Joel Alfro, left, and Tanis Guerra exhibit two of Special Pizza City’s pies. (Staff photo by Samantha Sciarrotta.)
By Jacquelyn Pillsbury
Located a half a block away from the Home Depot on Olden Avenue in Ewing, Special Pizza City has been serving pizzas for over 50 years. In 1994, David Trezza and his uncle, Rocco Gangone, purchased the pizzeria from the then-owner of Parkway Pizza on Parkway Avenue.
Trezza moved here from Salerno, Italy in 1986 when he was 15 years old. He joined his uncle who moved to the United States in the ’70s and was already established.
“I had big dreams in my head,” Trezza said. “I wanted to work and have things. I like the American way. Everyone has possibilities. If you are smart enough and work, you can be somebody.”
Eight years later, with the help of Rocco, Trezza bought Special Pizza City when he was just 23 years old. His uncle was in the market for a pizza place when he learned about the shop in Ewing.
“We had to fix things up and change the menu to make it a little better,” Trezza said. “We kept some of the old recipes and added to it.”
He purchases all of his high-quality foods from local vendors, preferring to spend his money close to home.
His uncle taught him the “secrets of the business,” such as how to adjust to changing prices, and the changes in the economy.
The menu at Special Pizza City has changed over the years to reflect how people eat differently now than even 20 years ago. “We’ve added dinners to the menu, sandwiches, wraps, and gyros as we go. Over the years people change so we added healthy stuff, and lots of salads,” Trezza said. They also offer hot and cold subs and cheese steaks.
The restaurant also has a special secret pizza crust recipe, and gourmet pizzas like chicken bacon honey mustard, Brooklyn-style, and taco pizza, which Trezza said is popular. Dinner offerings such as grilled shrimp al fresco, homemade pasta dishes, lasagna, and salads are also big sellers.
“The menu is not that big, but everything we have on it goes,” Trezza said. “I try to use high-quality foods at the lowest prices possible and be on top of everything. I make sure every single customer leaves happy. I give them the most attention we can do and give them. I treat everyone like family.”
Special Pizza City offers delivery within a four mile radius of their location.
Trezza is very committed to helping the community, supporting local Little League teams and other charities.
“I try to get involved with Ewing and Trenton whenever I can. I like to be a part of it. A lot of people coming here have helped me,” he said.
Special Pizza City is located at 1597 N. Olden Avenue. Phone: (609) 393-0330. Fax: (609) 393-8832. On the web: www.specialpizzacityewing.com. E-mail: info@specialpizzacityewing.com. Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.–midnight, Sunday 10:30 a.m.– 10 p.m.
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