By Ginny Privitar
WEST MILFORD ‑‑ Nunzio's Pizza owner Mike Schinina said, "I've always been in pizza since I was a kid."
That doesn't mean he's literally up to his elbows in sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni, it means he's always worked in the business and now he finally owns his own pizzeria.
"The opportunity came up with a store for rent and it's what I always wanted to do," he said.
Located on Lake Shore Drive in Hewitt, the eatery is named for his grandfather Nunzio. Nunzio is also Schinina's middle name.
He did have a break for about 10 years when he worked as an X-ray machine technician in service, then sales, for A Walsh Imaging in Pompton Lakes.
He sold $100,000-$200,000 digital X-ray equipment to orthopedists, chiropractors and veterinarians.
Schinina even serviced Jets' and Giants' team equipment for a year.
"I was on the field for every home game," he said, "It was awesome. I loved it."
But business slowed and those expensive machines could eventually be had for $10,000 instead of six figures. There were fewer calls for sales and repair and Schinina decided to go back to what he loved.
"Pretty much it's pizza or X-ray," he said, when asked if he had other jobs.
Born in Ringwood, the West Milford resident comes from a big Italian family and learned his way around a kitchen by watching his mother and grandmother cook.
"I always watched my mom cooking. She and my grandmother were a big influence on my being in cooking," he said. "During the holidays I always watched my mom cook and I still use my mom's sauce recipe."
His family originally came from Sicily and he serves Sicilian-style food.
Schinina says he's the only local pizza maker who puts 100 percent olive oil and crushed fresh garlic on all the pizza crusts.
He uses fresh basil and garlic in his sauces, while other places use powders. "I use the best ingredients; the best cheese money can buy," he said. And quality ingredients make for exceptional food.
All different types of regular and gourmet pizza are available as well as Sicilian-style dishes and seafood. Chicken Francese is a customer favorite, Schinina says.
Nunzio's offers a full selection of appetizers; salads; pasta; chicken; veal; cheese steaks; seafood; hot and cold subs; wraps, paninis; calzones and Stromboli.
In finding his passion in his own business, Schinina also found a business partner. He met Debra Sauerman when she came into the pizzeria as a customer.
Sauerman remembered their first meeting. "I was working and hadn't eaten yet and went in for slice before I passed out from hunger," she said. Schinina remembered her original order and chimed in, "Sausage slice with ricotta on it." Sauerman continued, "We got to talking and we knew a lot of the same people. Funny how our circles overlapped and we had never met before."
They talked and talked. She is now working on the business end of the restaurant while Schinina continues to handle the cooking. You might say they go together like a great pizza with ricotta.
If you go:Nunzio's Pizza
396 Lake Shore Drive
Hewitt, N.J.
Phone: 973-749-6888
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 3-9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: noon-10 p.m.
Sunday: noon – 9 p.m.
Ed. Note: A full menu is available on Facebook