Tony Brogna has been spinning pizza dough at his Marblehead restaurant for 35 years.
By LEIGH BLANDER
MARBLEHEAD — On any given day at about 12:00 p.m., you’ll find a hungry crowd at Tony’s Pizza on School Street in Marblehead. The landmark restaurant – owned by a Lynn couple — celebrates its 35th anniversary on February 2, making it one of the oldest family-owned restaurants in Marblehead.
Tony’s Pizza has served generations of families. “We hear parents in here telling their kids, ‘This is where Mom and I used to sit when we were in high school,’” said Tricia Brogna, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Tony. “Over 35 years, our customers have become our friends. We’ve invited them to our kids’ weddings. We’re a family, really.”
Rick Ashley of Marblehead comes to Tony’s for lunch four to five times a week. “I like the food, I like the friendship. This place is like Cheers for lunch. Everyone knows your name,” he said, referring to the popular 80s and 90s sitcom.
Grace Neville of Marblehead has been coming to Tony’s since it opened. “I love the family atmosphere and the food is delicious,” Neville said, as she ate a pepper and egg sub with fresh tomatoes.
Owners Tony and Tricia met as teenagers working at Caruso’s Pizza in Lynn. Tony had come to the U.S. from near Naples in 1969.
“We always said we wanted to have our own place,” Tricia remembers. “One Sunday, we took a ride to Marblehead, we saw the space and we knew right away. We’ve been here ever since.”
Tony’s opened in 1981, and instantly became a popular spot for pizza and subs. A huge fire closed the restaurant in 2003, but with the help and support of the town, the Brognas rebuilt and opened again in 2006.
The restaurant has been a second home to the Brogna family. “We grew up here,” says daughter, Christina Moore, who still helps with the business. “ I bring my kids, who are 5 and 7. It’s a wonderful family tradition.”
So, what’s the secret to Tony’s 35-year success?
“Consistency,” Tony says. “We are here all day, six days a week. We’re both used to doing everything ourselves. We’re very hands-on.”
When they do take time off, they’re usually at home with their family. “We do eat out sometimes,” Tricia said. “Lynn has some great new restaurants. You don’t have to drive far.”
The restaurant business has changed over the decades, Tony says. “It’s more complicated these days; insurance, regulations. I don’t deal well with change,” he laughed. After all these years, Tony’s favorite food to cook hasn’t changed. Pizza – cheese and pepperoni.
But you will see some changes at Tony’s Pizza… on the menu and beyond.
“People want a lot more vegetarian dishes,” Tony said. “And buffalo chicken is very popular.”
Moore says she’s been bringing the business into the 21st century. “When we reopened after the fire we started using computers. We take credit cards, we have a website and I always try to get dad to tell me things I can post to Facebook. It’s really not his thing!”
Tony’s is an institution in town, delivering pizzas to schools, banks, yacht clubs, businesses and more. It has served celebrities, including David Spade, Shaquille O’Neal and Marvin Hagler.
“Tony’s is amazing,” said Marblehead Chamber of Commerce Director, Beth Ferris. “It was an awesome commitment to the town when they rebuilt after the fire in the building.” Ferris says her favorite Tony’s dish is the chicken kabob wrap.
Tony and Tricia think about retiring in a few years, but they don’t have any real plans. Working side by side, every day for 35 years, they are together nearly all the time. Asked if they always get along, Tricia laughs, “It depends on the recipe!”