Linwood Pizza Cooks Up Best

Upon visiting , Ilene, a three-time-a-week customer and another regular customer approached and said, in harmony, “This is the best place. Are you doing a history?”

"Don’t forget to mention how customers at Linwood Pizza told you that we have been coming here for years and it hasn’t been a disappointment yet. Cathy [the owner’s wife] is so nice and great to talk to," they said.

It all started when Jimmy Missiris, current owner of Linwood Pizza, started working with his father, George, in his pizza place called Mr. Pizza in Fort Lee as a delivery boy. The wages earned from this job helped Jimmy pay for some college bills. 

Jimmy, a Seton Hall graduate with a double major in business and psychology, said, "In 1978 the pizza place was called Mr. Pizza, a franchise consisting of 38 stores on the east coast. The original owner of Mr. Pizza left in 1982 to concentrate more on real estate. After he left, the name was changed to Linwood Pizza.”

Jimmy said his father provided him with a great starting block.

"I took the knowledge and the know how and ran with it," he said, adding that the best part of running the business is establishing a rapport with the customers.

"If we can make them happy, then we are happy," he said.

Even with numerous long-established pizzerias in Fort Lee, Jimmy says competition is a non-factor.

"Everyone in the business helps one another out, whether it is to borrow some flour or lend some cheese," he said.

The economy, however, has been a factor.

"When Kings went out of business, it hurt financially, and I took a hit personally," Jimmy said. "I had to make changes with my menu by adding daily specials as well as with adding to my hours to keep up. I never cut my employees' hours though. I figured the economy would turn around, and I didn't want to hurt them. I look towards the long-term goal and getting better. During these bad times, with the added pressure, and sometimes with negative influences, I’ve come to a resolve I didn’t know I had. All in all, I realize that I have stability, and my customers, of all ethnic backgrounds, come back for more.”                   
Linwood pizza has 14 employees. Among them is the pizzeria's manager, Gus, who has been with the business for 28 years. Jimmy's wife, Cathy, who is still working and for 11 years worked for Jimmy, allowing him to open his other restaurant in Totowa. Pedro, the main "kitchen guy," formerly worked at Fort Lee Bagels on Main Street. Then you have the main "pie guy," Manny, who, when he takes a day off, is sorely missed and asked for by the customers. Anthony Occhipinnti, affectionately known by all as "skywalker," serves customers slices six days a week.

With three children and business being what it is these days, Jimmy said he's advised his two sons not to go into the restaurant business.

"You end up married to your business, with the long hours, being tired all the time and difficulty in making ends meet," he said. "One of my sons is a European trader at CitiGroup. My daughter is a nurse at Hackensack University Medical Center, and my younger son is a freshman at St. Thomas Aquinas. I want my kids to do something that will make them happy and to lead a productive life."

Jimmy keeps Linwood Pizza going with satisfied customers and with loyal help. In doing so, he said, "It’s all about cleanliness, personality, customers, help, good product and reasonable prices."

"I resolve problems fairly and keep customers comfortable," Jimmy said. "Getting to know their personal business and to be willing to do anything for them are the ingredients that keep the business alive.”

After opening up pizzerias over the course of many years, investing in real estate and higher-end restaurants in Manhattan, Jimmy said he's "pulling the reins in, cutting back and concentrating on my Fort Lee business only."

"My brother-in-law and my partner Anthony tend to the other store so it doesn’t require my time," he said. "My future is in Fort Lee and that is where I hopefully will be able to retire from."

Jimmy said he's proud of what he's built in Fort Lee through "relationships with everyone in town."

"My customers, from Maine to Vermont, look forward to coming here," he said. "We are well respected and well known in the industry."

Linwood Pizza, located at 140 Linwood Plaza in Fort Lee, is open 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. seven days a week. Deliveries are made up until 2:30 a.m. Call them at 201-944-6789.