And the winner of APP.com's Pizza Playoff is ... The Galley in Asbury Park NJ

The Pizza Playoff has come to an end and one shop has been crowned champion: Asbury Park's The Galley Pizza & Eatery.

It was a close battle against The Sauce Pizzeria in Oceanport. "The Sauce Army" fought valiantly, with 2,319 votes (46.61%), but The Galley won with 2,656 votes (53.39%). The Playoff started with 18 pizzerias competing for the title.

The Galley, known for its thin crust specialties and Detroit-style pies, was grateful for the win.

“I’m so happy we have all our fans and customers who took the time to vote, doing that wasn’t easy,” said owner Kris Black. “I can’t thank [everyone] enough. I already thank them like crazy on Instagram and I’ll thank them again.”

He also thanked his loyal employees.

“My staff, they’re the best," he said. "They’re just pumping food out. They live for it and without them, we’re nothing.

“We love being nominated in this stuff … [We] feel special working at a place that’s getting [recognized] like this."

His staff, on a slow day, can put out around 150 pies. On their busiest weekend days? Up to 500.

“But I don’t look at exact numbers, that doesn’t matter to me," Black said. "I just want people to be happy."

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While the pizzeria gained notoriety for its classic thin-crust options, the kitchen has expanded its offerings.

“We started out as a thin crust only spot, but I have this mental illness where I need to make everything, and I won’t put it out till its good,” Black said. “Our Detroit Pizza has taken off like you wouldn’t believe, and our Station 83 – with chili oil, mozzarella, imported salami, ricotta cheese, Mike’s Hot Honey and fresh basil – that’s our most well known pie.

“It’s got everything," he added. "Everything’s there, so many flavors.”

Other eccentric pies to try are the Lobster Fra Diavolo with house-made fra diavolo sauce, fresh garlic and butter poached lobster, mozzarella, parsley and pecorino romano; and the 16-inch double proofed pan Chix Vodka – a thick and airy Sicilian style pie with vodka sauce, organic Bell & Evans breaded chicken, mozzarella and parsley.

Black said he won the Pizza Playoff thanks to The Galley's “fresh ingredients.”

“[We’re] making everything to order," he said. "We don’t freeze anything except for ice cream. "I want to be the best of the best in everything we sell, and the highest quality."

The restaurant doesn't just make pizza. It's also known for its smoked organic Bell & Evans wings, and burgers like the Galley OG — a 10-ounce LaFrieda patty with aged white cheddar, roasted long hots, roasted red onion and garlic aioli on a brioche bun.

“We’re like 50/50," Black said. "Our kitchen and pizza station is completely split down the middle, which is pretty hard to do in a pizzeria setting."

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The Galley opened in September 2019 because Black wanted a place where he could give customers everything he always wanted in a restaurant.

“Being let down is the reason I opened a restaurant, honestly," Black said. "Going to places and not getting food delivered the way they [portrayed] it to be."

As for the 17 other pizzerias in the Asbury Park Press Pizza Playoff, "everyone should feel great," Black said.

"It's nice to be included in something like this...," he added. "It’s good to be out there.”

Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA Today Network New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: And the winner of APP.com's Pizza Playoff is ... The Galley in Asbury Park NJ