Carluccio's Coal Fired Pizza on Tilton Road in Northfield has been a South Jersey institution for over three decades, and last week it welcomed a notable guest. Governor Mikie Sherrill, wrapping up a business conference in Atlantic City, made a point of stopping at one of the region's most celebrated local businesses before returning to Trenton. Owner Carlo Citera, who has run the beloved triangular-lot pizzeria for 33 years, gave the governor a firsthand look at what has kept locals coming back, including an unforgettable introduction to the art of the toss.
- Citera has operated Carluccio's for 33 years and reportedly serves as many as 1,000 pizzas on a single Friday night in summer
- Governor Sherrill personally slid a pie into the coal-fired oven and shared the experience on her social media page
- Citera confirmed his commitment to the community, telling the governor directly he has no plans to leave until retirement
- The visit came just weeks after a break-in at the pizzeria, an incident Citera addressed with characteristic resilience and community spirit
After 33 years of serving the Downbeach community, Carluccio's remains as much a neighborhood anchor as it is a destination worth seeking out.
By: Nanette LoBiondo Galloway | Downbeach | March 25, 2026
