Walk down Washington Street on a Friday night and you’ll see it. It’s the "Hoboken lean." Dozens of people hunched over paper plates, trying to navigate a piece of pizza that is, quite literally, the size of a human newborn.
Benny Tudino’s Hoboken isn’t just a pizzeria. It is a local rite of passage that has survived urban renewal, the gentrification of the 90s, and a global pandemic without changing a single thing about its wood-paneled, old-school vibe. If you’re looking for a artisanal, truffle-oil-drizzled, wood-fired personal pie, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want a slice that requires two plates and a serious strategy? This is the spot.
The Myth of the Giant Slice
People think the 32-inch pie is just a gimmick. It’s not. Well, okay, maybe a little bit. But the reality is that the late Bahri "Benny" Drishti, who took over the spot in 1968, built an empire on the idea that no one should ever leave his restaurant hungry.
Benny was an Albanian immigrant who escaped a communist dictatorship in 1964. He started as a busboy at Mama Leone’s in New York, watching the chefs like a hawk to learn the trade. When he bought the place (originally just "Tudino’s") in 1968, he added his name and his philosophy. He famously fed the homeless for free and would sing to customers while cutting slices in half for kids to share.
The pizza itself is a beast. We are talking about a 32-inch diameter house pie. A single slice is roughly 15 to 16 inches long. To put that in perspective, a standard large pizza at most shops is 16 inches across the whole thing. Here, that's just the length of your lunch.
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Why it actually works
Honestly, huge pizza usually tastes like cardboard. You’ve probably had those jumbo slices in DC or NYC that are dry and sad. Benny’s is different because they don't skimp on the fat content.
- The Cheese: It’s heavy. If you lift the slice too fast, the cheese will slide off in one massive, molten sheet.
- The Crust: It’s thin but remarkably sturdy. You have to do the "New Jersey Fold"—not the gentle NYC fold, but a structural reinforcement fold—to keep it from flopping.
- The Sauce: It’s on the sweeter side, which balances out the saltiness of the massive amount of mozzarella they use.
The Celebrity Wall and the Biden Visit
You can’t talk about Benny Tudino’s Hoboken without mentioning the decor. It’s a time capsule. The walls are covered in photos of celebrities, local cops, and babies.
Yes, babies.
The "Baby for Scale" photo is the unofficial currency of Benny’s. Parents have been posing their infants next to slices for decades to prove the pizza is bigger than the child. It’s a bit weird, but in Hoboken, it’s tradition.
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The most famous visitor? Joe Biden. Back when he was Vice President, his motorcade reportedly stopped on Washington Street just so then-Senator Frank Lautenberg could show him the legendary slice. There’s a pride in that story that you can still feel when you walk in. The Drishti family—Benny’s sons, Edmond and Arbend (who are also Hoboken police officers)—keep that legacy alive.
What to Order (And What to Skip)
If it’s your first time, you’re getting the plain slice. It’s currently around $5.00 to $6.00, which is a steal considering it’s basically two meals.
But here is the insider tip: don't sleep on the Italian dinners. While the world knows them for the "Home of the Largest Slice," their kitchen cranks out some surprisingly legit old-school comfort food.
- Chicken Parmigiana: It’s exactly what you want it to be. Huge portion, plenty of sauce, and bread that’s fresh.
- The Calzones: These are massive. If you order a pepperoni calzone, be prepared for a food coma.
- The "House Pie": If you are ordering this for a party, make sure your car is big enough. A 32-inch box does not fit in the trunk of a Honda Civic. It’s a back-seat-only situation.
The Reality Check: Delivery can be hit or miss. Because the slices are so large, they tend to "steam" in the box. If you live more than 10 blocks away, that crispy crust might turn a bit soggy by the time it hits your door. Honestly? Just walk there. The experience of sitting in those old booths is half the fun.
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Addressing the "Quantity vs. Quality" Debate
Is it the best pizza in Hoboken? That’s a dangerous question to ask in a town with spots like Tenth Street, Napoli’s, and Razza (just across the border).
If you want a charred, leopard-spotted Neapolitan crust, Benny’s will disappoint you. It’s "street pizza" perfected and upsized. It’s greasy. It’s salty. It’s glorious. Critics sometimes say it’s too doughy or that they run light on the sauce, but those people are usually looking for a culinary experience. Benny’s isn't a culinary experience; it’s a landmark.
Survival Tips for the Benny’s Experience
- Cash is King: While they’ve modernized a bit, it’s always safer to have cash in your pocket in these old Hoboken staples.
- Napkin Math: Take five times the amount of napkins you think you need. You will use them all.
- The Reheat: If you take leftovers home (and you will), do not use the microwave. The only way to save a Benny’s slice is a cast-iron skillet or a 400°F oven for five minutes.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're planning a visit, avoid the peak school-lunch rush when local students swarm the counter. Aim for a late weekday afternoon or a weeknight dinner.
- Check the Menu: Prices have fluctuated with inflation (that $3 slice from the 2010s is a memory), so check their official site for the latest "House Pie" pricing if you're feeding a crowd.
- Plan the Transport: If you're picking up a 32-inch pie, measure your trunk. Seriously. It’s nearly three feet wide.
- Take the Photo: Do the "arm-length" photo. It’s the only way people back home will believe how big the slice actually is.
Benny Tudino’s Hoboken remains one of the few places where the "American Dream" story is baked right into the crust. It’s a piece of history that happens to be covered in melted cheese.