The owners, employees and family members of Red Star Pizza in Ewing: Darbis Guerra, Salvatore Bua, Tony Bua, Maria Bua, Jessica Zisseti, Patrick Bua, and Antonino Bua.
Red Star’s cuisine features fresh ingredients purchase daily from local farms and grocers.
Born and raised in Italy, Antonio “Tony” Bua – co-owner of Red Star Pizza in Ewing – moved to America at age 18 and began working at Capital Pizza in Ewing.
Soon after, Tony decided he wanted to live the American dream by becoming a self-employed business owner, bringing his own taste of Italy to the area.
After several different pizza/restaurant openings, including Red Star Pizza 1 in Vincentown and Red Star Pizza 2 in Cream Ridge, Tony and his wife, Maria, opened Red Star Pizza 3 in Ewing.
“We were proprietors of all three at one time,” Maria said. “We’ve since sold the first two to relatives.”
Living only a mile away from their newest pizza shop, Tony and Maria are very happy to have chosen Ewing as their home.
“Ewing is a great community to work and raise a family,” Maria said. “We live and breathe Ewing. We operate a business, we live in the community and we’re community involved.”
The Buas do their part to stay involved in the community they love by sponsoring several different sports teams, donating to the local schools and participating in Ewing’s Independence Day parade, which they’ll be in again this month.
Red Star also gives back to the community by supporting the local farms and grocers in the area, taking pride in fresh, local shopping.
“We go to local farms and pick out the freshest vegetables,” Maria said. “We’re a small location with a small refrigerator and freezer space, so it’s done daily. Every morning, we’re out early, going out to see what is fresh.”
Maria said Red Star Pizza’s specials are decided daily based on their findings.
“We make our sauce every day from fresh tomatoes. We buy fresh green peppers, eggplant and basil. If I see fresh broccoli rabe, I’ll bring it in to make a special pizza.”
Maria said the daily trips for fresh produce not only keep them busy, but it keeps the product moving, not allowing for any spoilage.
Tony and Maria’s son—Salvatore “Sal” Bua — now manages the pizza shop, making it an all-around family business.
Sal said the fresh ingredients his parents find are a key component in making their pies and entrees as good as they are.
“Everything is our specialty,” Sal said. “Pastas, shrimp dishes, you name it.”
Sal said Red Star Pizza’s most popular pizzas are their Brooklyn pies — a thin crust Sicilian with fresh mozzarella and basil — as well as their chicken broccoli alfredo, a pan pizza with fresh chicken and broccoli, topped with creamy alfredo sauce.
“I enjoy everything about working here with my family,” Sal said. “The food is great, and the people in this town are really nice.”
Sal said that aside from their great customers, he has gained experience in the art of the pizza toss by managing Red Star Pizza.
Last year, Sal earned the title “Boss of the Toss” after winning the Mercer County Pizza Toss held at the Mercer County Italian American Festival.
During this September’s Mercer County Italian American Festival, Sal will be judging and helping run the Mercer County Pizza Toss, making all the dough for the contest.
“I still practice every day,” Sal said.
Red Star Pizza 3 is located at 608 Bear Tavern Road in Ewing. For more information, Phone: (609) 406-1600. On the Web: redstarewing.com. Hours: Sunday through Thursday – 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday – 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
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