La Gondola Pizzeria, Ramsey, N.J

La Gondola Pizzeria is a Pizzeria in a local shopping center in my area, Ramsey, N.J. My daughter in law first took me there raving about their pizza. We both had the "All Natural" a pizza made with roasted Tomatoes, Spinach and light cheese on a nice thin crust. It was absolutely delicious. From then on that was the place we ordered pizza from or went to for a nice family style Italian meal. That was well over 10 years ago, we still go there at least once a week.

The store is located in a pretty typical shopping center off a highway in Ramsey, N.J.. The store is long and narrow in the front opening to a good size dining room in the back. As you walk in you can peruse the glass display case and see all the beautiful varieties of pizza available. The aroma is mouth watering. You can watch the pizza ovens fill as the different orders are filled. Most of the time the owner is on the premises behind the counter. He's a good looking, friendly guy who doesn't seem to age. The people behind the counter are always fast and courteous. The waitresses in the dining room are also very friendly and eager to please.

Hours are Monday through Friday 11:00 am to 10:00 pm . Same hours Saturday. Friday night they stay open until 11:00. They're closed on Sunday.

You can get all the typical pizza offerings as well as Calzones with vegetable or meat filling at $7.50 or $9.50 depending on whether you order large or small.. They also offer gourmet pizzas, for instance, the Mamma Mia with Fried Chicken or the Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Ham. There is White pie, Rustica, Rucola e Pomadoro, Meat Lovers and more. There are all sorts of toppings to choose from for your pies. Pizza is $12.75 for regular, $15.50 for Sicilian . You can also get a Supreme regular for $18.50 or Supreme Sicilian for $20.50. Each has tons of toppings. A slice, a very large slice, more like two in size is $2.25 for a regular slice or $2.50 for Sicilian and $3.20 for gourmet. Salads are an array of different styles including Antipasto both Italian and American style. They run $6.95 and $7.95.

Appetizers can be Calamari, Mussels or Chicken Fingers for the kids. The fried Calamari is $8.50, the Chicken Fingers only $6.25 and they come with fries. You can get Pizza Fries meaning they are covered with Mozzarella and Tomato Sauce. Try Garlic knots (4) for $$2.00.

You can choose Hot subs , 12 versions, that run $7.49 and if you want extra meat it's only $1.50 more. You can get 11 different Steak Sandwiches and cold sandwiches.

If you want dinner in the back room you won't spend more than $11.95 and you can get lovely items like Penne with Vodka Sauce (with or without Chicken) or Capellini Neopoletani, There are all the Italian classics, full dinners and even Chicken Wings at 12 for $10.50, very reasonable. Side orders offer Sausage or Meatballs two per person for $4.00.

The selection is huge, the flavors are divine., the pizza is excellent.

This is a gem, if you live close enough to go there consider yourself very lucky.