Nomad Pizza Co. started as a truck-based operation and opened an actual restaurant a couple weeks ago in Hopewell, New Jersey.After the jump, I've got a picture of the oven at the new Nomad restaurant, courtesy of Paulie, but before that, I want you to check out their truck:
A restored 1949 REO Speedwagon with an honest-to-goodness wood-burning oven. Here's what they say about it:
Our truck is completely self contained. The truck has a wood fired brick oven, a commercial refrigerator, a three bay sink, a hand wash sink, a hot water heater, a generator, a retractable awning, lights, work tables, serving tables, on board sound system.
Holy crap! It's reminiscent of the Big Green Pizza Truck, a 1946 International Harvester truck, which also has several amenities built in.
Anyway, here's Paulie Gee's shot of the restaurant-based oven (right), and here's what NJ.com has to say:
Nomad has a simple menu of six varieties of pizza at any given time. Some will vary from week to week, but Grim expects the popular Margherita, spicy sausage and pepperoni will be staples. On the Wednesday we were there, he also had shitake mushroom and a special pesto pizza made using basil from the restaurant garden. Two salads are the only other items on the brief menu.
The style of pizza, if you haven't guessed, is Neapolitan. The business partners running Nomad, Tom Grim and Stalin Bedon, are trying to use organic stuff wherever possible.
According to Paulie, it's some good stuff. And that's endorsement enough for me to add it to my to-try list. Especially if a trip out to Hopewell involves getting a closer look at that truck.
Nomad Pizza Co.
10 East Broad Street, Hopewell NJ 08525 (map)
609-466-6623; nomadpizzaco.com
It's actually more than just good stuff, it is most definitely the best pizza I have ever had in NJ. I had an excellent bufala margherita with deliciously tangy cheese and a crust that rivals Motorino and Keste. I also had their shitake mushroom pie and was very pleased with that one as well. The owners, pizzaiolos and other staff members were very gracious and spent time talking with me although the restaurant was busy. Stalin even took me outside in the stormy night to show me their amazing pizza truck. If that thing was operating in NYC, it would have easily run off with a Vendy last week. As much as I enjoyed the pies and the hospitality, the highlight of the evening for me was the stunning oven that dominated the converted garage setting. As good as it looks in the picture above, that beauty looks ten times better in person. It is an imposing, fire breathing jewel that I can't get off my mind. It was imported from Naples where it was constructed by the region's foremost craftsman. Please don't take my word for it, get in your car and and check out this hidden treasure in one of Jersey's quaintest countryside villages.
And BTW, although that pie in the picture above looks great, it was made on the truck and comes up a little short of the leopard spotted beauties that Stalin and his Naples trained pizzaiolos were pulling out of that gorgeous blue tiled caldron. I'd show you a picture, but my iPhone camera didn't do it justice.
I see a Slice field trip in the future.
Paulie and I discussed a visit to Nomad in early October.
It would be great to have other slicers join us.
Unfortunately, Hopewell is a bit off the beaten track. New Yorkers would have to train it to Princeton or take the bus to Lambertville.
I suppose a shuttle service can be arranged.
I believe they're closed on Sundays. How about Saturday night? I can join in then. And perhaps the truck is at a public event on that Sunday. And if not we cam always crash the party.
Gentlemen, Lillian and I would like to join you. Paulie, what Saturday night are we talking about? At this point, our only Jersey pizza experience is still DeLorenzo's in Trenton, and good as that was, we need to taste NOMAD and we'd love to do it with other Slicers.
Sorry...my best friend is getting married in LA that weekend. If we could do it one week later, I'm in. I could also be part of a carpool for those who take the bus to Lambertville, NJ (it's Transbridge Lines, from Port Authority).
I'd suggest a stop at Villa Ponte in Stockton, NJ or tomato pies in Trenton, as well.
I'm definitely in for the trip and would be happy to drive. Pizzamobile leaves from Hoboken so you would just need to take PATH and meet me at the station. Let me know who's in, I have 2-3 spots in the car.
Paulie Gee
Went to Nomad last night (not with the pizza patrol).. That was great! I'm part of the pizza patrol so I have had over 150 dif pizza places this summer.. For that type of pizza its the best. We had every pizza on the menu.. Love them all.
Have ton of photos if Adam will post I'll send them.
Hope one day I can try your pizza!!
@pizzalove I'm glad to hear that you thought enough of my recommendation to go check the place out. And I'm even more glad that you enjoyed it as much as you did. I think it's a great place. I hope The Slicemeister is kind enough to post your photos so that we all can see them, but if that turns out to be problematic, perhaps you can post them somewhere like flickr where we can check them out. And as far as trying my pizza, I promise you that you'll get the chance.
The great thing about Nomad is that I live in Somerset County.. I'm less them 30 mins away.!!I sent the pics and if you don't see them I'll get them on a link. enjoy your weekend!
Al
Made it to Nomad this evening; got there three minutes before 5, but the staff was welcoming and the late afternoon light streamed in, making the whole interior golden and accenting the beautiful blue of the oven tiles.
By a few minutes after 5, at least a third of the 50 or so seats had been taken, including many at the long communal table that takes up most of the center of the small room. The wind was brisk and only one diner opted to sit at an outside table during the time we were there... space is going to be a challenge as the pizza world beats a path to Nomad's door!
The herb garden and fountain visible from the windows are still vibrant and green and truly add to the feeling of being in a very special place.
The pizzas are nothing less than transcendent... being already familiar with Simply Grazin's excellent pork, I had the spicy sausage pie, in which the tomatoes, caramelized onions and meat married perfectly and in balance with the sublime crust.
No need to look to NY anymore, Jersey pizzaphiles!
I was there last night. Too bad my timing wasn't better. I must had just missed you, realhound. And Sorry I can't go back tonight. I did have the unexpected pleasure of running into Serious Eats contributor Tam and her entourage as those of you who follow Slice on Twitter already know. We are fast turning that place into a Slice slum. They might as well turn the keys over to us by the time we arrive there on the 17th. I think their success is testimony to the lack of quality pizza in Central New Jersey.
Ever try Deluca's pizza on first ave in Raritan? One of the best in the entire state. It is like Al Santillo's but better..
Hope to catch up with you soon..
Al
I'm not familiar with Deluca's. It's a very short drive from my house. If there wasn't so much traffic at the Somerville Circle I'd hit them up for a slice on the way home. I'll get there soon. I went looking for your Somerset County Pizza Patrol review to see what you said about the place, I couldn't find it. BTW, are you joining us on the 17th?
@pizzalove I'm about to try a cheese pie at Deluca's. Reminds me of Stan's Chitch's in Bound Brook or the old Coal burner in Perth Amboy, Sciorentino's. I'll tweet pie shot shortly. To check the place out I used the excuse that I wanted to go to Kohl's in Hillsborough to take advantage of the 30% off coupon I have. I gotta get a new tablecloth for the National Pizza Month tasting I'm having tomorrow with none other than Mr. 31 Days of Pizza himself Sean Taylor and the lovely Robin Rothman. With bonus attendance by scottspizzatour and surprise guest. This pie's takin' a long friggin' time.
I loved their bar style pies Al. I even took a frozen one home. And their old school atmosphere was very cool. It reminded me of Stan's Chitch's in Bound Brook. I wish I had checked the place out long ago. My favorite old time place is Spirito's in Elizabeth. The have very good bar pies, but I go there for their off the hook creamy home made ravioli. And I'm very glad Scott liked my pies. We had a great time. Keep an eye out for www.31daysofpizza.com Day 3 for further details.
That was the first and only pizza I had the first ten years of my life. I grew up a block from there and just moved back to the area last year. Just had a baby boy friday night and can't wait till he can eat pizza!! I work in Union and keep hearing about Spirito's.. I'll hit it up in the next week or two.. I'll let you know how it goes..
Ciao
Al
@realhound Perhaps it was because I couldn't take my eyes off those blonde beauties from Stan's. More likely though it was that there were only 6 places shown and I couldn't find a link to page two. And thanks for pointing out the misspelling. I spotted it after I posted, but since Slice doesn't have a comment editing feature I couldn't correct it. Perhap the next time they do an upgrade, they'll add it now that they've implimented their comment notification function. Is it my imagination or is that not happening?
@realhound Ah ha, I found that link now. I'm sorry I didn't check out that place long ago. I also noticed that Pizza and Pasta is number 8. When you asked me what my favorite pizza in the area was, I might have forgotten to mention them to you. In addition to very good pizza relative to the other options in Central Jersey, their fresh pasta dishes are very good. I haven't been there in quite a while, so I forgot. I don't know why I stopped going but it's time to go back. I was going there when they still were on Lincoln Blvd. in Middlesex. And the location in Manville has some serious sentimental value. When my son Michael was not much more than two, we visited the place, which is adjacent to the Central Jersey Airport. As we were heading in we saw a small plane taking off and I jokingly said to Michael "Do you want to go up in the plane?". Well, he was not taking no for an answer and spent most of the dinner under the table crying and demanding to go for a spin. It even continued when we went back out to the parking lot. I can still picture him pointing up and crying crying "Up in the plane. Up in the plane". Today Michael is an Air Force Academy graduate and scheduled to head to Del Rio Texas next year for pilot training. To this day I swear that the genesis of his strong desire to fly is rooted in that silly question I asked that evening.
@pauliegee LOL, Michael's aviation career began at Pizza and Pasta! Such a perfect combination of two prominent themes!
Wow, Anthony Mangieri visited Nomad too... a friend of mine who grew up in Hopewell a long long time ago keeps telling me what a hick town it used to be, and I assured her it's now quite the culinary mecca
About how often ARE you eating at Nomad, Paulie? I keep trying to get back down there -- enjoy Saturday, I may be visiting Spike Mendelson's burger place in DC
I just got my first comment notification. I am friggin' stoked. Speaking of Nomad. Is everyone set for Saturday 5pm? It's BYO, BTW. Anyone else want to join us? If it's good enough for Mangieri.....
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38 Comments:
It's actually more than just good stuff, it is most definitely the best pizza I have ever had in NJ. I had an excellent bufala margherita with deliciously tangy cheese and a crust that rivals Motorino and Keste. I also had their shitake mushroom pie and was very pleased with that one as well. The owners, pizzaiolos and other staff members were very gracious and spent time talking with me although the restaurant was busy. Stalin even took me outside in the stormy night to show me their amazing pizza truck. If that thing was operating in NYC, it would have easily run off with a Vendy last week. As much as I enjoyed the pies and the hospitality, the highlight of the evening for me was the stunning oven that dominated the converted garage setting. As good as it looks in the picture above, that beauty looks ten times better in person. It is an imposing, fire breathing jewel that I can't get off my mind. It was imported from Naples where it was constructed by the region's foremost craftsman. Please don't take my word for it, get in your car and and check out this hidden treasure in one of Jersey's quaintest countryside villages.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 6:21PM on 09/14/09
And BTW, although that pie in the picture above looks great, it was made on the truck and comes up a little short of the leopard spotted beauties that Stalin and his Naples trained pizzaiolos were pulling out of that gorgeous blue tiled caldron. I'd show you a picture, but my iPhone camera didn't do it justice.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 6:29PM on 09/14/09
On second thought, didn't come out so bad:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pauliegee/3920632295/
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 7:31PM on 09/14/09
I see a Slice field trip in the future.
Paulie and I discussed a visit to Nomad in early October.
It would be great to have other slicers join us.
Unfortunately, Hopewell is a bit off the beaten track. New Yorkers would have to train it to Princeton or take the bus to Lambertville.
I suppose a shuttle service can be arranged.
famdoc at 11:44AM on 09/15/09
Paulie, I can see why you're so stoked. A great lookin' pie.
Nick
Raoul Duke at 1:16PM on 09/15/09
Looks like a trip here is imminent. Hmmnn, Sunday mid afternoon on way home from Pieman's perhaps.
Pizzablogger at 5:41PM on 09/15/09
I believe they're closed on Sundays. How about Saturday night? I can join in then. And perhaps the truck is at a public event on that Sunday. And if not we cam always crash the party.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 9:41PM on 09/15/09
Gentlemen, Lillian and I would like to join you. Paulie, what Saturday night are we talking about? At this point, our only Jersey pizza experience is still DeLorenzo's in Trenton, and good as that was, we need to taste NOMAD and we'd love to do it with other Slicers.
So when are we goin?
passion4pizza at 11:07PM on 09/15/09
Looks like a great pie and your review was very insightful, Paulie. Makes me want to get in my car and secure some of that goodness right now.
Kismetized at 12:32AM on 09/16/09
@P4P We're talkin' Saturday night October 10th, but that's if Pblogger doesn't have other plans already. Pblogger?
@Kismetized. What are you waiting for?
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 6:43AM on 09/16/09
@Paulie: I could do Saturday, October 10. Does that work for others?
Adam Kuban at 10:43AM on 09/16/09
Now that you're on board I'm sure others will change there plans. Famdoc, you good? Pblogger? Brownie? P4P? Anybody else?
Ciao,
PG
pauliegee at 10:53AM on 09/16/09
Sorry...my best friend is getting married in LA that weekend. If we could do it one week later, I'm in. I could also be part of a carpool for those who take the bus to Lambertville, NJ (it's Transbridge Lines, from Port Authority).
I'd suggest a stop at Villa Ponte in Stockton, NJ or tomato pies in Trenton, as well.
famdoc at 11:33AM on 09/16/09
Great photos. Looking forward to eating it!
sean_taylor at 3:28AM on 09/18/09
I'm definitely in for the trip and would be happy to drive. Pizzamobile leaves from Hoboken so you would just need to take PATH and meet me at the station. Let me know who's in, I have 2-3 spots in the car.
ScottWiener at 8:33AM on 09/23/09
It is not clear on this post, but the adventure is now scheduled for 10/17. I'm sure the Slicemeister will post more details soon.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 9:10AM on 09/23/09
Paulie Gee
Went to Nomad last night (not with the pizza patrol).. That was great! I'm part of the pizza patrol so I have had over 150 dif pizza places this summer.. For that type of pizza its the best. We had every pizza on the menu.. Love them all.
Have ton of photos if Adam will post I'll send them.
Hope one day I can try your pizza!!
Al
pizzalove at 11:44AM on 09/24/09
@pizzalove I'm glad to hear that you thought enough of my recommendation to go check the place out. And I'm even more glad that you enjoyed it as much as you did. I think it's a great place. I hope The Slicemeister is kind enough to post your photos so that we all can see them, but if that turns out to be problematic, perhaps you can post them somewhere like flickr where we can check them out. And as far as trying my pizza, I promise you that you'll get the chance.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 12:42PM on 09/24/09
The great thing about Nomad is that I live in Somerset County.. I'm less them 30 mins away.!!I sent the pics and if you don't see them I'll get them on a link. enjoy your weekend!
Al
pizzalove at 11:47AM on 09/25/09
I know the feeling Al. I'm tempted to head there tonight. What town are you in, BTW?
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 12:31PM on 09/25/09
Made it to Nomad this evening; got there three minutes before 5, but the staff was welcoming and the late afternoon light streamed in, making the whole interior golden and accenting the beautiful blue of the oven tiles.
By a few minutes after 5, at least a third of the 50 or so seats had been taken, including many at the long communal table that takes up most of the center of the small room. The wind was brisk and only one diner opted to sit at an outside table during the time we were there... space is going to be a challenge as the pizza world beats a path to Nomad's door!
The herb garden and fountain visible from the windows are still vibrant and green and truly add to the feeling of being in a very special place.
The pizzas are nothing less than transcendent... being already familiar with Simply Grazin's excellent pork, I had the spicy sausage pie, in which the tomatoes, caramelized onions and meat married perfectly and in balance with the sublime crust.
No need to look to NY anymore, Jersey pizzaphiles!
realhound at 9:11PM on 09/30/09
Paulie Gee,
Sorry it took a few days.
I'm in Bridgewater. I'm making a return trip to nomad tonight.
pizzalove at 2:41PM on 10/01/09
I was there last night. Too bad my timing wasn't better. I must had just missed you, realhound. And Sorry I can't go back tonight. I did have the unexpected pleasure of running into Serious Eats contributor Tam and her entourage as those of you who follow Slice on Twitter already know. We are fast turning that place into a Slice slum. They might as well turn the keys over to us by the time we arrive there on the 17th. I think their success is testimony to the lack of quality pizza in Central New Jersey.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 3:37PM on 10/01/09
Ever try Deluca's pizza on first ave in Raritan? One of the best in the entire state. It is like Al Santillo's but better..
Hope to catch up with you soon..
Al
pizzalove at 3:50PM on 10/01/09
I'm not familiar with Deluca's. It's a very short drive from my house. If there wasn't so much traffic at the Somerville Circle I'd hit them up for a slice on the way home. I'll get there soon. I went looking for your Somerset County Pizza Patrol review to see what you said about the place, I couldn't find it. BTW, are you joining us on the 17th?
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 4:38PM on 10/01/09
@pizzalove Now I'm confused. You are not the same Al who was there last night are you?
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 4:42PM on 10/01/09
Not the Al from last night. At Nomad now. The place in raritan is no slice joint. Ask scott from scotts pizza tour about the pizza.
Talk to you soon
pizzalove at 5:33PM on 10/01/09
@pizzalove I'm about to try a cheese pie at Deluca's. Reminds me of Stan's Chitch's in Bound Brook or the old Coal burner in Perth Amboy, Sciorentino's. I'll tweet pie shot shortly. To check the place out I used the excuse that I wanted to go to Kohl's in Hillsborough to take advantage of the 30% off coupon I have. I gotta get a new tablecloth for the National Pizza Month tasting I'm having tomorrow with none other than Mr. 31 Days of Pizza himself Sean Taylor and the lovely Robin Rothman. With bonus attendance by scottspizzatour and surprise guest. This pie's takin' a long friggin' time.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 7:26PM on 10/02/09
Paulie Gee
well what did you think of that pizza? Scott told me you were making some great pies tonight!
al
pizzalove at 10:10PM on 10/03/09
I loved their bar style pies Al. I even took a frozen one home. And their old school atmosphere was very cool. It reminded me of Stan's Chitch's in Bound Brook. I wish I had checked the place out long ago. My favorite old time place is Spirito's in Elizabeth. The have very good bar pies, but I go there for their off the hook creamy home made ravioli. And I'm very glad Scott liked my pies. We had a great time. Keep an eye out for www.31daysofpizza.com Day 3 for further details.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 8:15AM on 10/04/09
That was the first and only pizza I had the first ten years of my life. I grew up a block from there and just moved back to the area last year. Just had a baby boy friday night and can't wait till he can eat pizza!! I work in Union and keep hearing about Spirito's.. I'll hit it up in the next week or two.. I'll let you know how it goes..
Ciao
Al
pizzalove at 10:01AM on 10/04/09
Congratulations Al. Are you bringing that bambino to Nomad on 10/17?
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 10:39AM on 10/04/09
You must have only read the story about yourself back in Feb., Paulie! :)
In the overall survey story, DeLucia's (not DeLuca's) was # 7 in the top ten
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20090203/LIFE09/902030348
realhound at 1:39AM on 10/06/09
Of course, if the stationary Nomad had been open at that time last year, it would have been #1, hands down.
realhound at 1:44AM on 10/06/09
@realhound Perhaps it was because I couldn't take my eyes off those blonde beauties from Stan's. More likely though it was that there were only 6 places shown and I couldn't find a link to page two. And thanks for pointing out the misspelling. I spotted it after I posted, but since Slice doesn't have a comment editing feature I couldn't correct it. Perhap the next time they do an upgrade, they'll add it now that they've implimented their comment notification function. Is it my imagination or is that not happening?
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 6:39AM on 10/06/09
@realhound Ah ha, I found that link now. I'm sorry I didn't check out that place long ago. I also noticed that Pizza and Pasta is number 8. When you asked me what my favorite pizza in the area was, I might have forgotten to mention them to you. In addition to very good pizza relative to the other options in Central Jersey, their fresh pasta dishes are very good. I haven't been there in quite a while, so I forgot. I don't know why I stopped going but it's time to go back. I was going there when they still were on Lincoln Blvd. in Middlesex. And the location in Manville has some serious sentimental value. When my son Michael was not much more than two, we visited the place, which is adjacent to the Central Jersey Airport. As we were heading in we saw a small plane taking off and I jokingly said to Michael "Do you want to go up in the plane?". Well, he was not taking no for an answer and spent most of the dinner under the table crying and demanding to go for a spin. It even continued when we went back out to the parking lot. I can still picture him pointing up and crying crying "Up in the plane. Up in the plane". Today Michael is an Air Force Academy graduate and scheduled to head to Del Rio Texas next year for pilot training. To this day I swear that the genesis of his strong desire to fly is rooted in that silly question I asked that evening.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 9:24AM on 10/06/09
@pauliegee LOL, Michael's aviation career began at Pizza and Pasta! Such a perfect combination of two prominent themes!
Wow, Anthony Mangieri visited Nomad too... a friend of mine who grew up in Hopewell a long long time ago keeps telling me what a hick town it used to be, and I assured her it's now quite the culinary mecca
About how often ARE you eating at Nomad, Paulie? I keep trying to get back down there -- enjoy Saturday, I may be visiting Spike Mendelson's burger place in DC
realhound at 12:17PM on 10/15/09
I just got my first comment notification. I am friggin' stoked. Speaking of Nomad. Is everyone set for Saturday 5pm? It's BYO, BTW. Anyone else want to join us? If it's good enough for Mangieri.....
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 12:34PM on 10/15/09