Conte’s Pizza, a Princeton staple known for its classic thin-crust pies, will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a community party and fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 16.
The celebration will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Valley Road Athletics Field, located directly behind the restaurant.
The event is open to the public and will benefit Send Hunger Packing Princeton, a nonprofit that fights food insecurity among students in the Princeton Public School system.
The anniversary bash will feature live music, a DJ, a pizza-themed photo booth, face painting, a kids’ soccer clinic, and sweet treats from local favorite Thomas Sweet. Conte’s pizza will be served throughout the event.
A silent auction, including autographed footballs, will raise additional funds for SHUPP.
Princeton Mayor Mark Freda is expected to attend and will cut the ceremonial first slice. Conte’s merchandise — including limited-edition t-shirts and hats — will be available for purchase. In case of rain, the event will be held Sunday, Aug. 17.
Conte’s origins date back to 1936, when Sebastiano Conte, an Italian immigrant from Ischia, opened the Witherspoon Bar at the restaurant’s current site. Originally a neighborhood hangout with a bocce court and card tables, the bar served Princeton’s first pizza on Oct. 13, 1950 — launching a new chapter in its history.
Sebastiano Conte built much of the bar by hand, including installing red and green glass bricks that still spell out “Contes” at the bar’s base.
The business eventually became known for its traditional thin-crust pizzas, served in a room-length bar believed to be the largest in Princeton at the time.
The restaurant remains rooted in family tradition. Current owner Ciro Baldino, also an Ischia native, came to Princeton at age 15 and began working in the pizzeria under the guidance of his uncle, who then owned the business. Baldino took over upon his uncle’s retirement.
Conte’s still uses the original recipe taught by a New York baker who commuted to Princeton for years to share his craft.
The restaurant’s signature “red pies” avoid gourmet toppings, focusing on classic flavors with low-hydration dough, caramelized mozzarella, and tangy tomato sauce made from Italian tomatoes.
Its distinctive bar-style pies have earned it a loyal following from locals and out-of-town visitors alike.
Inside, much of Conte’s 1950s aesthetic remains intact — from its white-top tables and gold walls to its speckled floors. The restaurant is believed to have been the first business in Princeton to own a television.
Beyond its food, Conte’s is known for its family-oriented atmosphere and community ties. Staff often include family members or longtime friends, and Baldino continues to emphasize hard work, integrity, and pride — values passed down from the restaurant’s founding generation.
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The main entrance to Conte's Pizza in Princeton.,
