Joe Santucci’s Square Pizza
Joe Santucci’s Square Pizza is a business used to embarking on uncharted territory. Owner Joseph N. Santucci, in 1959, revolutionized pizza-making by serving up his legendary square pizza topped with homemade tomato “gravy.”
Sixty years later, his son, Joseph Jr., and wife Nadine, continue the Joe Santucci legacy, serving up the original Joe Santucci pizza recipe. The family owns and operates several pizzeria locations throughout the Philadelphia area.
Most recently, the family opened its newest Joe Santucci’s Square Pizza in the IHOP shopping center on Lincoln Highway in Falls Township. With the pizzeria’s opening on March 14 – during the COVID-19 pandemic - the family is navigating through a challenging start to its latest venture.
“People have been really supportive of us,” said Randy Allen, who serves as general manager of the Falls location. “People are ordering, but not as much.”
Given that the new location does not have a dining room and offers only food takeout and delivery, Allen is hopeful it will bounce back quickly once things get back to normal and social distancing restrictions are lifted. In addition, many of the pizzeria’s lower Bucks County customers had regularly traveled to the Philadelphia location on Knights and Woodhaven roads. Having a shop in their own backyard is much more convenient.
Besides being known for its square, Sicilian-style pizza with cheese on the bottom and sauce on top, Allen said it’s “consistency and quality” that sets Joe Santucci’s Square Pizza apart from other pizzerias. Some other Joe Santucci’s specialties include homemade roast pork, meatball parm sandwiches, chicken wings, chicken tenders, fries and a wide selection of gourmet pizzas. Gluten-free pizza and cauliflower crust pizza are also available.
Catering options will be available soon, Allen said.
Because Joe Santucci’s is in the same shopping center as Slack’s Hoagie Shack, hoagies are not on their Falls menu. Since most customers call on Joe Santucci’s for pizza, the no hoagie rule does not seem to be a deal-breaker.
Allen too, is all about the dough. He started working for Joseph Jr. 18 years ago when he was 13 or 14 years old. His first job: “dough guy.”
“I’ve been with Joe ever since,” Allen said.
A self-described “computer guy,” Allen said he enjoys working with his hands and has a passion for the pizza-making business.
Allen looks forward to navigating the shop once things return to normal. On Friday nights to come, he envisions being staffed with 10 to 12 employees and ready for the flurry of takeout and delivery calls. In the meantime, Joe Santucci’s Square Pizza offers curbside pickup and delivery.
To learn more
Joe Santucci’s Square Pizza is located at 110 Lincoln Highway Suite 9 (in the IHOP shopping center), Fairless Hills. Curbside pickup and delivery are currently available Tuesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Once the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, the business hours will be Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. To view a menu or place an order, visit http://www.joesantuccisquarepizza.com/ or call 215-945-9300.