Salvatore Anzalone and his daughter Ylenia, both born in Italy, continue to share their family’s love of Italian food in Hillsboro.
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HILLSBOROUGH, N.J. — Family and food have always been at the heart of Joe’s Family Pizzeria & Ristorante, Salvatore “Sal” Anzalone’s business in Hillsboro.
Now, his daughter Ylenia is preparing to follow in his footsteps and take over the restaurant at 856 Route 206 in Hillsboro.
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“I’m the only one carrying on my family’s legacy,” Ylenia told Patch.
Sal was born and raised in Monte di Procida, Italy. It’s also where he learned to cook. At the age of 14, Sal immigrated to the United States and began working with his uncle in a pizzeria.
In 2002, Sal acquired Joe’s Family Pizzeria & Ristorante, renovated it, and created his own menu using his experience in Italy.
“Everything on the menu was his idea,” Ylenia said.
Ylenia, who was also born in Italy, started working with her father after graduating from high school.
“It was supposed to be a summer job, but 11 years later, I’m here and I plan to take over my father’s job one day,” Ylenia said.
Ylenia is currently the manager of a pizzeria, and many people affectionately call her “Little Boss.”
Family is of the utmost importance to the Anzaloni family. Every summer, they try to go to Italy to see their families, and on Tuesdays they all leave to get together.
“My mother is one of nine children and my father is one of six children. As a family, we never do anything alone. It’s all 30 of us. Either we do it or no one does it,” Ylenia said. “Every Tuesday we get together and either my aunt or my dad cooks for everyone. That’s how we show love to each other.”
Sal and Ylenia invite the community to stop by for Brooklyn’s “famous” pizza, salads, wraps, seafood dinners, chicken, veal, subs, and more.
“Everything is homemade: the bread, the dough, the sauces, the soups,” Sal says.
The restaurant is carry-out and offers dine-in, curbside pickup, catering, and rooms for parties.
For more information, visit joesfamilypizzeria.com.
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