Pizza House In Cranford, Where Ray Liotta Worked, Sees 50 Years

CRANFORD, NJ — Now, that's staying power! A Cranford-based pizzeria, where actor Ray Liotta worked in his teen years, celebrates its 50th year in the township this year.

According to a post by the Downtown Cranford organization, Vincent and Ronnie Preziosi started Pizza House/Pizza Chef in Newark in the 1950s. It closed during the next decade, then reopened in Cranford at 111 North Union Ave. in 1970.

Four years later, it moved to Alden Street, then eventually moved again to 123 North Union Ave. in Cleveland Plaza, where it is today.

Ray Liotta is friends with the family and worked in their shop as a teenager, according to the post. In fact, on a photo of the actor hanging on the wall, Liotta has written, "I miss the best pizza on the East Coast!"

Liotta, incidentally, was born in Newark in 1958 and has a big project coming up: the prequel movie to "The Sopranos," which is called "The Many Saints of Newark."

The pizza shop has changed locations over the years but still serves a variety of classic Italian specialties. The site notes, "When Pizza House started in Newark, a slice of pizza cost 35 cents and the restaurant also sold Italian hot dogs. The move to Cranford led to a menu change and the restaurant's focus turned to Italian specialties. The recipes have remained the same for years, with chicken dishes and thin crust pie being the most popular. Pizza House also offers catering and parties can be hosted in the space."

Cranford residents expressed their love for the food after Downtown Cranford posted on Facebook about the anniversary. A former resident wrote, "Best pizza in NJ. After 30 years in Cranford I moved down the shore. No one can beat pizza house."

Some waxed nostalgic about going there after school, or playing the video games. Several remembered working there.

One commenter wrote, "My husband and son have both delivered for them...30 years apart."

Read more here.