Zoni's Brooklyn Brick Coal Oven Pizzeria opens location Shore

Zoni's Brooklyn Brick Coal Oven Pizzeria is opening a new location.

Since 2019, Robert Tarzia's shop in Middletown has been known for its authentic margherita pies. By the end of July, Tarzia hopes to re-open the doors of The Coal House, an Italian restaurant in Sea Girt, as his own.

It was an unexpected surprise.

"You wanna hear a funny story?" Tarzia said. "I went to look at a coffee machine, and the guy sold me the place."

During the visit to check out the machine, he realized the pizzeria has the same traditional style oven as his.

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After a quick conversation with owner Anthony Abdy, he decided he had to have it.

"The oven is there, that's a big plus ...," Tarzia said, "and the place is beautiful. If I was looking for a spot to put this place, this would be the spot I would do it."

The style of oven is a traditional baker's oven that takes about 45 minutes to reach 1,000 degrees, with coals that need to be stoked once a day.

The result? A crisp crust, reminiscent of a fresh baked loaf of bread.

Tarzia said the new restaurant is double the size of his Middletown store, and it offers outdoor dining on the patio.

Tarzia's margherita took first place in the Jersey Shore Pizza War on April 8 before the rules were amended and Zoni's was awarded Best Margherita pizza.

"We are very excited for this location and we cannot wait to bring our pizza to the Sea Girt/Wall area," Tarzia said. "We're bringing the same great pizza."

Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA Today Network New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to [email protected]. Follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.