Grotto Pizza
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1960 in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, United States |
| Founder | Dominick Pulieri, Joseph Paglianite, Mary Jean Paglianite |
| Headquarters | Dover , United States |
Area served | Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania |
Key people | Dominick Pulieri (founder) |
| Products | Pizza, Italian-American cuisine (calzones, strombolis, appetizers, soups, salads, subs, cheesesteaks, burgers, pasta dishes, wings, desserts including gelato) |
| Website | www |
Grotto Pizza is a dining chain that focuses on pizza and other Italian-American fare, mainly operating in Delaware with additional outlets in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Established in 1960 in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, the brand has grown throughout the state and cultivated a devoted customer base among both residents and visitors.
Products
The hallmark of Grotto Pizza is its pizza, which is recognized by a unique sauce swirl layered over the cheese. The menu offers a variety of toppings and specialty pizzas, as well as calzones, strombolis, appetizers, soups, salads, subs, cheesesteaks, burgers, pasta dishes, wings, and desserts including gelato.
Locations
By 2025, Grotto Pizza runs 19 establishments across Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. In Delaware, it covers important areas such as the Delaware Beaches region, Millsboro, Seaford, Milford, Camden, Dover, Middletown, Newark, and Wilmington (with two venues). The chain also operates three stores near Wilkes-Barre in Pennsylvania and two locations in Maryland—specifically in Ocean City and Columbia.
History
Grotto Pizza was founded in 1960 in Rehoboth Beach by Dominick Pulieri along with his relatives Joseph and Mary Jean Paglianite. It started as a take-out stand. Pulieri brought experience from working at Joe's Pizza in Harveys Lake and held a biology degree from King's College (Pennsylvania). Early growth was fueled by offering free samples to both locals and tourists.
The second outlet opened on Rehoboth Beach’s boardwalk in 1963; meanwhile, the original location underwent expansion in 1967. Though initially operating seasonally, Grotto transitioned to year-round service by 1974. The chain has since extended its presence throughout Delaware and neighboring states. It is regarded as a cultural landmark at Delaware beaches and was inducted into the Pizza Hall of Fame in 2015.
Expansion initiatives included launching a Maryland site in Gambrills (which later closed) to penetrate the Baltimore-Washington area—a key market for many beachgoers. To reinforce this approach, a restaurant opened in Columbia, Maryland in 2016.
In 2021, Grotto Pizza enhanced its supply operations by establishing a centralized dough production facility in Dover, Delaware aimed at improving efficiency and streamlining the supply chain.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- 1960 establishments in Delaware
- American companies established in 1960
- Companies based in Sussex County, Delaware
- Italian-American culture in Delaware
- Italian-American culture in Maryland
- Italian-American culture in Pennsylvania
- Pizza chains of the United States
- Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
- Restaurants established in 1960