Pizza review: A thin slice of Westfield’s pizza history gets Portnoy’s nod

A slice of history made its way onto Dave Portnoy’s plate recently when he stopped by a Westfield joint known for serving pizza since disco was king. The place, Buona Pizza & Restaurant, has been a local fixture since the late '70s, long enough for some to call it a neighborhood time capsule. Portnoy popped in as part of his ongoing tour of Union County pizzerias, where he rates places based on a single taste test. This time around, he sampled two styles: a classic thin slice and a more adventurous salad-style slice.The regular slice earned a 7. 4 out of 10, with Portnoy praising its crispiness and uncomplicated flavor. Nothing fancy, just straightforward pizza done right. The salad slice, however, left him a bit puzzled. He described its taste as closer to a bowl of greens than a typical pizza slice, raising questions about whether this unusual topping combo is a trend worth following or just a novelty. The restaurant’s long-standing menu leans into traditional Italian dishes, so it’s no surprise pizza plays a starring role here. What’s interesting isn’t just Portnoy’s score but what it reveals about local food culture. Westfield, like many towns, has a few spots that become institutions over decades. Buona Pizza is one of those places where the menu hasn’t changed much, yet it still draws customers. Portnoy’s review might not make it trendy, but it does highlight why some places stick around: consistency over hype.