More than 60 Years of Maruca's Tomato Pies

Maruca’s Tomato Pies, located between the Porter Avenue and Farragut Avenue blocks of the Seaside Park boardwalk, has a six-decade history of developing its own brand of pizza. 

As a family owned and operated pizzeria, Maruca’s dishes out the same pizza the business began with 62 years ago. Operating out of their Seaside kitchen for the past 57 years, Maruca’s continuously contributes to the crowd and popularity of the boardwalk.  

The Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food” helped Maruca’s gain even more recognition and brought in new customers.

But with so many options of pizza on the boardwalk, how do you stand out? Maruca’s is famous for their signature cheese blend and their Trenton style tomato pies.

“We use a blended cheese,” manager and family member Joseph Maruca said.  Maruca returns to the boardwalk everyday to cook up specialty pies and carry out the family business.

“We own and operate,” he said, “This is our job as well as our business.” 

Serious about pizza and even stricter about the recipe, Maruca does not disclose the types of cheeses or ingredients used. He does offer, however, an explanation on Maruca’s signature tomato pies.

“A true tomato pie has no cheese,” Maruca says, “What we serve is a Trenton style tomato pie.” 

The basic structure of the esteemed pizza, according to Maruca, is a secret cheese blend on the bottom and a swirling spiral of sauce on the top. It's the opposite of a regular pizza, with sauce and then cheese on top.

“We are very consistent,” Maruca said.  “We’ve always used the same products: dough, sauce, and blended cheese.”  

Maruca’s has carried great fame and success throughout the years because of their dedication to original ingredients and consistency with quality products, according to Maruca.

The Seaside location remains a mainstay for decades, but the family once had a mainland location that shuttered. In addition to locals and tourists that make up the clientele, you may spot Toms River Councilwoman Maria Maruca stopping by.

Rich Bloomfield decided years ago that Maruca’s is the only place on the boardwalk serving good quality pizza.

“I go to Maruca’s because it tastes completely different than any other pizza on the boardwalk,” Bloomfield says.  “They’ve got their own style, while every other pizza spot tastes exactly the same.”