There’s something about the scent of pizza pie wafting in the crisp autumn breeze that makes it an extra tantalizing treat this time of year. Perhaps, here in Wildwood, it has to do with the way the ingredients mix with the cool salt air; it could be that the aromas are accentuated by the lack of competing sensations on the Boardwalk during these quieter days.
As we roll into mid-October and the heart of fall, the number of seasonal businesses still open along the wooden way is rapidly dwindling, along with the opportunity to grab those precious final slices of the year and/or pies to freeze for the winter.
Morey’s Piers is officially closed for the year and the next phases of the Boardwalk Reconstruction Project have already begun, with the approximately four-block stretch between Oak & Spicer Avenues (including the Cedar Avenue Connector) fenced off to the public. Businesses in those areas will not be able to reopen, at least by conventional means, until work is completed in the spring.
By our count, at least three Boardwalk pizzerias will be open this weekend (Oct. 13-15) - Mack’s Pizza, Franconi’s Pizza and Sam’s Pizza, with only the latter scheduled to be open next weekend (Oct 20-22) as well…
A “bonus” weekend at Mack’s
Mack’s Pizza (3208 Boardwalk) had originally set its final day of the season to be last Sunday, October 8. But, after many of us had enjoyed and posted photos of our “last slices” of the year, came a surprise announcement.
“As we were closing tonight, thinking it’s the last day of the season, we realized we have dough left,” the famed pizza house posted to its official Facebook page. “So, we will be open next weekend (Oct 13 & 14) til we run out of dough!”
Opening times have been set for 4 pm on Friday, October 13 and 11 am on Saturday, October 14. There are no firm closing times for either day as that will depend on supply and demand. Keep this in mind if you’re planning to stop by.
Also note that this only applies to Mack’s Wildwood Avenue location (aka “The Original”), as the Roberts Avenue shop has been closed for a few weeks.
When the ovens are finally turned off this weekend, Mack’s will be wrapping up its 71st season on the Boardwalk!
Franconi’s season finale
This weekend will also be the last of the year for Franconi’s Pizza (3318 Boardwalk), a family-owned eatery that has garnered an enthusiastic following in recent years despite being much “younger” than some of its storied counterparts.
Access may be a little different this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, depending on the aforementioned Boardwalk Renovation Project. Though offseason work is set to begin just south of Franconi’s corner perch at Oak Avenue, the adjoining street access ramp will likely be fenced off. If so, the restaurant will be accessible from any point north on the Boardwalk, with the closest ramp being one block up at Wildwood Avenue.
Franconi’s generally opens at 10 am and will serve food well into the evening hours, depending on business and weather conditions, of course.
Two weekends to go at Sam’s
Sam’s Pizza Palace (2600 Boardwalk) just moved from an everyday schedule and will be open for the next two weekends. Its final day of the year will be Sunday, October 22.
Hours are subject to chance, but are presently set for 10:30 am - 8 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10:30 am - 5 pm on Sunday, for both weekends.
As has become tradition, the iconic pizzeria on the Wildwood/North Wildwood border will be among the last of its contemporaries to close for the season and the first to reopen next year.
Sam’s will take a roughly four-month break before returning (for weekends only) on the Friday leading into Presidents Day Weekend - February 16, 2024.
No comments:
Post a Comment