I Love You, Vic’s

When I turned 10 years old I had my birthday party at Vic’s in Bradley Beach, NJ. My Mom and Dad, my brother DJ, Don Nies, John Garrecht, Pat Roddy, George Parker, and Mike Scarnato were all there, downing pitchers of coke and lots of Vic’s famous thin-crust pizzas. There was much goofing around and busting on each other, the usual nonsense. It was a ton of fun. I got Neil Young’s “Rust Never Sleeps” as a gift (thanks, John!). The little party, the record, and the restaurant are all etched in my mind as a true “happy place” memory that I think about almost every time I enter Vic’s, which is still quite often.

I’ve been going to Vic’s regularly ever since. It’s my favorite pizza place and favorite restaurant. Yes, I am not a fancy lad but I am a lad (well, a very old lad) who knows good pizza.

Vic’s is a welcomed throwback: a cozy wood-paneled interior, a mix of inviting booths and old-school tables, with the aroma of their amazing sauce filling both large rooms. It’s intoxicating. The servers are friendly and super efficient but have little time to chat (they are very busy) and many have been there for a long time which gives a very comforting feeling when you settle in for your meal. There’s a subtle and finely-tuned hustle and bustle to the place that always puts me at ease. I enjoy watching the well-managed dance of the staff and seeing the happy families and regulars enjoy some good food. Speaking of, you get your food quickly, but you never feel rushed. The vibe is good.

Besides the ambiance and consistently tasty food, I look forward to a Vic’s trip because I see old friends there quite often. Pat and Kerrin are regulars, their daughters work there when home from college. I just saw my buddy Bob Carroll and his extended family there on a random Wednesday night in the summer. I love Bob, it was so nice to see him and Vic’s was the perfect setting to hang out and chat for a nice long while.

I love going there with our family and friends, so many orders of their delicious Tossed Salad with Salami & Provolone (one sans meat for us vegetarians), fried cheese ravioli (“mini ravs”), mozzarella sticks, and garlic bread being passed around while Uncle Frank bravely puts up with all of us. Cousins Kath and Bridget, mozzarella stick experts, will attest, they have the best ones around. We usually go with plain pies, but when cousin Dave is there, we get one with green peppers and onions. A nice addition to the usual order.

When we took my in-laws, Nan and Jack, there for the first time I was so excited by how much they liked it (spaghetti and meatballs and chicken parm, if I recall correctly). If they did not, after years of me talking it up, I would have been crushed. Thank you, Vic’s.

When DJ and I were kids, my awesome Aunt Judy and Uncle Nick took us and their nieces, Anne and Sarah, to Vic’s after a Broadway show (“Pirates of Penzance,” I believe). DJ was insistent on ordering their famous Chopped Antipasto salad, when it arrived, he ate very little. When Uncle Nick asked why, DJ said, “Oh, I just like saying it, I don’t really eat it.” A shame, because the sharp provolone in their salads is a top-tier cheese. I can’t find a similar cheese as good anywhere, and I’ve tried.

Some of my fondest memories of Vic’s were having dinner with just my wife Kelly (pre-kids) and my Mom before she passed. Patty loved Vic’s and introduced us to the joy of the half-carafe of house Chardonnay, a drink Kelly and I always get in her honor.

We live in Philly now but spend a lot of time in Belmar, and a Vic’s trip is always a crucial part of the itinerary. Thankfully my kids love it too: pasta with butter for one, mini fried ravs as an entree for the other? Sure why not? Two large pies (with enough to take home and heat up later), birch beers all around, what’s not to like? Top it off after dinner with a lovely drive along Ocean Ave back to Belmar, my girls making fun of me along the way, maybe some Strollo’s later. Perfection.

Here are some more Vic’s pizza pics I’ve taken over the last couple of years. If you are in Central Jersey, go to 60 Main Street, Bradley Beach. Treat Yo’ Self. Maybe I’ll see you there!