Three cheers for Red Star Pizza 3

Three generations of Buas have their own role in making the food special at Red Star Pizza 3. Pictured are (from left to right): the owners’ son Salvatore Bua, the elder Salvatore Bua, and owners Maria Bua and husband Anthony Bua. Staff photo by Diana Pichardo. A symbol of three stars represents the triumph of Red Star Pizza 3, located at 608 Bear Tavern Road, (609) 406-1600. That’s because this is Anthony and Maria Bua’s third Red Star Pizza restaurant in the central Jersey area, said Maria. They sold the first two, one of which was in Burlington, and have made a home-away-from-home of their current location for more than 11 years. Each star in their logo represents a different point in their lives but also the same love for food and good company that has made the family successful. Red Star Pizza 3 opened in 1996. It was just one of many restaurants that Anthony Bua, of Italy, has opened. Bua has been in the restaurant business for more than 30 years. Back in Italy he rarely cooked, but he found his love and passion for food by working at his Aunt’s restaurant in St. Louis, shortly after moving to America in 1972. After moving to New York and then New Jersey, Anthony opened Capital Pizza in Hamilton in 1974. Maria, then a Notre Dame High School student, was a regular customer. The two fell in love, got married and began working together. “I got to say, she is a really good cook,” he said. The massive menu includes old family recipes. “You don’t have to get tired of the menu,” he said. “Every day we do something different too.” Maria’s favorite dishes are the salads, while Anthony’s is the Sicilian pizza. They also have gourmet pizzas. The barbecue chicken pie ($14.45 medium) is one of the most popular, Maria said. Red Star’s offerings are popular among readers of the Observer, with their pizza scoring top marks in the reader’s choice “Best Pizza in Ewing” poll taken in November. Red Star also offers wraps, hoagies, gourmet pastas, chicken, veal and seafood dishes, and desserts. A buffalo chicken wrap with fries is $7.95. A baked ziti, with ricotta, mozzarella and sauce is $7.45. An unusual item found on the menu is the Focaccia sandwiches, made of leftover pizza dough. Though they’ve had many locations, they have no intention of moving again. “I like the people, it’s a great community. You know everyone,” Anthony said.