As a third-generation pizzaiolo or pizza chef, dough and sauce run in the family for Sal Cusumano.
“People say they got ice in their veins, but like I always tell people, I got sauce in my veins,” Cusumano said.
Cusumano’s family has owned and operated pizzerias in South Jersey since the 1970s. And now, he’s looking to continue his family’s story with his own pizzeria in Collingswood.
“I wanted to … basically add a new chapter to my family's continued story that started with my grandfathers,” Cusumano said.
Both of his grandfathers, the late Giuseppe Randazzo andSalvatore Cusumano,emigrated from Carini, Sicily, worked construction in Brooklyn, New York, and later openedpizzerias in South Jersey.
This led to Cusumano’s father, Anthony, and his uncleopening Angelo's Pizza in Riverside. The family openedtwo more locations in Mount Laurel. Later, his father branched out and partnered with Cusumano, changing the Riversidelocation to My Angelo's Pizza.
Along withRiverside, My Angelo's Pizza has locations inBerlin and Voorhees.Cusumano owns the Berlin shop andco-owns Voorhees withhis father.
With a family legacy of pizza, Cusumano plans to bring his own style to Haddon Avenue by late spring next year.
“It's going to be focusing more on higher hydration with the dough, longer fermentation,” hesaid. “This is kind of something that I want to pursue as far as me establishing myself in my family's long history of pizzeria owners.”
The new pizzeria will be Cusumano’s “pizza lab,'' offering a version of New York-style pizza throughhis dough experimentation.
He’s grateful to his grandfathers for taking the leap as immigrants to establish themselves, which has led to him being able topursue his dream of owning a pizzeria,. “The name of pizzeria Cusumano is an homage to [them],” Cusumano said. “I was waiting for the right concept to represent the family name.”
Collingswood appealed because of its feeling of community, he said, and asborough residents “know their food,” he hopes to “really wow them and knock their socks off.”
Go: 872 Haddon Ave.;instagram.com/pizzeria_cusumano
Cusumano isn’t the only South Jersey restauranteur looking to wow diners. Here are 12other new spots to visit soon:
CAVA, Moorestown
The Mediterranean eateryis opening a location in the former Zoe’s Kitchen in Moorestown.
Founded byTed Xenohristos, Ike Grigoropoulos, Dimitri Moshovitis andBrett Schulman for parent company CAVA Group, CAVA has locations in 15 states. It owns and operates all national locations.
CAVA offers menu items likefiery Harissa Honey Chicken and Spicy Lamb Meatballs, as well as favorites likeHarissa Avocado Bowl and Chicken & Right Rice Bowl.
Vegan options are available such as roasted white sweet potatoes in a coriander-based spice mix and hand-rolled falafel.
The new location is set to open in late October.
Go:1205 Nixon Dr.;cava.com
Cob Fathers Roasted Corn & BBQ, Runnemede
A new barbecue joint is coming to town.
Cob Fathers Roasted Corn isa food truck, appearing at variouscommunity events to serve just roasted corn.
Now, it’s expanding into a brick-and-mortar restaurant that will also offerbarbecue such as pork ribs, pulled pork, brisket and chicken.Sides on the menu will include cole slaw, potato salad, baked beans andbaked macaroni and cheese, as well as the occasional special.
The take-out only restaurant also will offer delivery.
“I have a corn roaster, that’s what we do... that’s how we got the name Cob Father,” said owner Mike Corsetti, who lives in Runnemede. “We go to Cowtown and we do festivals in different townships. I’m originally from Philadelphia but I’ve been in South Jersey since 1995.”
Corsetti grew up in his family's food business which has included bars, restaurants anddelis. When he came to South Jersey, he owned a pasta manufacturing company, which eventually closed for financial reasons. He went to work for a friend for a while and then had a bar in Philadelphia.
“Now I’m doing this,” said Corsetti, who expects to open in about three weeks in a location that used to be Bridge Deli. “We’ll have corn for sure. Corn on the cob. Roasted corn chowder. Chili, things like that. Everything’s ready to go.”
Go: 68 W. Clements Bridge Road, 856-312-8184; facebook.com/CobFathers
Cocina Oaxaqueña, Buena
Owner Agustin Rameriz brought an authentic Mexican restaurant to town.
The grand opening was Sept. 25.
Rameriz and his wife Sofia bought the 3,800-square-foot building in September 2020. However, with the ongoing pandemic and the need for building renovations, it took nearly a year to open.
Cocina Oaxaqueña isopen seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Recent offerings include consomégoat and seven seas shrimp broth;Mexican Atole, a warm cornmeal drink;and Menudo, orPancita, a traditional Mexican soup made with stomach in broth and a red chili pepper base.
So far, Rameriz said, "we're doing well'' and the tacos and the soups are the most popular items.
Go: 363 E. Wheat Road, 856-839-4451.
Irie Mon Jamaican Restaurant and Take-Out, Haddon Heights
You can never get enough jerk chicken, curry chicken, oxtail, cabbage, beans and rice and beef patties, right?
Irie Mon Jamaican restaurant has signed a lease for space at the Plaza 500 shopping center, located along the Black Horse Pike, according to Vantage Commercial real estate firm.
It will be the fourth restaurant in the center. The eatery will offer classic Jamaican food in a buffet-style, take-out atmosphere when it opens in December.
“I am ecstatic to open Irie Mon Jamaican Restaurant and Take-Out and bring a fresh new option – the flavorful and authentic taste of Jamaica and the Caribbean to the people of Haddon Heights and the surrounding towns,” Irie Mon owner Winsome Douglas said in a press release.
The 1,100-square-foot space previously housed Pho Ha Bac, a Vietnamese eatery, and Mad Crab, a seafood restaurant.
Go: Plaza 500, 507 Black Horse Pike (not opening until December).
Keep it Shrimple, Blackwood
Calling all seafood lovers —Keep it Shrimple is a new seafood restaurant and market in Blackwood.
This is owner Mike Dedja’s third restaurant. He owns The Boiling House in Cherry Hill (with his son Tim Dedja) andBoiling House Express inDeptford.
The new restaurantoffers fried seafood and chicken meals, rice and noodles, pastas, Po’boys, and broils and buckets.
The market has shrimps, mussels, snow and Dungenesscrab, lobster, salmon, cod and flounder displayed for purchase. There also will be "boiling bags" with Dedja's spicesfor at-home broils.
“We are very famous especially in The Boiling House, and now we're using the same ingredients here,” Dedja said. "We’re making actually everything — me and my wife.”
Go: 1661 Blackwood Clementon Road, 856-352-2315; keepitshrimple.com
Manila Cafe 2,Somerdale
This cafein Somerdale is the new sister location to Manila Cafein Mount Laurel, which has been serving the Filipino community for about 11 years.
Owners Neil and Arlyn Baker have partnered with Tom and Ana Calisterio to bring Filipino food and grocery items to Somerdale.
Manila Cafe2 opened on Sept. 11,offering takeout meals. catering and groceries. There are a couple of tables set up at the moment, andCalisterio said they are applying to add dine-in seating.
Offering a similar menu to the Mount Laurelcafe, guests can choose rice or noodles and two sides. Sides include different dishes of pork, beef, chicken and fish like Kalderata (beef stew) and Embutido (pork meatloaf). Therealso are a variety of spring rolls and traditional desserts made from sticky rice and variousroot crops.
“This is a new venture for us, to serve the Filipino community,” said Calisterio. “There are a lot of Filipinos here … I think it's a new and exciting thing.”
Go:20 South White Horse Pike, 856-435-4999;manilacafenj.net
MMT Kitchen, Moorestown
Paula M. Braxton’s new restaurant in the Moorestown Mall pays homage to herchildren.
“The restaurant is named for my three children in age order, so MMT stands for Michelle, Michael and Turquoise, and really it’s (the restaurant) just the creation of cooking for my family,” Braxton shared.
Braxton has experience as a home cook and caterer, so she decided to share recipes she learned from her mother and grandmother with the public.“We just decided that we would push forward and go on a new adventure,” she said.
The menu is soul food without the frying — everything is either baked or roasted. Guests can find menu items includingturkey wings, Cornish hen, salmon, collard greens, string beans, steak, sausage, cornbread stuffing, potato salad, a salad barand more.
A soft opening was held TSept. 17, with agrand opening planned for the end of October.
Go: 400 NJ-38 Unit 1535, 609-479-1981;mmtkitchen.com
Olive Pit Eatery, Marlton
Nazir Kuzbari grew up in the restaurant industry, as his family has owned and operated restaurants for two generations. Now, Kuzbari and his brothers are branching out with Olive Pit Eatery.
Kuzbari's family owned the former El Kima in Cherry Hill and continue to ownCarollo's Little Italy in Moorestown and Pennsauken, Pita Pocket & More in Mount Laurel and pizza shops in Pennsylvania.
“It was just time for me to go out on my own open up my own place,” Kuzbari said. “And it's just me, my little brothers … And it's Middle Eastern-style sandwiches that we're doing.”
The Mediterranean eatery is set to open within two weeksin the Allison Shopping Center in Marlton.
Guests can find appetizers like fried cheese-stuffed phyllo dough, Mediterranean classics includingshawarma, falafel and hummus, and American dishes such ascheeseburgers and cheesesteaks.Halal meat is offered.
There also will be flatbreads topped with Mediterranean ingredients such asza’atar and cheeses.
With all the family businesses in the area, Marlton was a good home for the eatery. “Marlton’s a really, really beautiful town; I love this town,” Kuzbari expressed. “The people here are really nice.''
Go: 27 N Maple Ave.,856-334-5126;olivepitmarlton.com
Pancheros Mexican Grill,Cherry Hill
Mike Yurcho left the financial services business during the 2008 recession and partnered with Jim Kolzow to bring the Midwestern franchise to South Jersey.
They opened locations in Voorhees and West Berlinto offer “good quality burritos,” as Yurcho described them.
The owners aim to open their third location in Cherry Hill — a township they have been looking to be a part of for about eight years— at the end of November.
Pancheros will be a 3000-square-foot restaurant in the Heritage Square Shopping Center with two serving lines —one for sit-down guests and the other for takeout, delivery and online orders. Guests can order burritos, bowls, salads, quesadillas, tacos and more.
“We have some really fun things that set us apart from the other fast-casual Mexican restaurants out there,” Yurcho said.
Go: 1871 Marlton Pike East;pancheros.com
Sandpiper Coastal Bar & Grill, Atlantic City
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has openeda new restaurant that's all about tapas— Sandpiper Coastal Bar & Grill.
It features a240-seat dining room, bar and lounge with Executive ChefJohnZaitoun's menu of spicy musselswith coconut milk, kaffir lime, and Thai chilis; crab-stuffed oysterswith local oysters, lump crab, and Dijon mousseline;and more.
The drink menu offerslocal craft beers,wine, and fruit-forward co*cktails. There also is a seasonal liquor infusion program.
Check out featured drinks like aBourbon MulewithBulleitBourbon, anise-infused syrup, and peach Angostura bitters. Or perhaps aVodka Thyme Lemonadewith Ketel One Citron, fresh lemon, lemon-thyme infused syrup and soda.
The restaurant isopen on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 5:30 to 10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 5 to 11 p.m.
Go:1000 Boardwalk, 609-449-1000;hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com/restaurants
SASS Kitchen & Taco Bar, Hammonton
Everything started with the SASS sauce for April Schenk.
“About five years ago, I was bartending and I started taco night. I was making the tacos, too. I decided I was going to do a fish taco special and I wanted to come up with a sauce ...
“I kind of threw together things I had in my fridge,'' she continued. "I brought it in for the fish tacos. Everybody loved the sauce and they were like, ‘You need to make this every week, we want to use it on the regular tacos.’ It just grew from there.”
She then had the opportunity to buy a food trailer she’d take to local events and festivals.
Her new gourmet taco BYOB restaurantoffers two different types of sauces and a dry rub. The eatery opened Oct. 5and guests can dine in or take out.
One evening the special was a SASSadillas, andjalapeno popper (spicy) was the flavor. It included flour tortilla, fresh jalapenos, cheddar, cream cheese with a side of SASSy warm sauce. Another night, she offered SASS Secret Chili with build-your-own toppings, including cheese, sour cream, bacon and tortilla chips.
A recent red-light special included side items of slaw, cornbread with maple butter, chips and SASSEd spiced rice. Desserts were blueberry pie with walnut crumble and whipped cream and pumpkin pie with whipped cream.
Catering is also available, including “COVID-friendly grazing tables.”
Go: 240 S. White Horse Pike, Unit C-3, 609-992-1084; facebook.com/sasssauce
The Butcher & Grill, Delran
Looking for a meal while you shop for meat? Well, The Butcher & Grill offers to fire up the grill and cook the meat of your choice.
Fatih Simsek opened his halal butcher shop in Delran on July 23.
He offers meats for purchase, as well as takeout meals, though there are a couple of tables set outside for seating. (He's working on adding indoor seating).
Guests can purchase meatand adda grilled item for an additional $3 per pound.Or choose off themenu of meatball sandwiches, chicken orlamb shish kebabs and more.
The 28-year-old, who emigrated from Turkey in 2012, decided to open the shop after visiting a local fish market whereraw seafood was available, as well as cooked meals for an additional charge.
Go: 4004 Route 130 North, Unit 4, 856-255-5257;facebook.com/thebutcherandgrilldelran
And more ...
Red Bowl 88 is anew Asian cuisine restaurant experience at Bally's Atlantic City. Itfocuses on authentic Asian Pacific cuisine by Chef Wong.Signature dishes include seafood and stir-fry,braised oxtail, rice wine drunken chicken and Peking duck. Guests can accessthe restaurant through the casino or boardwalk entrance. Go:1900 Pacific Ave.,609-340-2000;ballysac.com/restaurants/redbowl88
Looking for bubble tea? Kung Fu Tea heldits soft opening onOct. 6. atShoppes at Cinnaminson, according to Facebook. Try milk, fruit and slushie teas like the Coconut Milk Tea, Mango Green Tea and Taro Slush. Go: 195 Route 130 South, Suite 127C, 856-314-8254;facebook.com/KungFuTeaCinnaminson
PDQ Restaurant held its grand opening on Sept. 19 in Marlton. The new location is the third in South Jersey; other locations include Cherry Hilland Sicklerville. Order hand-breaded chicken tenders, signature sauces, hand-crafted sandwiches,hand-spun milkshakes and more. Go:745 NJ-73 South,856-334-5083;eatpdq.com
Hira Qureshi covers food and drink for the Courier Post, Burlington County Times, Daily Journal, Bucks County Times andIntelligencer. She can be reached at HQureshi@gannettnj.com or 856-287-8106. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.
