Having dinner at Conte's on a Saturday night is like being transported to a time and place that many of us have nearly forgotten still exists: the real world.
Filled with middle-aged couples, a spattering of college students, and screaming kids straight from little league, eating at Conte's is the closest encounter I've had with normal suburban America within walking distance of the Princeton campus.
A neighborhood Italian joint, Conte's serves up pizza, pasta and subs with a simplistic and down-to-earth charm that is generally lacking in the town of Princeton.
Located at 339 With-erspoon Street, Conte's is situated near Princeton Medical Center, approximately 20 minutes walking distance from campus.
Advertised with a bright neon sign, Conte's rather stark exterior is indicative of the restaurant's general décor. Conte's beige walls are littered with beer ads and pictures of local youth sports teams.
The dimly-lit restaurant is filled with Formica tables taken straight out of 1972 and the kind of aluminum/plastic chairs that seem to seat diners in all down-home eating establishments.
Across the length of the restaurant is a fully stocked bar which caters to both chain-smoking thirty-somethings as well as slews of soccer moms waiting for a table with the kids.
Conte's is crowded on Saturday nights and the line for a table seems to fill up half of the restaurant. In order to cater to their high demand, the waitresses recommend that you order while you wait for a table.
Although this set-up is less than desirable if you're looking for a relaxing evening out, it does mean that your food will be there within minutes when you finally do get to sit down.
Besides this inverted ordering system, deciding on an entrée is otherwise unstressful, as Conte's only had three items on the menu: pizza, pasta, and subs.
The most popular item on the menu is Conte's pizza, which ranges from $7.00 to $8.00 for a small, $9.00 to $10.00 for a medium, and $11.00 to $13.00 for a large.
All of Conte's pizza is thin crust, which is made crispy just the way it should be. With a thin spreading of tomato sauce and mozzarella, Conte's offers all the staple toppings (sausage, pepperoni, vegetables) and nothing more. With no fancy meats, vegetables, or cheeses, Conte's takes a back-to-the-basics approach to its pizza.
Though not up to the caliber of its pizza pies, Conte's also offers pasta and subs as alternate dining options. In terms of pasta, there are only two types: spaghetti and pencil points (don't be led astray by its name — pencil points is merely Conte's term for penne).
These pastas can be topped with either plain marinara ($8.00) sauce or coupled with sausage or meatballs ($10.00). And although both are homemade, the sausage far outdoes the meatballs.
The sausage is the spicy Italian variety with subtle hints of fennel and white wine. The meatballs, which in no way resemble their rounded namesake, are more like hunks of ground beef tossed into the sauce.
All pastas are served with standard French bread and a salad, and can be served as a small portion ($6.00), which is more than large enough for one person.
Conte's sandwiches are decent — the kind of sub which simply consists of meat thrown on a warmed French bun. The only options are sausage, meatball, steak, ham and salami; each one is reasonable at only $3.50.
If you want to turn it into a real sandwich, however, I'd recommend adding onions, mushrooms, or peppers for an additional 50 cents. Again, the homemade sausage is the standout option of the group.
Overall, Conte's is an outstanding choice if you're looking to kick back with a couple of friends over beer and pizza. With its solid pizza and unpretentious atmosphere, Conte's is the perfect college student hangout.
Furthermore, it is also a relaxing escape into the realm of normal people after weeks in the warped academic sphere of Princeton University. It's the kind of place that makes you remember that the world is not all stressed-out twenty year olds — there are, in fact, people out there who have kids, own dogs and play pick-up softball on the weekends for fun.
Whether you're looking for a cheap place to hang out and scarf pizza or a brief escape from University life, Conte's is the place to go.
Read More
Princeton Zoning Board of Adjustment approves renovations to Tower and Charter Clubs
Sena Chang and Isaac BernsteinOn March 27, the Municipality of Princeton’s Zoning Board of Adjustment approved construction developments for Tower Club and Charter Club. Renovations for both clubs are aimed towards improving accessibility.
On March 27, the Municipality of Princeton’s Zoning Board of Adjustment approved construction developments for Tower Club and Charter Club. Renovations for both clubs are aimed towards improving accessibility.
Students support local businesses with new platform Zage
Jack AllenAfter hearing about the struggles faced by a number of these restaurants after students left campus in mid-March, Dilbagi created Zage, an online platform that allows community members to send money to local businesses now to redeem as credits on their purchases in the future.
This fall, go beyond the 'Bubble'
Dora ZhaoEven though classes are picking up, weekends are the perfect time for students to escape the Orange Bubble. While going out to eat on Nassau is enjoyable, there is so much to see beyond Princeton. For those looking for a day trip or a chance to explore the area outside of Princeton, here is a list of ideas to do this fall.