It’s still unclear when Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza, one of New Jersey’s most revered pizzerias, will reopen in Elizabeth after a devastating January fire. But those craving Al Santillo’s nostalgic pies will soon be able to satisfy their crispy crust cravings — even if they don’t live in New Jersey.
Santillo, the 66-year-old pizzaiolo, has signed a contract with online marketplace Goldbelly to sell his pizza across the country. Through the delivery service, Santillo will be selling 12-inch round pies (with pepperoni and sweet Italian sausage available as toppings) along with his his signature 1964 pizza with mozzarella and Romano cheese. Pies will be shipped overnight frozen, with orders starting Tuesday and shipping starting on Sept. 3.
Through Goldbelly, Santillo is selling a three-pie package (ranging from $99.95 to $114.95) and a four-pie package (ranging from ($124.95 to $139.95).
That’s right. The pizzeria that famously didn’t deliver even locally is now shipping nationally.
Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza in Elizabeth was destroyed by a fire on January 6th. Support is pouring in for owner Al Santillo, who is still hopeful to rebuild and return to continue to make some of New Jersey’s best pizza. Elizabeth, N.J., Jan. 8, 2024Photo by Andre Malok
Goldbelly launched in 2013, and currently partners with hundreds of food vendors from across the country on its website. Everything from Lou Malnati’s Pizza in Chicago and Junior’s Cheesecake in Brooklyn to Franklin Barbecue in Austin and Pike Place chowder in Seattle is sold on Goldbelly. Town Hall Deli in South Orange, B&W Bakery in Hackensack, Maruca’s Tomato Pies in Seaside Heights and Donkey’s Place in Camden are among other New Jersey eateries included.
Frozen pizza had never interested Santillo in the past, concerned he would have to put preservatives into the pie. Because these pizzas are delivered overnight, that won’t be the case.
“It’s going to be same thing I make at the pizzeria,” Santillo told NJ Advance Media. “The same exact thing.”
While Santillo’s own pizzeria is still in the process of being rebuilt, he will make his pizzas for Goldbelly at Casano’s Pizza Parlor in Rutherford. Dave Ligas, who previously owned Tavolino Pizzeria in Wallington, opened Casano’s this past May and has become friendly with Santillo. He’s one of many members of the New Jersey pizza community that has stepped up to help Santillo since the fire. Santillo previously held pop-ups at Coniglio’s Old Fashioned in Morristown. While a similar pop-up has been discussed at Casano’s, Santillo says the plan for now is to simply make the Goldbelly pies there.
Nino Coniglio and Al Santillo. Al Santillo is making and selling his pizza out of Coniglio’s on Sunday’s from 1-3 pm while his place being rebuilt, in Morristown, NJ on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024 Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media
It’s been a rough year for Santillo, marred not only by the fire but an extended hospital stay following an illness. The support of the pizza community has kept him going.
“You feel elated, because you’re not expecting all that,” Santillo said. ‘All my life living in Elizabeth, I always dealt with with mean people. There’s a whole bigger world out there. It’s great, everybody’s been wonderful. Dave has been wonderful. Nino been real wonderful. They’re keeping my name alive.”
Related coverage:
• N.J. pizzeria fire update: After ‘total nightmare,’ Santillo’s gets good news
• 2 of N.J.’s top pizza chefs now share a kitchen after devastating fire
• Behind the scenes with an eccentric pizza master and his legendary little N.J. shop
• Fire heavily damages legendary N.J. pizza shop. ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do,’ owner says
• Why the Santillo’s fire is such a devastating blow to New Jersey pizza
Stories by Jeremy Schneider
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Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com and followed on Twitter at @J_Schneider and on Instagram at @JeremyIsHungryAgain.