From a Family Recipe
to a Community Icon
It all started with Anthony Maresca's grandmother's recipe — a simple, soulful pizza baked over coal that turned ordinary evenings into celebrations.
Anthony grew up watching his Nonna press dough by hand, toss it with confidence, and slide pies into a blazing coal oven. The smell of char, the crackle of the crust, the sweet-smoky sauce — these were the flavors of childhood. In 2008, Anthony decided to share those flavors with Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Starting with just a single coal oven imported from Naples and a menu written on a chalkboard, Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza earned a loyal following almost overnight. Word spread fast — the crust was unlike anything people had tasted locally. Crispy on the outside, airy on the inside, kissed by 800°F coal heat.
Today, we remain proudly family-owned and operated, still using that same original dough recipe, still hand-selecting our ingredients, and still firing every pizza over real coal — just the way Nonna intended.
What We Stand For
Every decision we make — from ingredient sourcing to how we greet guests — flows from these guiding principles.
Authentic Craft
We never cut corners. Every pie is made by hand with time-honored techniques passed down through generations — no shortcuts, no compromises.
Quality Ingredients
We source the finest San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and locally grown produce — because extraordinary pizza starts with extraordinary ingredients.
Community First
Allentown is our home. We hire locally, support neighborhood events, and are proud to be a place where memories are made at every table.
Guest Happiness
From your first hello to your last bite, we go above and beyond to ensure every visit to Anthony's feels like coming home to family.
Why We Do What We Do
We believe everyone deserves a truly great pizza — made with real ingredients, fired the right way, and shared with people they love.
Our Vision
To be the most celebrated coal fired pizzeria in the Lehigh Valley — a place where tradition meets creativity and every guest leaves happier than when they arrived.
Our Mission
To craft exceptional coal fired pizza using time-honored recipes and the highest-quality ingredients, served in a warm, welcoming environment that feels like family.
Our Promise
Every pie we fire, every topping we add, and every guest we serve gets the full care and attention your experience deserves. That's a promise we keep every single day.
A Legacy Built Over Time
From a single coal oven to a Lehigh Valley institution — here are the milestones that define our story.
The First Flame
Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza opens its doors at 750 N Krocks Rd, Allentown. One coal oven. One family. One dream. The line forms before we even unlock the door.
Best Pizza in Lehigh Valley
Just two years in, we're awarded "Best Pizza in Lehigh Valley" by the Morning Call Readers' Choice Awards — an honor we'd go on to win four more times.
Dining Room Expansion
Demand outgrows our original space. We expand the dining room, add a second coal oven, and welcome our first dedicated events area for private parties and catering.
Farm-to-Table Commitment
We formalize our partnerships with local Pennsylvania farms, pledging to source seasonal produce within 50 miles. Our seasonal specials menu launches to rave reviews.
10,000th Guest Celebration
We celebrate serving our 10,000th loyal guest with a block party — live music, free pies for the neighborhood, and a heartfelt thank-you from the entire Maresca family.
Online Ordering Launches
We bring the coal fired experience home with our new online ordering platform — making it easier than ever to enjoy Anthony's from wherever you are in the Lehigh Valley.
Still Burning Bright
Over 15 years, 50,000+ guests, and countless memories later — the coal still burns, the dough is still hand-tossed, and Nonna's recipe still lives in every single pie we make.
The People Behind the Pie
Our team is our greatest ingredient. Passionate, skilled, and dedicated to making every guest's experience unforgettable.
Anthony Maresca
The heart of the operation. Anthony has been perfecting his Nonna's coal fired recipe since childhood and built this restaurant from the ground up with passion and grit.
Rosa Maresca
Anthony's wife and business partner, Rosa runs the day-to-day operations with precision and warmth. She ensures every guest is treated like a member of the family.
Marco DiLuca
Trained in Naples and Philadelphia, Marco brings classical Italian technique to our kitchen. He oversees our menu development and ensures consistency in every dish we serve.
Sophia Reyes
Sophia leads our front-of-house team with infectious energy and a genuine love for hospitality. She's the reason first-time guests always become regulars.
Interested in joining our passionate team?
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