Fred DiPiazza

For over 40 years, Pizzaland has been bringing the best pizza ever had to countless residents and visitors in northern New Jersey. The recipe is virtually unchanged from its original form when Fred DiPiazza opened for the first time on April 6, 1965.

Arriving from Italy in the early 1950's, Fred and his wife, Ingrid, settled in Newark, New Jersey. He took a job as a machinist for RCA records, but he dreamed, as most Americans do, of having his own business. His dream was answered with a little luck when in 1964, he acquired the property now known as Pizzaland thru a card game. Possessed with little more than a remarkable work ethic and a pizza recipe that was a family secret brought from Sicily, Italy, Fred saw his dream come true. Fred was solely responsible for Pizzaland's creation, including having handmade the famous green plywood PIZZALAND sign that still adorns the building today. Working from 5 p.m. to midnight every day, Fred built a loyal customer base, with the classic Pizzaland Italian hot dog, potatoes, and antipastos. Unfortunately, Fred suddenly passed away in the spring of 1991, but left his recipe of success to a few dedicated people.

The Sopranos may have given Pizzaland national exposure to every corner of the world, but Pizzaland has remained unspoiled by stardom and true to its origins. The star of the show was, and remains, the pizza itself. The unique flavor of pan pizza, with its thin, crisp, chewy crust and "secret sauce," is unlike any other pizza in this small town or any other town. It truly is "pizza to die for."