Tomato Pies, Nashville Heat, and a Philly Legend: South Jersey Is Eating Well

There is a particular thrill that comes with a paper sign taped inside an empty storefront window — the one that reads “COMING SOON” in hopeful block letters. I have chased those signs across South Jersey my whole life, and let me tell you, 2026 has been a very good year to be hungry around here.

You already know one of them: Angelo’s Pizzeria, the iconic South Philly spot people cross city lines and wait in ridiculous lines for, is opening a full location in the former Di’Nic’s Roast Pork & Beef space in West Collingswood Heights — same menu, and finally, dine-in seating. We’ve covered that one. But it’s not the only sign in a window this summer, and the other two are worth clearing space on your calendar for.

Trenton-style tomato pie comes to Gloucester City

Lillo’s Tomato Pies has finally set an opening date for its new Gloucester City location after being in the works for more than a year. If you did not grow up on Trenton-style tomato pie, here is your education: the cheese goes down first, the crushed tomatoes go on top, and the whole thing is a lesson in why order matters. Lillo’s is known for its tomato pies and its cheesesteaks, and the fact that Gloucester City has waited over a year for this tells you something about how much this town wanted it. Good things, apparently, come to those who wait for the sauce.

Nashville heat plants a flag in Burlington

And for those of you who like a little pain with your pleasure — Asad’s Hot Chicken is opening its first New Jersey location at 240 Route 130 in Burlington. Asad’s is arguably Philadelphia’s best-known name for Nashville hot chicken, the kind of dish that makes you sweat, question your choices, and immediately order it again. Nashville hot done right is not a gimmick; it is a discipline, a careful build of cayenne heat and buttermilk crunch. Having a genuine standard-bearer plant its flag in Burlington County means we no longer have to trek into the city to chase that particular fire.

Not one of these is a chain formula parachuting in from nowhere. These are names with backstories, with a following, with people behind the counter who care whether you leave happy.Sophia Marino

That is the South Jersey food scene at its best: not fussy, not trend-chasing, just deeply committed to feeding you something worth the drive. I will be filing full, honest visits as each of these opens its doors — the good, the great, and the “maybe skip the extra hot next time.” Until then, keep an eye on the storefront windows. That taped-up paper sign is the most exciting thing in town.

Based on reporting from Patch, AOL/USA Today Network, and South Jersey Food Scene.