Here’s What The Garden State Parkway Toll Increase Means To Your Wallet

Tolls increasing on the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike.  Somethings never change.  Some things remain the same.  Somehow, this is both of those:  the tolls always increase.  Funny how that happens, right?  Well, a recent breakdown of the toll increase on the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike reveals the actual numbers on the toll increase.

The toll increase is part of the Turnpike Authority annual budget, which was approved by commissioners just yesterday (October 24, 2023).  They say the 3% increase in tolls is due to inflation.

The approval of the 3% toll increase comes just a few weeks before election day so some people expected a politically oriented decision from Governor Phil Murphy to change the increase.  A New Jersey governor has the right to "veto any part the New Jersey Turnpike Authority minutes" of the budget meeting.  This means that Governor Murphy could just strike or erase that part of the minutes that mention the toll increase.  In fact, members of his own Democratic party asked Governor Murphy to go ahead and make this change but he didn't do that.  So, it looks like the toll increase on the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike is definitely coming.  Unless some kind of other intervention happens.

The 3% increase goes into effect January 1st, 2024.  Happy friggin' New Year.  What does a 3% increase in tolls on the Garden State Parkway actually look like in dollars and cents?  According to the breakdown we have here's what the increase means:

There are a few ways to save on tolls, although all tolls will see the effect of the 3% increase.  According to the Turnpike Authority website, one way to save is to travel during off peak hours using EZPass.  They define off peak hours as, "7:00-9:00 a.m; 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday (based on time of entry) and at all times on weekends."  There's also savings for senior citizens and green vehicles, which looks to be 10%.

When I was a kid, I fell in love with Sicilian slices at my local pizzerias. Dalisa Pizza in our local Waldbaum’s shopping center is where all the kids would go after school.

But the best Sicilian slice or pie was at a little joint across the parking lot in the Grand Union shopping center.
When I moved to New Jersey, I needed to get an education from the people with a lifetime of experience chowing down on good Sicilian style pizza in the Garden State. Where do I go?

According to Basil Pizza Bar: Sicilian pizza is believed to have first been made in Sicily, Italy, during the 19th Century. During those periods, various kinds of pizza were popular with constant experiments in enhancing the flavor.

According to La Cucina Italiana: Sicilian pizza is derived from sfincione, a street food synonymous with Palermo, Sicily's capital. Nowadays, it's topped with tomato sauce, but the original version was complete with anchovies, sliced tuma (Sicilian cheese made from raw sheep’s milk), breadcrumbs with grated pecorino cheese, onions, salt, and extra-virgin olive oil. It originated in Bagheria, a town in the commune of Palermo, around six miles from the city center.

Sicilian-style pizza was introduced to the United States by Sicilian immigrants in the mid-20th century. Topping Sicilian pies with mozzarella most likely happened because most Italian bakeries and restaurants in New York City would have had access to good quality, low cost mozzarella.

The dough making method and preparation is different from the Neapolitan and other kinds of pizza.

I love the Sicilian Pizza’s thick spongy dough which is prepared from a combination of flour, water, olive oil, and yeast. It is pressed and placed on a square baking pan coated with olive oil along with toppings such as tomatoes, and all the good things that make a fine Sicilian pie.

I sifted through the pages of my favorite local food sites and social media food pages to see where the Jersey Sicilian pizza eating experts go for the ultimate Sicilian pizza eating experience.

You have to start with one of the best in Jersey! Al Santillo doesn't mess around! Santillo's is Iconic, and you need to go at least once before you die.

My Jersey Pizza Joints brothers and sisters will almost never steer me wrong. The trip from Ocean County will be worth it for a Sicilian pie from Lodi Pizza. Honorable mentions to: Joseph C , Alexander S ,Bobby H, and Karen C. You displayed some fine looking eats.

I've had plenty of pizza over the years at Squan Tavern, but I've never had the Sicilian. Gregg J. and Joe M. convinced me that I am missing out.

They have a thin crust Sicilian that's pretty well received by the pizza lovers who frequent Filippo's. Barry F. commented, ". The San Marzano Sicilian has a superb crisp. Extremely tasty and very easy on the palate."

The showstopper here is the Sicilian Bee Sting!!

Coniglio's Old Fashioned of Morristown, whose owner Nino Coniglio — a Las Vegas pizza champ as well as a "Chopped" champion, was named the winner of Pizza Bowl 3 earlier this year.
The Upside Down Sicilian was mentioned by a few folks on the boards as being one of the best pies they've eaten.

Rick D. loves the Sicilian with pepperoni. Alex and Vinnie think the Aberdeen location make better pizza than Staten Island. Those may be fighting words boys.

When Vito S. tells you that his Sicilian pie, half with sausage has great sauce, and a nice crunchy crust, you better believe him.  I believe you Vito!

A small shop that's big on flavor. This place got several mentions on the boards and sites for the Sicilian pie's crust and how crunchy and delicious it is.

Great staff and great Sicilian pie. Michael F. describes the Sicilian pizza here as, "Exceptional."

Dozens of mentions on this joint across socials. Alan and Daniel both gave Manville Pizza high marks for the Sicilian.

People go nuts for the pizza cooked in the wood fired oven. Brian drives 45 minutes and walks out with a few Sicilian pies. Chris calls the Sicilian pies, "Excellent."

"Best Pizza within 25 miles" according to Alphonse M. Terry P claims the Nona Sicilian pie is, "Out of this world." Great service, high quality ingredients, and a friendly staff make Pappagallo's a great choice.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ConfL51AnQO/

The Upside-Down Square was the clear winner at Brooklyn Square's Jackson location.