07/12/2026
Some birthdays come and go.
But some mark the moment everything changed.
Today is one of those days—a day that celebrates not just my father, Salvatore Russo, but the beginning of a journey that would shape our family’s future for generations. Today is his birthday, and it also marks the 52nd Anniversary of Riccardo’s Pizza—a story that began with one bold decision and a leap of faith that changed our lives forever.
On this very day in 1974, my dad was just 25 years old. He wasn’t a businessman with deep pockets or a chain of restaurants. He was simply a young man with a dream, an incredible work ethic, and the courage to bet on himself.
He opened a tiny 900-square-foot pizzeria next to the old Cumberland Farms on Lakehurst Road in Browns Mills—a small town that few people outside the area had ever heard of. There were no guarantees. No investors. No roadmap. Just faith, determination, and a willingness to outwork everyone around him.
Fifty-two years later, Riccardo’s Pizza is still proudly serving this community from that very same location where it all began. What started as a small neighborhood pizzeria in an unknown town has grown into a nationally acclaimed destination, welcoming guests from across New Jersey and far beyond.
What started as one young man’s dream has become three generations of the Russo family serving a community that has given us more love and support than words can ever express.
But what amazes me the most isn’t the recognition, the awards, or how far Riccardo’s Pizza has come…
It’s that at 78 years old, my father still walks through those doors every single day with the very same determination he had when he was 25.
He still works alongside people half his age—and many days, he outworks them.
The same fire.
The same pride.
The same relentless work ethic.
He has never asked anyone to do a job he wouldn’t do himself. He leads by example, and after all these years, he still loves serving our customers as much as he did on opening day.
For 52 years, we’ve watched first dates become marriages, children grow into parents, grandparents bring in grandchildren, military heroes come home, and neighbors become lifelong friends. Riccardo’s Pizza has never just been a restaurant.
It’s been a second home.
It’s been a gathering place.
It’s been part of the fabric of Browns Mills.
Dad, thank you for taking that chance as a 25-year-old young man. Thank you for every sacrifice, every long day, every sleepless night, and every lesson you’ve taught us. You didn’t just build a pizzeria—you built a legacy.
A legacy that started with one small pizza shop in Browns Mills and, through honesty, hard work, and unwavering dedication, became a nationally acclaimed restaurant without ever forgetting its roots.
To our loyal customers, friends, employees, and this incredible community—thank you. Every award, every milestone, and every achievement belongs to you just as much as it belongs to our family. You believed in us from the very beginning, and for that, we will always be grateful.
If you’re in the area today, stop by, grab a slice, and wish him a happy birthday—it would mean the world to him.
Happy Birthday, Dad.
Happy 52nd Anniversary to Riccardo’s Pizza.
Here’s to the man who proved that one leap of faith, backed by hard work, integrity, and heart, can change generations.
We love you, Dad.
Much love and respect,
Vito Russo & the Russo Family ❤️🍕
