For any pizza lovers undecided on the best slice in Jersey City, Carmine’s Pizza Factory is making its case. The downtown staple recently won two competitions - including one in the very heartland of the slice. Carmine’s placed first in the North America Caputo Cup — a premier pizza-making competition that was held in Atlantic City at the end of September. Nine days prior, it earned second place in the World Championship of Pizza Makers’ American Division held in Naples, Italy.

“I feel that in order to really see how good you are, you need to compete against other pizza-makers that are just as passionate about their craft,” said Carmine Testa, who runs the family-owned pizzeria with his sister, Mary. “I have placed top 10 a few times, but when you win a competition like this it validates the last 30 years of your life’s work.”