Home Of New Jersey’s ‘Largest Pizza Slices’ Turns 50 In Hoboken

HOBOKEN, NJ — One of North Jersey’s landmark pizzerias recently celebrated its 50th anniversary: Benny Tudinos in Hoboken.

For a half-century, the Hudson County restaurant and local institution has been serving what it calls “the biggest slices” in New Jersey. They’ve earned their bragging rights, being featured on numerous news stories and social media videos over the past years (see below), and serving up monster slices to high-profile names such as former Vice President Joe Biden and ex-senator Frank Lautenberg. To many locals, taking on the Benny Tudinos Giant Pizza Challenge has become a rite of passage.

On Sunday, the restaurant, which experienced the passing of its namesake and founder, Bahri Drishti, in 2015, celebrated its 50-year milestone in style with a community celebration that included giveaways, entertainment and – of course – the humongous slices of pizza that it’s become known for.

In a social media post, the restaurant’s owners wrote that they were thankful for their level of success in a day and age where commercial business establishments such as Pizza Hut, Domino's and Papa John's have become household names.

“Everything here has been family-owned and operated since my mom (Sophia Zylfije Drishti) and Dad (Benny, Bahri Drishti) called Hoboken home since 1968.”

Stopping at Sunday’s celebration, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla offered the local landmark a hearty congratulations and gave a well-deserved nod to its late founder.

“A big Hoboken congrats to the 50th anniversary of Benny Tudinos, home of America's biggest slice, a Hoboken institution and an immigrant success story,” Bhalla said. “We miss you Benny!”

The Hoboken Police Superior Officers Association (PSOA) also offered the restaurant a social media congratulations. “Here’s to 50 more years as a Hoboken mainstay,” the PSOA wrote.

For those seeking to appreciate the depth of the community’s attachment to Benny Tudinos, Drishti’s obituary in 2015 may provide some clues:

“Born in Shkoder, Albania, ‘Benny’ came to settle here in Hoboken in 1968. The numerous awards he has received over the years regarding his pizza and the many celebrities that have passed through his establishment made him a proud man with regards to his business… He always looked to feed the homeless as he thought no one should ever go hungry through this world. He was proud of his heritage, and accomplishments he has made in his life with the help of his wife whom both came from Albania knowing little English but eventually followed the American Dream and became a foundation of his community. He would often say how many people at one time or another worked in the pizzeria and he would pay them with free pizza.”

• See related article: Hoboken Obitutary: Bahri 'Benny' Drishti

"How I miss your pizza and restaurant," one former resident wrote on social media. "I live in Florida now, but I was born and raised in Hoboken. I grew up eating your delicious pizza and Italian meals. I would go there for lunch when I was going to Demarest Jr. High, and then Hoboken High School! My family would always order your pizza for delivery every Friday! Now that I'm a mom with 2 sons, I was so happy to visit and take my boys there too! No one beats your pizza slices! Definitely not any place here in Orlando, FL. I love that I can visit my hometown, and my favorite childhood pizzeria is ALWAYS THERE on Washington St. God bless you and your family always."

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Photo: Ravi Bhalla, Mayor of Hoboken