(Last visited 4/26/2022.) Working at my company's headquarters for a couple of weeks and a co-worker of mine mentioned that this place has AMAZING pizza and some good wings. So... I came here for lunch... then again a few days later! Lol. Atmosphere/Appearance: Located in what I thought was Excelsior, is actually Tonka Bay right off of some water is this gem. It's in a plaza with a few other businesses and a part of a private parking lot. The inside isn't too crazy. You walk in and you are greeted by grand smells of pizza cooking in their huge steel ovens! The menu is overhead and the dining area is to the left. I remember a lot of exposed wood, plastic benches and just a classic looking pizza joint. Service: I can't remember the young lady's name, but Sydney or Candace come to mind. Lol. Whoever it was that took care of us was friendly and made sure we had everything we needed. However, all you do is just place your order at the counter, take the number they give you and go sit down then wait for you food to be brought out to you. Drinks are self-serve as well. Food: Throughout my visits I've had the chance to check out 3 of their wing flavors and a couple of toppings on their pizzas. The wow factor here is about big the slices are. They literally don't even fit onto a single plate. The edges hang over rim of the plate. Lol. So for lunch you can order the pizza + salad combo and it totally fills you up. The wings are also enormous and quite delicious I might add! I'd definitely get them again. Cajun and the Buffalo were my favorite, but the BBQ wasn't too bad either. Value: A single order of wings will give you 6 and it'll cost you $10.00. Double your order for $16.50. Like I mentioned, they wings are huge so I think this is a pretty good value. Any time a day you can get a cheese slice + salad + drink for only $12.50. Toppings will cost extra of course. In conclusion, I loved this place. However, coming for lunch and eating heavy makes for a slow rest of the work day. Lol. I ain't trippin' though, sometimes that's what's necessary! read more

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Where the pizza slices are bigger than your head and the whole pie is bigger than your stomach.

A clean though I found somewhat cramped space with a not displeasing, straightforward utilitarian design. I thought the atmosphere was redolent of great Italian aromas. Serves very good pizza, tasty sandwiches with spicy chips and flavorful, generous pasta with a slice of garlic toast.. I had a large bowl of spicy chicken fettuccine with a slice of garlic toast hanging off to one side. I found the dish to be full of flavor (and to be fair probably calories as well). I devoured the toast but took home enough leftover chicken and pasta to make a nice meal for later consumption. If dining in one orders at the counter, is issued a number stand and grabs a table or booth. Orders when ready (relatively quickly) were promptly brought out by cheerful servers. Fountain drinks, silverware, plates and paper napkins can be found at a separate stations along the wall opposite the order counter (in the midst of the dine-in portion). Ate here with my son who works nearby (shout out to Wilkes Auto) and two old friends from my college days. All left with satisfied looks on their collective faces. Based upon the number of people milling around awaiting their respective orders as well as the steady stream of customers in and out of the main entrance (on a weekday evening no less) Joey Nova's appears to do a brisk take out business. read more

Having just moved into the neighborhood it was a surprise for me when we found Joey Nova's. Coming from St Paul where Cossettas pizza reigns, I was not expecting much. I actually still head back to St Paul for a slice. However, we ordered a veggie pizza extra crispy. Wow....was not expecting a gourmet slice with artichoke hearts, Greek olives and caramelized onions. So glad we gave it a try. Since we Moved into the area about 8 months ago, we are repeat customers for the veggie slice......go and enjoy! Order it extra crispy you will thank me..... read more

Spent a beautiful day walking around Wayzata Bay. Popping into several cool small businesses and enjoying a glass of vino or two. On the drive home, decided a slice of good East Coast style pizza would make for a near perfect day. Order Joey Nova's online and was told my "slice" would be ready in 20 minutes. I arrived on time and went to the register. Slice was boxed and ready to go. The aroma was so good that there was no way this slice would make it all the way home. I dove into the slice in the car and devoured it. The slice...without exaggerating, was HUGE. Easily the equivalent of 2 or 3 slices of other establishments. And it ate as good as it looked. When in the Tonka Bay area, do not hesitate to treat yourself to a great slice of pizza. read more

Joey Nova's Pizzeria - GIANT slice of pepperoni - Pizza Near Me - Excelsior, Minnesota

Mom and my brother eat here a lot. I joined them and had a lovely time. I had the mediterranean salad with the focaccia like pizza and they split a large red, white and blue pizza. The service was fantastic as was the food. Seating inside is very loud but the outside seating is directly in the sun so mom had to deal with the noise as she will not deal with the sun. Wish it was quieter for those who wear hearing aids. read more

This is classic New York City style pizza. Fold over crust (called traditional, you can order crispy or gluten free) pizzas served with a nice layer of flavorful tomato sauce and generous pepperoni and sausage toppings if ordered. Olive oil available and red pepper flakes at the table. This is a causual spot with comfortable booths and lots of tables not pretentious and the music is country! Counter service. This is a quality pizzeria. This is very good pizza. read more

I was looking for a delicious piece of New York style pizza and found this place!! This place is located in a strip mall with plenty of free parking! When you walk up, you'll notice there is some covered outdoor seating. Walking in, definitely has old school New York vibes to it! Everything was clean but this is a no frills kinda joint. The service here was great! The woman who took my order was very nice and patient as I tried to decide what to try!! I got 2 New York style pieces of pizza and let me tell you, those are awesome! They are HUGE and definitely had the "may be I should dab this with a napkin first" kind of situation going on haha SOOOO good!! The shakes were made well and came with a separate tin to get another 2-3 shakes out of it! Their original Hawaiian was good but nothing to write home about. I'd stick with the New York slices! I did get the Buffalo wings and found their sauce to be sweet? Not your typical fiery sauce. They also don't have house made ranch. Overall, this was a delicious spot to stop! Definitely grab yourself a New York slice and a shake!! read more

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I have been going to Joey Novas for years and I have never had anything but a positive experience. Their pizza by the slice is such a great deal especially when you have younger kids with you. Additionally, their run it thru da garden veggie pizza is one of my favorite pizzas of all time. They go above and beyond any other veggie pizza I've ever had and I crave it weekly. The place is always bustling and busy but such a fun atmosphere and the workers are always so kind. Definetly give it a try! read more

Crazy busy Friday night but found a table! Pretty loud but the booths cut out a lot of the noise. Food was fast and delicious-as always! Finished our pizza before we could capture the photo. Wings were a double order and were juicy. Buffalo sauce is pretty mild and a little sweet. Caesar salad was good and not overly dressed. The group loved the marinara pasta too! read more

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Not good pizza. Salad is sub par at best. Lacks flavor and the pizza crust was the worst I've ever had

Went for a slice of victory pizza after a soccer tournament and had a great time. Seating was a little limited, but overall the food was great. read more

Picked up lunch yesterday. I don't live in the west burbs so how was I to know this would be such a busy little place? However, that tends to be a solid sign! When I arrived the gal was taking a phone order, all while another phone was continually ringing. After maybe 10 minutes I placed my order for a hot chicken sandwich, sans tomato to go. I didn't upgrade to a different side from their standard kettle chips. Great choice, I didn't know they were barbecue kettle chips.... they were delicious!! Surprise, there was also a pickle spear in my meal!! A little treat I didn't know I wanted! Despite not ordering any sauce, the chicken sandwich was delicious and just the right filling size for lunch. Everything about my visit was spot on.... the easy parking, the quick & friendly service, the quality of food and speed of service. Looking forward to stopping in again when I'm in the area, likely opting for a pizza. I liked that they had their array of beverage options displayed on the counter; from pop, sparkling waters to craft beers. Helpful tip....w my comment about the phone ringing, I heard the man ordering after me tell her "we've been calling for 15 minutes and" so I don't know if yesterday was some one-off day (busier than usual) or that's just how busy they are at 11:30 after opening at 11, but I'm not sure what the wait would be for your meal choice, but if you can't get through on the phone and have the time to wait, head down and order in person, it's worth it. Thanks for a delicious lunch Joey Nova's that worked perfectly for on the go. read more

Joey Nova's Pizzeria - wrapped sandwich w....bbq kettle chips & a pickle spear - Pizza Near Me - Excelsior, Minnesota

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Based on some Yelp reviews we thought we have to give this place a try. We weren't disappointed. Pizza was great. We also got the Tortilla Soup which was also great. I would have ranked as a 5 star review but the service is the only down fall. Still okay... You have to order everything before hand at the register. They bring it out to your table and than you're on your own. We sat at the bar and if you wanted to order another drink you had to go to the register to get one. Not a big deal but enough of a pain that we just didn't because of the line. Also you had try to flag someone down if you wanted a Togo box. read more

Joey Nova's Pizzeria - 1/2 Sausage and 1/2 Pepperoni Pizza - Pizza Near Me - Excelsior, Minnesota

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I grew up in New York, but have lived in Minneapolis for over 40 years. You'll need to trust me that I love Minnesota, the Midwest, and I am NOT a NY snob. However, I DO take pizza very, very seriously. When I first moved here, the pizza (mostly Dominos and Pizza Hut) were on par with Jack's frozen pizza, which is my way of saying they tasted like crap. Over the years, pizza has vastly improved in the Twin Cities, and I've come to respect, and even like, good Minneapolis Pizza such as Black Sheep and Galactic Pizza. But they aren't the same as NY Pizza. However, there are now TWO places that offer fantastic NY-style pizza. The kind of pizza that I don't feel is compromised or needs to be spotted points because it's in the Midwest. The first is El Mar Pizza in Plymouth (see separate review) and the other is Joey Nova's Pizza in Excelsior (which ironically is New York State's Motto -- no not "pizza," but "Excelsior"). Everything about this pizza is great: the size (my photo doesn't do it justice), the sauce, the cheese, the crust. It's nothing short of perfect. Old New Yorkers like me don't add toppings, but there are the usual toppings you can add for 85 cents each; I won't judge. Joey Nova's has a large menu, but if I'm going to drive to Excelsior, how can I not have their pizza? So although the non-Pizza offerings looks tasty, I have no idea what they taste like. Also, the restaurant uses real plates, metal silverware, and glasses (albeit plastic) instead of paper and plastic plates/cups. That's pretty rare for this type of restaurant, but nice. The people at the counter are friendly (order and pay at the counter, but they bring it to your table) and the prices are very, very reasonable. A HUGE slice of NY Cheese Pizza is $5.75, which is a heck of a deal. Unless you live in eastern Wisconsin, it's worth the drive. read more

Joey Nova's Pizzeria - Cheese Pizza - Authentic New York style - Pizza Near Me - Excelsior, Minnesota

The BEST pizza!!! During Covid we drove an hour to get a pizza. Any time we are in Minnesota- this is a for sure spot for a pizza!!

I have been enjoying Joey nova pizza for several years. Saturday I went with 4 & 6 year old nephews. We have all enjoyed the pizza in the past. 4 year old wouldn't eat it and 6 year old ate one slice. My margarita had a tomato base. Ick! Crust was not crispy and it had no flavor. My Greek salad was great as usual. The boys had sausage, so I ordered 1/2 margarita, half sausage. We did not enjoy the pizza and it was not inexpensive. What's happened to JN pizza?? read more

Best pizza I've ever had hands down! We got the deluxe and classic cheese, so good. We definitely will be back!

Listen who doesn't love a good meatball but a good meatball should have a nice flavor and be warm. This did not have either of these characteristics. They kind of taste like they were frozen and warmed under a conveyor belt. read more

Joey Nova's Pizzeria - Hot Meatball - Pizza Near Me - Excelsior, Minnesota

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Another soccer tournament. Another reason to go try some place new for lunch. Today's lucky restaurant is Joey Nova's. Though not a large restaurant, offering indoor seating for maybe 30 people, the layout is nice and simple. The pizza sizes though are crazy. 13, 16, 19, and the by the slice pizza comes from a 23" pie. Wow!! It didn't take long for the pizzas to come out, and they were put on one of those elevated racks to give us space. I liked the pizza, but it didn't wow me. I'd come try it again though. read more

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I love this old school joint hidden in a strip mall just outside of Excelsior. Totally unlike its neighbors. Old school pizza, pasta, sandwiches, with local craft beer and wines by the glass or bottle. I had a large pizza, it was delicious, and I could only finish half of it myself. But - a to go box made for a delicious lunch the next day. The servers are of the younger generation and are very quick and friendly. The owner was onsite when I was there. There is no table service so order, pay, sit with a number, and they bring your order out. Gets crowded with families after 6, no reservations. read more

I'm from New York, so I know..... I'm from Chicago, so I know.... I'm from Napoli, so I know.... Ok, maybe the last one has a point. Otherwise, piss off. I don't care where you're from. The only people allowed to judge these things are people who have spent their entire existence cultivating, honing, and seeking out the almighty pizza. Tasting and titillating through all pizzas. Big and small. Thick and thin. Square and pie. Greasy, salty, cheesy, saucey, spicy, oh my. And that's me. All 6 foot 3, 260 lbs. (wink, wink). An AYCE servers nightmare. Which brings us to my friend Joey. Joey Nova. Let's get the extra large so we can take some home. 19 inches. Uh huh. Yes, take some home. We all know that's not happening. Especially with this delicious bastard of a pizza. Thin as can be and I kinda love it. It just means all that flavor has to be packed into a smaller area. And fuck me is it ever. Greasy for sure. Tasty for damn sure. And spot on beautiful for goddamn sure. I'm a huge fan. It's good goddamn pizza. I mean, I'm from Minnesota, so I should know. read more

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We normally love Joey Novas. Tonight we got a couple of slices. The sausage was ok. The white slice was so burnt that it was inedible. It was at the end of the night but still expect something edible for the money. Unfortunately I will have to think twice before we go back. read more

Been coming here for years can't believe I haven't wrote a review!! We love joeys, great east coast pizza. The pasta and sandwiches are good too but we stick to the pizza. My little one loves the cheese slice... it's huge. Ingredients are yummy and fresh. Also. Joey novas is really involved in the community, giving to many local places. It gets very very busy, best to order early and pick up versus delivery! read more

Love the giant pizzas! Great value and fun atmosphere. Definitely a favorite place when in town! Friendly counter service always appreciated. Will be back! read more

This is my favorite NY style pizza place outside of NYC. The pizza is killer, the service is at the counter and they bring the food to the table. Do yourself a favor and try the pineapple milkshake! It's just a fun family style Italian restaurant. read more

Being NJ transplants, we get particularly depressed by the state of pizza in MN, but Joey's has real deal NY style pizza! Pizza by the slice, slices are huge, crust is thin and chewy, slices flop when picked up; it's all spot on! We also had the Buffalo Spiced Wings on one visit. They're described as "classic" but they're not and that's a really good thing. They come unsauced with an awesome spice rub and the buffalo sauce on the side for dipping. The sauce was incredible; unlike any buffalo sauce we've had before. Wish they sold it in bottles! Staff is great, beer selection is good, and they have wine too. We'll be back again and again despite the nearly hour drive. read more

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Seriously best pizza ever. New York style with a sauce that I have never experienced before.

Having grown up in NYC I'm spoiled as far as certain foods are concerned especially pizza. Well thanks to the review of another former New Yorker we tried Joey Novas. For me the ultimate test taste wise is a pepperoni pie. Well! Having lived in Minnesota now for 3 years I am STILL a food prude and well Joey Novas did NOT disappoint. They make their own sauce which tasted perfect, the right spices on the pie, high grade pizza cheese you come to expect from a NYC pizzeria. The first bite brought me home to Queens. This place is a little bit of a drive for us to do take away BUT we have decided it's to good not to take the time to make this our go to!! I can't recommend this place enough if you're a NYC pizza prude too!!! read more

The manager was very rude blatantly talked bad about our table in front of other customers. She rolled her eyes and had an attitude the entire time. We also waited 1 hour for pizza and this has happened the past couple times we have come here. Not busy inside at all. read more

We have few choices for delivery and I get very sick of their 90 to 120 minute wait. The pizza is sometimes delivered cold. Going in person is a much better experience and I like the atmosphere and being able to get a slice and a beer in person. read more

Went on a Wednesday night with family. Small restaurant with a small bar rail. Staff was very friendly and helpful describing the menu and how ordering works. There are no servers, so if you are planning on dining in, be prepared to go up to the counter to order your own drinks each time. We ordered a couple pizzas and a meatball sub. The pizza was pretty good but definitely not New York style even though we asked specifically for New York style when ordering. The slices were cut very unevenly and small. They did have our order out to our table in less than 20 minutes, so quick service for being made to order. The meatball sub wasn't anything stellar, just an average sub. Pricing was very fair given the quality of ingredients. read more

Joey Nova's Pizzeria - "New York style" pizza slice and meatball sub - Pizza Near Me - Excelsior, Minnesota

Best East Coast pizza all the way out here folks. Awesome staff, awesome pies, awesome grinders, awesome salads. Bring all my coworkers here. Been here at least 30+ times, now they bring their families as well. A domino effect so to speak and well worth it! read more

BOOOOOSS BOOOOOSS BOOOOOSS just dont ask, open the menu and order anything bc everything there is tooooogooooood!!!! 5 starts 24/7! read more

We had a birthday party at the beach and ordered Joey Novas for delivery. I'd never eaten their food before, but the gal who took my order graciously answered all my annoying questions and was on point with her ideas on how to give us the best experience. We pre-ordered and the food arrived right on time. It was piping hot and amazingly delicious. The garden pizza was hands down the best vegetarian pizza I've ever had. Highly recommend! Thanks Joey Nova team for making our birthday party a success! read more

One of our favs in the area. No pickup line issues lately. Only reason to knockoff a star is they don't have online ordering or coupons. Sometimes ordering pizzas with a picky family (1/2 of something on one pizza, etc.) gets missed in the order. read more

Best thin crust pizza west of Highway 169. We've had pizza, calzone, and salads on different trips and not had anything we didn't like. The star though is their pizza crust. This time we had the Chicken Gorgonzola which was chicken, bacon, onion, red peppers, and gorgonzola cheese. Instead of sauce it has flavored olive oil. read more

Joey Nova's Pizzeria - Pizza Near Me - Excelsior, Minnesota

Attitude lady rushing me to order but place is overstepped there bouwings no seasoned all but it some what ok overpaid don't like being rush very attitude disrespectful read more

We picked up from here and can't help but be surprised that there is New York style pizza in the area. It's hard not to be impressed given the pure size of the extra large pizza alone. The pizza was partially folded at the top as it couldn't exactly fit in the box. We got the Deluxe and it did not disappoint. I loved that they include sliced tomatoes but sad that they don't include any bell peppers. The flavor and texture was really good. The prices are reasonable. I liked that I wasn't thirsty afterwards which is an indication that there is a lot of salt, but that wasn't the case at all. I would definitely order from here again. read more

Pizza and salad were outstanding they were a little nervous about taking my payment information over the phone which in this day and age seemed a little bizarre. But food was good. read more