Papa’s Tomato Pies is the oldest family owned and continually run pizzeria in the U.S.A. It was established in 1912.
First located on Butler Street in Trenton in 1912 and then moved to 802 Chambers Street in 1945 donating the original location to become the Neopolitan Hall . We moved to our present location in August of 2013. Papa’s is a New Jersey institution , loved locally and known to pizza lovers everywhere.
Joe Papa’s History
An immigrant from Naples, Italy, Giuseppe “Joe” Papa, began working in Trenton’s first pizzeria , Joe’s on South Clinton Ave. (Opened in 1910 and closed in the 1990’s). He was 15 yrs old. Two years later, at 17 he opened Papa’s Tomato Pies in April of 1912. He was making dough by hand long before machines and cooking in coal fired ovens. He peeled and cooked tomatoes, used olive oil and fresh cut mozzarella. His wife, Adalene, made meatball and sauce and helped prepare in the kitchen. Joe was one of the first Italian businessmen in Trenton as well as chairman of the Festa della Madonna di Casandrino ( Feast of Lights) for many years and president of the Neopolitan Hall. He always wore a suit and tie. Joe taught many pie makers who went into business for themselves, like Tony Gervasio of Gervasio’s Restaurant and Chick and Rick Delorenzo of Delorenzo’s and many others over the years.
Dominik “Abie” Azzaro and Teresa “Tessie” Papa
Abie started working for Joe Papa in 1945 where he met Tessie, Joe’s daughter, and shortly married soon after. Abie worked for Joe Papa until he passed in 1965 then took over the business with Tessie. Abie worked long hours, at one point until 3 AM, serving breakfast to feed hungry factory workers and patrons after bars were closed. Tessie helped the business bookkeeping and paperwork. At one point in time, Papa’s used to be the home base for teenagers from Trenton High and Trenton Catholic would eat after football games. Those same teenagers are now in their 60s, return the last Wednesday of every month eating our pies!
Teresa “Tessie” Papa
Dominik “Abie” Azzaro
Nick Azzaro
Since the mid 2000s, Abie and Tessie’s son has taken over the family business having worked his parents from a young age until he took Papa’s over. Bringing Papa’s to Robbinsville, NJ where it now resides. Since moving to Robbinsville, Abie and Tessie have passed. Nick now carries on the tradition with the help of his cousin Michael. Nick and the Mustard Pie have been featured in several news articles, blogs, show, and YouTube food channels.