Our Story
How it all started
Dedication and Pride
Riccardo’s Italian Restaurant was founded in 1974 by Salvatore Russo, who arrived from Palermo, Sicily with $50 in his pocket and a dream to bring authentic Italian flavors to America. Starting out washing dishes and making pizzas in a small Queens pizzeria, Salvatore worked tirelessly seven days a week, learning every aspect of Italian cooking while dreaming of opening his own restaurant.
On his 25th birthday, Salvatore opened the doors to Riccardo’s Pizza in Browns Mills, NJ. The original 900-square-foot restaurant seated just 15 guests, but every pizza, pasta, and hoagie was made from scratch with the finest ingredients and served with a warm smile. Over the years, Riccardo’s became a beloved local spot known for its authentic flavors and family-friendly atmosphere.
I’m Vito Russo, Salvatore’s son and the current chef and owner. I grew up working alongside my father, learning the craft and sharing in the dedication it takes to deliver the best Italian food. Together, we overcame challenges, including a fire that destroyed the original restaurant, and rebuilt Riccardo’s into the thriving 2,400-square-foot space it is today.
Though my father no longer cooks every day, his recipes and values remain at the heart of Riccardo’s. Our mission continues: to serve authentic Italian food made with care, to welcome every guest like family, and to honor the legacy of hard work, passion, and dedication that started it all.
Vito Russo
Our History
Timelines of Pizzeria
Salvatore arrives to USA
arrived from Palermo, Sicily with $50 in his pocket and a dream to bring authentic Italian flavors to America.
Riccardo’s Italian Restaurant
On July 12th 1974, my father, Salvatore Russo, celebrated his 25th birthday by opening Riccardo’s Pizza. It was located at its present location on 567 Lakehurst Road next to the old Cumberland Farms from which he rented and directly across from the Country Lakes entrance which still had dirt roads at the time.
Comeback after fire
We purchased the current building as-is and rebuilt it into the Riccardo’s you know today, creating the space that has welcomed our community ever since.
On January 24 1994 we reopen
The ‘new’ Riccardo’s stood 2400 sq feet strong and to this day holds 100+ people. It was built with a dining room & the menu was expanded. It was a far cry from the original Riccardo’s which only held 15 people!
We celebrated 40th Anniversary
Riccardo’s is celebrating 40 years of business July 12th, 2014 and we thank the town of Browns Mills with that grace everyday as we stand in front of that pizza oven.