Meet Frank Morale: Owner of Anthony John's Pizzeria

A large pizza pie and stuffed rolls sit on the front counter, garlic and oregano wafting straight towards the door. "Diet? What diet?" I ask myself, perusing the crispy rolls. It's understated gems like these that become a regular spot for the lucky crowd who have been fortunate enough to find .

It's like "Cheers," everyone knows one another's name. If owner Frank Morale doens't know your name when you walk in, he'll know it by the time you leave. He greets me, his heavy, Brooklyn accent betraying his origins and graces North Branford Patch readers with a look inside his life at the pizzeria. 

North Branford Patch: What do you enjoy most doing business in North Branford?

Frank Morale: I like the people here; very pleasant.

North Branford Patch: Are you from North Branford?

Morale: No, I’m from Brooklyn. I came here in 1981 to help and I never left. I opened up this place on May 7, 2010.

North Branford Patch: What makes your business unique?

Morale: The quality. You know, I could buy the inexpensive ingredients, but we get the good stuff. It’s family-run, me and my son. The recipes I use are from what I learned as a kid. You get nice portions, too.

North Branford Patch: What brought you into this business?

Morale: I’ve been cooking for 37 years now since I was 13. It’s not for everyone, it’s long hours, but I love it. It was my son who pushed me [to run his own business], he said, ‘Why do it for someone else? Do it for yourself.’

North Branford Patch: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Morale: I spend time with my granddaughter, that’s what I do on my days off. You just missed her, I wish she was here. We’ll go to the park; she’ll be one year old on the 28th. She cracks me up. I could be having the worst day and she just cheers me up.

North Branford Patch: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Morale: I love it, we open for 11, but I’m here at seven until 10 at night. Hearing people say, ‘We had your food at this party and it was great.’ It’s not just about making money, it’s about building something.

North Branford Patch: What do you want your customers to know about your business?

Morale: We’re here to please people. We’re here to be part of the community. I want people to be happy with us; not just a business relationship, like, ‘Here’s your food, give me your money, now get out,’ more like we’re friends. I try to do something for everyone who walks in that door.