Salt & Grinder

The narrative of my life is shaped by food. When I was growing up in New Jersey, Rudy’s was absolutely the best place to get a slice. And Vito’s Deli made the best sandwiches.

The crust at Rudy’s was perfect: crispy on the edges, but firm and pliable in the middle, thin enough to fold in half and soft enough to arc downward as you drew it to your mouth. The sauce was fantastic — not too spicy, not too sweet — and the cheese, not piled on, but real and melty mozzarella. Flavorful, you know? How many Rudy’s pizzas did I eat after school, in one uniform or another, same group of guys, laughing out loud with sauce on our faces?