MORGAN PILZ/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Paul and Vinny’s Pizza in Ocean Pines Plaza on 11070 Cathell Road, a family run business, gathers all the employees for a photo on Saturday, July 14. Pictured, from left, is Marina, 18, Vinny, Linda, Paul, and Gianna DePietro, 11.
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer
(Aug. 2, 2018) Paul and Vinny’s Pizzeria opened for business on June 16 in the Ocean Pines Plaza on Cathell Road.
From classic thin crust Neapolitan pizzas to cold subs, the restaurant serves 100-percent authentic, homemade Italian recipes made to order and always fresh.
“This is full-blooded Italian, family-run and operated, and our recipes go back 100 years, maybe more,” Co-owner Paul DePietro said. “My Nona taught me how to cook.”
DePietro is no stranger to owning a restaurant. He ran Paul’s Pizza in Salisbury for five years. He closed the restaurant in June to focus his attention on the Ocean Pines eatery. The Salisbury shop will be closed until further notice.
“We always wanted to be [closer] toward the beach,” DePietro said. “This opportunity presented itself and we [took] it.”
Specialty pizzas include the Big Kahuna (made with pineapple, bacon, ham and onions), buffalo chicken, cheesesteak, chicken parmesan, white (no tomato sauce) and the Crab Delight, which features crab meat, olives, Old Bay, tomato filets and three cheeses.
Other menu items include calzones, strombolis, hot and cold subs, chicken wings, onion rings, mozzarella sticks and desserts such as cannolis and zeppolis (Italian donuts).
Along with DePietro and his son, Vinny, other members of the family help run the restaurant.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” DePietro said.
Vinny DePietro has been in the restaurant business with his family since he was 5 years old.
“I’ve been doing this for so long and I enjoy doing this,” Vinny said. “So I thought, why not just go ahead and come in with my dad and start our own place together. We’ve got the best pizza in the world.”
Paul DePietro said he does not plan to open another restaurant in the near future.
“Never say never though,” he added.
The pizzeria is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Sundays so the family can spend time together.
“It’s not a real quick place, but when you order, you’re gonna have some good food,” DePietro said. “This is true New York pizza, hand tossed and cooked in a brick oven.”
For more information, call 410-208-6600.