoreOrder-and-Seat Setup: The restaurant operates with a counter-ordering system where you place your order and find your own seating at booths or tables. They display a comprehensive menu on the wall with extensive options, making it easy to see all available choices before ordering.
Practical Considerations
Value Proposition: While prices might seem elevated initially, the enormous portion sizes make it an excellent value – most customers end up with leftovers from their massive slices.
The combination of size and quality makes the pricing very reasonable for what you receive. Many families find that one or two slices easily feed multiple people.
Busy Times & Ordering: During peak periods, the restaurant operates at maximum capacity, which sometimes means they can’t accommodate specific pickup times. The popularity occasionally leads to longer wait times, but most customers agree the food quality makes it worthwhile.
Dietary Options: The restaurant offers excellent gluten-free options that receive praise from customers with dietary restrictions. Vegetarian options are also available throughout the menu.
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Keep Exploring →Pizza Challenge: For the truly ambitious, Joey Nova’s offers a New York pizza eating challenge – finish a whole pizza in 30 minutes and win $100, or team up with a friend and each earn $25 plus prizes like shirts and hats.
Joey Nova’s Pizzeria
📍 5655 Manitou Rd, Excelsior, MN 55331
