By Jacqueline Pillsbury
Stella’s Pizza, located in the Glen Roc Shopping Center, has been an integral part of the Ewing community since 1981.
Tony Giordano, son of founders Peter and Stella Giordano, said he takes great pleasure in getting to know his customers, in particular watching their children grow up.
“We have customers who have been coming here since they were five years old, and now bring in their five year olds. We have very loyal customers,” he said.
The Giordano family does things their own way. They mix the old ways with some new ways to create a recipe for a successful business.
Peter moved by himself to the United States from Cinisi, Italy, a small town in Sicily, in the early 1970s. After meeting Stella and getting married, he decided to open a pizza parlor. All food at Stella’s is prepared by a member of the family. Peter, Stella, Tony and Francesco lovingly prepare family recipes for their customers.
Thanks to members of the National Guard, Ewing Police Department, Merrill Lynch and ETS, as well as other local companies, Stella’s has a thriving lunch business. “I’ve seen 18 year old privates who are now majors, colonels, and generals,” said Tony. It quiets down in the evenings.
Lunch specialties include cheese steaks, Italian hoagies, and 10 to 12 different types of sliced pies that they make every day, and they are offering roll back the clock prices on cold sandwich specials. They also make salads, Yankee pastas, chicken and meatballs.
“Our meatballs are great, they are what we have for our Sunday dinners,” Tony said.
“Customers can come by for $5 and get a nice lunch of pizza and a soda,” he added. “We can feed a family of four for $15 with a pizza and a 2-liter bottle of soda. People can get a lot of food for not a lot of money. It is a good value.”
Stella’s caters office parties, and offers take out, but they do not deliver. “If we deliver, we don’t see our customers any more,” Tony said. “We are family-oriented. We like to see our customers.” In fact, the restaurant is closed on Sundays in order for the Giordanos to spend time together as a family.
The Giordano family continues to make their own dough daily. They purchase their sandwich rolls from Italian People’s Bakery and buy locally grown food whenever possible.
Tony said they also try to do what they can for the community. For example, during Autism Awareness Month in October, Stella’s Pizza will match every donation made through the sale of $1 cards, which they hang in their restaurant. Last year they raised over $1,000 to help children with autism. It is a cause close to their hearts. They also support policemen’s activities, community nights, junior diabetes, and the National Guard.
Stella’s Pizza, Glen Roc Shopping Center, 202 Scotch Road, Ewing. (609) 883-3880. Open Monday through Saturday 10-8. Closed Sundays.
The Giordano family at the counter of Stella’s Pizza Parlor in Ewing. Pictured are Frank Giordano, Tony Giordano, Stella Giordano and Peter Giordano.,
