Tony’s Pizza
, located at 3 Atlantic Ave in Ocean City, MD, has a rich history rooted in the journey of its founder, Antonio “Tony” Bruno Russo. It recently reopened after it closed while the building was redeveloped into a new establishment called “Flamingo Coast,” and Tony’s Pizza is now a stall on the outside of this new building.
Tony Russo emigrated to the United States from Biancavilla, Italy, in 1960. Despite arriving with very little and not speaking English, his strong work ethic led him through various jobs in Baltimore, including H&S Bakery, mechanics, masonry, and barber school. He met his wife, Trudy, while working at Squires Restaurant in Baltimore. Together, they started their entrepreneurial path by opening their first business, Tony’s Pizza, on Wise Avenue in Baltimore.
Tony’s Pizza has been a landmark on the Ocean City Boardwalk since 1962, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022. It was originally a “dark, long, narrow pizza and beer place” before undergoing renovations to add windows, an upstairs area, and transform into a family-friendly establishment. Tony Russo, the beloved founder, passed away in June 2023. The restaurant’s Facebook page shared a heartfelt message from his family, highlighting the special place customers, friends, and family held in Tony and Trudy’s hearts.
