World Famous ‘Pizza Pope’ with Shore Roots Opening Restaurant

It all started in Pt. Pleasant Beach for Beachwood native Anthony Mangieri. In the late 90s, he opened his first Una Pizza Napoletana. It wasn't soon after that his culinary prowess took him to food meccas like New York and San Francisco.

He'd become known as the "Pizza Pope" and one of the most respected pizza chefs in the world. 15 years later, Anthony is coming home.

Una Pizza Napoletana is opening at 91A 1st Avenue in Atlantic Highlands this summer.

Speaking to APP, the chef said that he loves all of the places he's been, and operating his restaurant in New York, but "I am always proud to say that I am from New Jersey."

The man who has been referred to the Springsteen of artisanal pizza makers is returning to his roots and opening a restaurant in Atlantic Highlands. The newest Una Pizza Napoletana will take the place of the former Julia's on Main Street across from Nicholas Creamery.

Anthony Mangieri told APP that he came from humble beginnings, growing up in an Italian-American family in Beachwood. His father was a union electrician, and his mother was a deputy clerk of the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders for more than 20 years.

You always hear "don't judge a book by its cover." Anthony is a prime example. This tattooed skateboarder considered being a Catholic priest before building his pizza empire.

Now, he enters the kitchen every day to master the Neopolitan pizza. Five simple ingredients: flour, mozzarella, olive oil, tomatoes, and basil. Sounds simple, right? Not so much, as this Jersey Shore "dude" is still perfecting with every pie.