- Attraction: Kinchley’s Tavern
- Location: 586 N Franklin Tpke, Ramsey, NJ 07446
- Industry: Restaurant
- Website: https://www.kinchleyspizza.com/
A giant horse statue perches on the rooftop, silently guarding what pizza lovers across Bergen County have considered sacred ground for nearly nine decades.
Kinchley’s Tavern opened its doors in 1937 and has been cranking out award-winning ultra-thin crust pizza using the same family recipe for over 70 years.
This isn’t just another neighborhood pizzeria—it’s a destination that has earned titles like Bergen County’s #1 Thin Crust Pizza, Best Pizza in the Tri-State, and Zagat’s Best Bang for the Buck.
What makes this place remarkable isn’t just the pizza, though that’s certainly the star.
It’s the complete experience: checkered tablecloths, wooden decor that transports you back several decades, a model train display that mesmerizes kids, and an atmosphere that feels like stepping into a time capsule of authentic Jersey tavern culture.
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Keep Exploring →Whether you’re grabbing lunch on a Tuesday or trying to snag a table on a packed Saturday night, you’ll find yourself among locals who’ve been coming here for generations—and visitors who’ve driven from across the state just for a taste.
The Legendary Pizza
The Crust: This is where Kinchley’s separates itself from every other pizzeria in the tri-state area. The crust measures about 2mm thick—seriously, it’s cracker-thin—and achieves that perfect combination of crispy and slightly chewy.
They run their dough through a press to get that signature thinness, and when it comes out of the oven, you’re looking at a pizza that’s sturdy enough to hold but delicate enough that you can practically see through it.
The Sauce and Cheese: The tomato sauce hits that sweet spot of tangy and savory without overwhelming the other flavors. It’s got that old-school pizza taste that makes you nostalgic even if you’re trying it for the first time.
The cheese melts into a gorgeous blanket across the entire pie, with just enough oil to give it that authentic tavern-style sheen. Each pie comes served on a classic metal tray, adding to the vintage appeal.
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Discover MorePlain Cheese: The simple cheese pizza showcases the kitchen’s mastery. The balance of crust, sauce, and cheese is so well-executed that many regulars never order anything else. A medium pizza is perfectly portioned for one hungry person, while a large can easily feed two to three people depending on appetite.
Specialty Toppings: The sausage pizza gets loaded with sweet Italian sausage that’s cooked to perfection. The Buffalo chicken version stands out because they mix buffalo sauce directly into their regular pizza sauce rather than just drizzling it on top, creating a balanced, integrated flavor.
Fresh crunchy celery adds texture and helps cut through the richness. The meatball mushroom pie combines two hearty toppings that complement each other beautifully. The garbage pie delivers a delicious everything-loaded experience that lives up to its maximalist name.
The Fra Diavolo Option: If you like heat, every pizza can be made Fra Diavolo style. The standard sauce leans mild, so this spicy upgrade brings welcome intensity without masking the other flavors.
Beyond Pizza: Other Menu Highlights
The Meatballs: Order these as a side or appetizer and you won’t regret it. These protein-packed spheres showcase the same quality tomato sauce that tops the pizzas, and they’re perfect for dunking bread into the leftover sauce.
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Keep Exploring →Mussels: Whether you order them marinara, scampi, or fra diavolo style, the mussels here are a solid choice. They’re fresh, plump, and swimming in flavorful sauce that begs to be soaked up with crusty bread.
Garlic Bread: The garlic bread comes out hot and buttery with a satisfying crunch on the outside and soft interior.
Coconut Shrimp: This appetizer delivers generous portions of properly breaded shrimp served piping hot—a crowd-pleasing starter.
Wings: You can get a dozen baked wings tossed in traditional buffalo, chipotle ginger, BBQ, or sweet chili sauce. They come with blue cheese or ranch on the side.
Caesar Salad: The giant Caesar salad is perfect for sharing and makes an excellent starter before diving into your pizza.
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Discover MorePasta Dishes: The full Italian menu includes baked lasagna, stuffed shells, baked ziti, ravioli (meat or cheese), and fettuccini alfredo. The lasagna stands out as a particularly noteworthy option for those venturing beyond pizza.
Sandwiches and More: Turkey clubs, ham and cheese sandwiches, burgers, and chicken or beef platters round out the menu for anyone not in the mood for pizza or pasta.
Weekly Specials Worth Planning For
Monday Night Special: All-you-can-eat ravioli turns Monday into a carb-loading celebration. It’s a family favorite and a great value.
Tuesday Night Special: All-you-can-eat linguine and meatballs brings people back week after week. The combination of perfectly cooked pasta and those exceptional meatballs makes Tuesday a tough reservation to get.
The Bar and Beverages
Draft Beer Selection: Ten taps flow with a rotating selection of seasonal and regional craft brews. This isn’t your typical domestic-only bar—they put thought into their beer program while keeping options accessible.
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Keep Exploring →Old-School Drinks: You can get a Saranac root beer, red birch beer, or even a New York-style chocolate egg cream. These vintage beverage options perfectly complement the throwback atmosphere.
Root Beer Floats: Birch beer floats and Coke floats bring a nostalgic dessert-drink hybrid that kids and adults both enjoy.
Desserts
Ice Cream Treats: Hot fudge, butterscotch, and strawberry sundaes are classic and satisfying. The creamsicle floats and super ice cream sodas (chocolate or vanilla) lean into that retro diner vibe.
Specialty Desserts: Chocolate mousse cake, Kentucky Derby pie, and Italian ices round out the dessert menu. You can always add a la mode to your pie for that warm-and-cold contrast.
The Atmosphere and Decor
Vintage Tavern Vibes: The interior feels frozen in time in the best possible way. Wooden decor, checkered tabletops, and vintage tavern styling create a cozy, welcoming environment that feels authentically Jersey. Some tables even feature Kinchley’s branding pressed right into them.
The Model Train Display: A working model train setup captures kids’ attention and adds to the family-friendly charm. It’s one of those small touches that makes the place memorable.
Seating Options: Choose from booths, tables, or bar seating depending on your preference. The bar area is separated from the main dining room, giving each space its own character.
The Social Scene: This place gets loud, noisy, and boisterous—especially after games or on weekend nights. It’s the neighborhood hangout where strangers at the bar might strike up friendly conversations. Think of it as a Bergen County institution where regulars know each other and newcomers quickly feel like part of the community.
The Crowds: Expect this place to be mobbed, particularly on weekends. The efficient operation means food comes out quickly even when packed, but the bustling atmosphere is part of the charm.
Other Considerations
Pricing: This is solidly affordable pizza and Italian food. Two large plain cheese pizzas come in around $9-10 each, which is exceptional value for the quality. Most pasta dishes range from $11-$15, and even specialty items stay reasonable.
The weekly all-you-can-eat specials provide outstanding bang for your buck. Overall, you’ll find Kinchley’s delivers premium quality at mid-range prices—exactly what earned them that Zagat recognition.
Cash Only: Here’s the big one: Kinchley’s is strictly cash only. No credit cards, no checks. There’s an ATM on premises if you get caught off guard, though be prepared for potential service fees. This old-school policy aligns with the vintage tavern experience but can surprise first-timers.
Reservations: Strongly recommended for any size party. They do accept reservations, and you’ll want one—especially for Friday and Saturday nights or those weekly specials. Walk-ins can face significant waits during peak times.
Parking: Ample free parking is available in their own lot. This is a huge plus compared to many North Jersey establishments where parking becomes a challenge.
Location: Situated just off Route 17 in Ramsey on the Mahwah border, Kinchley’s is easily accessible from all points in Bergen and Rockland Counties. That famous horse on the roof makes it impossible to miss.
Family-Friendly: This place caters beautifully to families with kids. There’s a dedicated kids’ menu featuring items like spaghetti with meatballs, baked ziti, macaroni and cheese, chicken fun bites with fries, and hot dogs.
The casual atmosphere means parents can relax without worrying about their children being too loud.
Takeout: The full menu is available for takeout, and they even offer frozen pizzas you can bake at home. Same great pizza, same great price—just colder until you pop it in your oven.
Dietary Options: Gluten-free and vegan options are available, making this accessible to diners with various dietary needs.
Best Time to Visit: Lunch on weekdays tends to be less crowded than dinner service. If you want the full buzzing tavern experience, Friday and Saturday nights deliver maximum energy. Sunday afternoons hit a sweet spot between atmosphere and manageability.
When to Eat Your Pizza: Here’s an insider tip: eat your pizza fresh at the restaurant. While takeout works fine, that ultra-thin crust truly shines when consumed immediately. The crispness and perfect temperature make all the difference.
Kinchley’s Tavern
📍 586 N Franklin Tpke, Ramsey, NJ 07446
