Fort Lee Pizza Approaches 40 Years

has been at at the same location on Lemoine Ave. for 39 years where an establishment known as the Coytesville Diner, which at the time was in the Coytesville section of Fort Lee, once stood.

Coming to the U.S. in 1948 from Cosenza, Italy (Calabria region), Benny Pulice first owned a pizza place in Leonia, and then Pearl River.

Pulice knew that the Coytesville Diner in Fort Lee was run down and  standing on an empty lot. He negotiated a deal with the landlord, fixed up the space and opened his own business in 1973, Fort Lee Pizza.  Pulice has been a resident of Fort Lee for 25 years.

Pulice was paying $150 a month in rent, sold pizza for 25 cents a slice  and the PSE&G bill was only $350 a month back in 1973. Those were the days!

"Merchandise and supply are so high," Pulice said. "Cheese is almost $3 a pound, it used to be 60 cents. Flour is also sky high. We always served pizza, sandwiches and drinks."

Pulice still makes appearances at the pizza place these days. Asked about his involvement, he said, "I open up every day and prepare the sauce and the dough. That way when my son, Rick, comes in, everything is ready. My wife, Maria and son are now the owners, and make a living. Maria is the backbone of the business. John has been here for 18 years and helps keep the place together. We also have a great crew that helps out business"

He went on to describe his business philosophy as follows:

"If you buy the best quality ingredients, you come up with the best tasting Italian food."

Pulice also told Patch about his involvement in the community.

"We are the neighborhood pizzeria," he siad. "We helped out the National Guard on September 11. We help out with different fundraising events with the high schools, churches and are always part of the Fort Lee and Englewood Cliffs school pizza programs. We always get involved during the Feast of St. Rocco."

On the subject of the future, Pulice said, "Even though the world is changing, we continue to please our customers with my wife's original, old-time recipes. We haven't changed any since 1973."

Pulice said his parents put three kids through college "and continued to work every day with no vacations for seven years, seven days a week."

"Its a family tradition," Pulice said when ask what keeps him motivated. "I have my CPA and a real estate license, but tradition is more important. Somebody has to run the show and my parents are up in years. Business thrives because of the fact our customers are like family, we know them by name, address and what they order. We have people that never look at the menu and just order. They are the regulars."

Sacrifices have been plenty for Pulice and his family.

"My family complains that I'm not around enough," he said. "I have one daughter in college and one on the way. They would like to see me when they are home. When I am able to get home early, I make their night. It's not easy putting in the hours the job requires."

Fort Lee Pizza offers a complete Italian menu featuring varied, delicious pizza, Italian entrees, hot and cold sandwiches, salads and more. You won't be disappointed.

Fort Lee Pizza is located at 2469 Lemoine Ave.; 201-947-2420.