A 2013 video showing Mr. Pizza Slice owner Steve Napolitani leaving the business for the last time on the day of his retirement.
By BRIAN DONOHUE
Raise a slice to a Red Bank local legend.
Steve Napolitani, who owned and operated Mr. Pizza Slice at 10 Monmouth Street for 44 years before retiring in 2013, died on Christmas Eve.
Napolitani, 76, was honored with a funeral mass at St. Michael’s Church in Long Branch and an obituary that summed up what Red Bank meant to Mr. Pizza Slice – and what Mr. Pizza Slice meant, and still means, to Red Bank:
“Being a proud business owner in Red Bank, he had so many people pass through his doors,” the obit reads. “Every single person made an impact on him & he on them. He learned from them & they learned from him. Everyone that knew him knows he made everyone feel special. “
“He truly had a gift,” the obit continues. “He remembered everyone that came in, their name, birthday, their whole families’ birthdays, their anniversaries, what they order & their whole family history & life story.”
A former US Army cook, Napolitani opened Mr. Pizza slice in 1969 at age 21. If you live in Red Bank, you know enough about the place that we don’t have to tell you what a cherished institution it has become, especially amid the tidal wave of upscale eateries the last two decades have brought.
And so, having learned a bit late of his passing, we headed to Mr. Pizza Slice ourselves.
For a slice, of course.
But also to see if there was any sign of his passing – a photo, or flowers – or someone to chat with to get a proper quote about his legacy.
Call it serendipity, or something else, but we did far better.
There in the back dining room, enjoying a slice in their father’s old place, were his son and daughter, Jodi Napolitani and Steve Napolitani Jr.
Steve Napolitani Jr. and Jodi Napolitani, son and daughter of Steve Napolitani who owned and operated Mr. Pizza Slice on Monmouth Street for 44 years. (photo by Brian Donohue)
“We were here all the time growing up,’’ Jodi Napolitani said. “We just came by for a slice, and to say hi to Victor.”
Victor, as in, Victor Carrillo, the guy who worked alongside Steve Sr. for years and is still working the ovens making pizzas the way Napolitani taught him, with a few of his own twists.
Victor Carrillo inside Mr. Pizza Slice Thursday (photo by Brian Donohue)
As Jodi and Steve Jr. headed out, Carrillo told them their meal was on the house. They insisted on paying, meeting his appreciation with their respect.
And, then, Victor dropped a bit of news on us: In September, he said, he bought the business himself.
It had been purchased in 2016 by husband and wife Nick Napoletano and Erica Lieberman and Carrillo has continued working there. Napoletano, however, stressed the sale had not been finalized. Asked if he had sold the restaurant, he replied, “That’s one way to say it.”
Asked to elaborate, he said, “It’s still under negotiations.”
Differing accounts on the status of the sale aside, Carrillo said his purchase would bring full circle something that began when he first started working for Steve Napolitani when Napolitani’s wife Geri fell ill and could not work at Mr. Pizza Slice any more. She passed away in 2005.
“He was a good friend, Carrillo said of Napolitani. “I loved him a lot, with all the time we spent working together. I’m thankful to God that he opened the doors to this job for me, and for that I’m always going to remember him. I am grateful to him and may he rest in peace.”
Victor Carrillo, current owner of Mr. Pizza Slice (left) and business founder Steve Napolitani, who died Christmas Eve. (photo courtesy of Victor Carrillo)
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331 or yelling his name loudly as he walks by. Do you value the news coverage provided by redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you haven’t already. Click here to set your own level of monthly or annual contribution.
