Pizza tastes good. Chicago style deep dish pizza tastes better. After the successful debut of a Pizzeria Uno Chicago Grill in Secaucus a few years ago, Paul Rankin decided to expand his market reach with a new location in downtown Jersey City.
What Rankin has discovered is that what worked in Secaucus, is working very well in Jersey City. Since opening the popular pizza/steakhouse restaurant last October, Rankin has developed a regular dinner clientele and his business lunch crowd is growing. What makes Jersey City’s Pizzeria Uno unique is its location and quality service. Located on the corner of Washington and Montgomery streets, it has become "a gateway for the waterfront," said Rankin.
The restaurant is on the second floor of the Plaza 4A building at Harborside Financial Center. With free parking and two dozens photographs on the walls of old Jersey City, Uno caters to its area residents. The full menu is available until 1 a.m. on the weekends and midnight during the week.
"Our place is convenient for families, and we provide a comfortable atmosphere with great food," Rankin said.
Executive chef Johnny Rodriguez specializes in deep dish pizzas (ranging from $7-$11) like chicken fajita (marinated chicken breast with salsa, peppers, onions and a blend of cheeses); prima pepperoni (premium pepperoni with mozzarella and chunky tomatoes); Numero Uno (mozzarella, chunky tomatoes, sausage, pepperoni, and mushrooms); and Spinoccoli (fresh spinach and broccoli, a delicious blend of cheeses, and a touch of garlic). Rodriguez also prepares excellent steaks like the 10-ounce top sirloin, a fully-trimmed tender sirloin steak with spices, and the popular grilled shrimp and sirloin, a skewer of six char-grilled marinated shrimps with an 8-ounce petite sirloin.
"We are going to surprise a lot of people with our happy hours and food quality," Rankin said.
Patrons may eat in the large dining room or at the cozy bar area. Several televisions fill the room, and with a picture-perfect view of the downtown, Uno’s bar is one of the best spots to enjoy the game with friends.
Pizza, pizza
I began my meal with a pint of domestic draft beer. Uno offers a wine selection as an alternative. For an appetizer I enjoyed the pizza skins and the Chicago sampler. The skins were deep dish pizza crusts with mashed potatoes covered with cheddar and bacon and sour cream on the side. It was filling and well-portioned. The sampler consisted of buffalo wings, cheese sticks, chicken fingers, fries and onion petals. It was enough for four people, and a good way to start the Uno experience. The appetizers are moderately priced from $5-$11. In addition to the sampler and skins, Uno offers buffalo chicken quesadillas, nachos, garlic bread, buffalo wings, cheese sticks and onion rings.
For the main course, I enjoyed the chef’s choice deep dish pizza. This make-it-your-own pizza came with cheese and tomato and the choice of three toppings. I chose sausage, roasted red peppers, and black olives. The pizza was well-presented and enough for a couple. The sauce was tangy and thick.
I also tried the sirloin tips, another entree. The generous portions of tender and juicy sirloin were served with sautéed onions. I ordered them medium-well, and it was a little bigger than an appetizer and very filling. Entrees at Uno range from $11-$19.
For dessert I tried a little bit of the Chicago cheesecake with strawberries and fudge. Not too creamy, the dessert was very sweet. Other desserts include the intimidating brownie bowl, strawberry shortcake, Oreo cheesecake, and chocolate peanut butter cup.
Uno offers a children’s menu and a variety of sandwiches.
Harborside Financial Center’s Pizzeria Uno Chicago Grill is located at 286 Washington St., Plaza 4A in Jersey City. For information call (201) 395-9500 or visit www.pizzeriauno.com. q