After having lived in Ewing for a decade, Tony and Maria Bua opened Red Star Pizza III in their hometown on June 10, 1996. Already the successful owners of numerous other pizzerias and restaurants, including Red Star Café in Crosswicks, Red Star Pizza II in Cream Ridge and Red Star Pizza I in Vincentown, Maria wanted a site closer to home as they raised their three children.
When the building in the West Trenton section on Bear Tavern Road near the Trenton-Mercer Airport became available, Maria knew this was the right location. “I am very happy here,” Maria said.
“Ewing is a great community,” said Salvatore, her son and pizza maker.
Tony passed away in 2013 leaving Red Star Pizza III as a legacy to Maria and their family. Red Star Pizza III is a family business. Maria’s two sons, Salvatore and Patrick both work alongside her and live in Ewing. Her daughter Rosanna lives in Hamilton. The Buas use old family recipes created in their restaurants. Some of which are named for family members, such as Linguini a la Tony, Penne a la Maria, Penne a la Patrizio, Cappellini a la Rosanna and Rigatoni a la Salvatore. Often the three to four daily dinner specials, and eight lunch specials are named after her grandchildren.
Everything is made fresh daily, including the soups. “Nothing is pre-made, it is all made to order,” Maria said. “We go to the market, we buy eggplant at the market, we slice it, and make it here.” The same is true for all of their ingredients.
Red Star Pizza III is especially busy during lunch. “We are mostly a take-out and delivery business,” Maria said. “At dinner time people are mostly in and out very quickly.”
Maria recommends people call ahead to place their orders. One of their most popular items is their gourmet Brooklyn Style Pie—a Sicilian (square) thin crust pizza topped with fresh mozzarella, plum tomatoes and basil. It takes an hour to make. Their most popular items are anything with Buffalo Chicken—including pizza, cheese steaks and wraps.
Red Star Pizza III strives to offer something for every taste, including gluten free pizzas. They have a variety of pizza styles, including Sicilian and Chicago Deep Dish, plus pastas, full dinners, sea food and dessert.
Delivery is available throughout Ewing and neighborhoods bordering Ewing in Lawrence, Hopewell and Trenton. Coupons are available online.
Red Star Pizza III, 608 Bear Tavern Road. Phone: (609) 406-1600. Online: Redstarewing.com. Hours: Monday to Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday, noon to 10 p.m. Delivery is available on minimum orders of $8. They are on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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