Roselle appeared on the map of New Jersey in the mid-19th century when the first houses were built as part of a planned community around a station belonging to the New Jersey Central Railroad. Although the station and the rail connection were convenient, the lack of public amenities in Roselle meant it wasn't an immediate success as a bedroom community for either Newark or New York and its development was slow. It took until well into the 1920s for the borough's population to reach any sort of substantial number. The price of housing and its availability in the bigger cities was at a premium in the 1950s so people began to look for cheaper alternatives. For some, Roselle was one of the places they decided would make a good new home. Among those that relocated there were several Italian families who, rather than continuing to commute for work, made the brave move into self-employment and opened up the first pizzerias in Roselle.

Roselle in New Jersey is known for traditional Italian pizza

While saying that Roselle is known for traditional Italian pizza is very true, what type of traditional Italian pizza the pizzerias in Roselle bake requires a little more explaining. The pizzerias in Roselle favor two specific types of pizza which are completely different from each other. One favorite is a thin crust pie called Neapolitan and the other a thick crust known as Sicilian-style. Neapolitan and Sicilian-style pizzas originate from different parts of Italy. Neapolitan pies come from the Naples area of the country and Sicilian-style pizzas from the island of Sicily. The variations between the two are mainly notable in the thickness and texture of the dough bases and, if made the original way, the lack of cheese on the Sicilian.

Best delivery pizza in Roselle, New Jersey

To get the best delivery pizza in Roselle you have to order from a pizzeria with an impeccable reputation for great pies and an even better delivery service. You'll find the Roselle pizzeria with that reputation is Mario's Famous Pizza. Mario's Famous Pizza, they're famous in Roselle rather than worldwide, is housed in a premises on Locust Street that externally has definitely seen better days. Inside the décor is rustic with bare brick walls and basic furnishings. Take a look at Mario's menu and you'll see the pizzas they bake are anything but basic and their house specials, gourmet pan-baked pies, are without a doubt a cut above the norm. One that stands out from the rest is the Chicken Fingers Pan Pizza which is topped with chicken fingers, honey mustard and french fries.

Best takeout pizza in Roselle, New Jersey

If the kids are screaming with hunger after being at Pump It Up in Roselle Park, you won't have far to go to get a take-out pizza to quieten them down. You can, in fact, get the best take-out pizza in Roselle five minutes away from where you are at Naples Pizza on East 2nd Street. Naples Pizza occupies one half of the ground floor of a brownstone that externally has a lot of Italian appeal with bushes in planters and a dark glass frontage. Inside is stylishly modern, rather than true trattoria style, with colorfully painted walls and a couple of flat screen TVs. The pizzas are true trattoria pies apart from the ones that have been given an update and are topped with Mexican fusion ingredients like chicken cooked in chipotle sauce.

Best pizza near Roselle, New Jersey

Millburn

You don't need to go any further than eight miles north of Roselle to Millburn to be able to enjoy some quality outdoor time. Make it magic for kids by taking them for a hike on the South Mountain Fairy Trail where they can wander through the woods and spot the fairy houses. It's fun even if you're an adult with no imagination. Bird lovers won't want to miss paying the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary a visit. The arboretum is acres of wonderland forest with trails where you can join in scavenger hunts, frog watches, bird watching and hot chocolate hikes. If the hot chocolate doesn't appease your appetite, try a pie from Fiamma Wood Fired Pizza on Main Street.

Morristown

Morristown is around twenty-three miles northwest of Roselle and while it's surrounded by some amazing natural spaces like the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, there's also lots of indoor activities too. Visit the MacCulloch Hall Historical Museum and you'll discover a mansion full of incredible artefacts and art works. Just as fascinating is the Fosterfields Living Historical Farm where life goes on as it did in the early 19th century. The Ford Mansion is a must-visit for fans of military history as is the Washington's Headquarters Museum. Finish the day with a pizza at the Morros Pizzeria on South Street and your stomach as well as your brain will be completely satiated.

Newark

Newark is a great place to go for the day where there are lots of family-oriented activities that will please both adults and kids. There'll be more than a spark of interest shown when you go browsing around the Thomas Edison National Historical Park and see how the genius inventor came up with the electricity we take so much for granted these days. The Newark Museum of Art will keep everyone interested as there are natural science exhibits there as well as collections of artwork. Make the most of the day by picking up a take-out pizza from Napoli Pizza on Chestnut Street and taking it to Branch Brook Park for a picnic by the lake.