CJ's Pizza and Giant Grinders

CJ’s is a neighborhood pizzeria and grinder shop known for big, classic sandwiches and a pizza that leans toward a crunchy, cheese-forward profile.

Diners comment on attentive, familiar service and a busy, friendly kitchen that turns out steady orders for takeout and dine-in.

The room feels casual and family-friendly, with staff who know regulars by name.

Expect generous portions, house-made touches like flavorful sauce and well-seasoned meatballs, and a menu that runs from garlic bread with mozzarella to Buffalo wings and large grinders.

The menu centers on oversized grinders — chicken parm, salami, cheeseburger, and cold cut combos — alongside classic pizzas with notable cheese and a tomato-forward sauce.

Reviewers repeatedly highlight the grinders as a signature offering and praise the cheese pull and balanced toppings.

Other consistently praised items include meatballs (called top-tier by several diners), crisp Buffalo wings, Greek-style pizza, garlic bread with mozzarella, and simple sides like fries and clam strips.

House vinaigrette and a local lemonade also earn mentions, and staff have even prepped deconstructed grinders for travel.

The tomato, now a staple of pizza, was once met with suspicion upon its introduction to Europe. Brought from the Americas in the 16th century, tomatoes were initially thought to be poisonous by Europeans due to their association with the deadly nightshade family. However, by the 18th century, adventurous Neapolitans began using tomatoes on their flatbreads, transforming pizza into the beloved dish it is today. This risky culinary gamble paid off, forever changing the landscape of Italian cuisine.

CJ’s Pizza and Giant Grinders in Manchester, CT, is a compact, family-run counter that built a reputation on oversized grinders and a straightforward, cheese-forward pizza.

Regulars describe a place where the owner greets guests by name and the kitchen keeps up with a steady stream of orders.

Service can slow during peak times, but many say the food makes it worth the wait.

One visitor called the chicken parm grinder “perfectly breaded chicken, flavorful sauce, and melted cheese” (Nicole Le), and another praised the pie itself: “The pizza was perfect.

Very high quality, very good mozzarella” (That Guy).

The grinders range from classic cold cut combos to cooked salami and chicken cutlet options, often arriving generous and well assembled.

Meatballs attract rave reviews for texture and seasoning, while wings are described as crispy and flavorful.

Reviewers point to a crunchy crust style, a tomato-forward sauce, and a strong cheese presence as defining traits.

Locals value CJ’s for consistent comfort food, large portions, and a warm, homey atmosphere that keeps families and longtime patrons coming back.

The famous Pizza Margherita, a simple yet iconic dish, was allegedly created in 1889 by Neapolitan pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito. The story goes that Esposito prepared this pizza to honor Queen Margherita of Savoy, using ingredients that mirrored the Italian flag: red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil. Although some debate the accuracy of this tale, it remains a cherished legend that highlights pizza's cultural significance and its journey from peasant food to a dish fit for royalty.