CG Pizza Opens New Restaurant The Bar in New Jersey

As young as 13 years old, Anthony Cardinale and Joseph Pisano have been passionate about the art of pizza making. What started as cooking with a backyard wood-fired oven turned into a growing Italian business. Now, Cardinale and Pisano are proud founders of CG Pizza and their newest restaurant The Bar, located in Sayreville, New Jersey.

CG Pizza began during the pandemic, when the two businessmen decided to take their Italian cooking skills and turn it into something for everyone to enjoy. With time on their hands, they came up with the idea to make a mock restaurant for family and friends to experience at their annual backyard pizza-making gatherings. The men played around with some recipes, made the dough, and got ready to serve their guests. Sure enough, the party was a wild success.

The name, short for Culo Grosso, originates as an ode to Italian American New York slang, as it translates to “big ass.” After their pizza party created a high demand, it was then that CG Pizza was born into a mobile pop-up restaurant. They took inspiration from their homeland Naples, Italy to make the food as authentic as possible. Cardinale and Pisano enjoyed having fun with the names of their pies, such as ‘How the Fig U Doin’ and ‘Whatza Matta You.’ It was important to them that the brand remained lighthearted and fun.

Cardinale and Pisano started with takeout orders during the holidays, but popularity quickly grew. CG Pizza started with a small menu and a handful of customers, but quickly were being booked for private events. By the second year of business, they had three trailers with a bustling brand. Eventually, CG Pizza was brought into the dine-in restaurant scene which has then brought them where they are today.

The Bar experience

Their latest endeavor is The Bar, a restaurant spin-off of CG Pizza featuring a modern twist on Italian bar food. The start of this establishment began when CG Pizza started doing pop-ups in the off season a couple years back. They began positioning themselves to restaurants that appealed to their brand. One establishment they collaborated with was Over Easy Kitchen in Marlboro, who they would become partners with for The Bar.

The owners emphasize the importance of a mom-and-pop atmosphere, as the brand takes from their Nonna’s cooking growing up. The Bar features modern decor, a selection of cocktails, and elevated comfort food. The final menu has recently been released, with items that include calamari, tempura mushrooms, and shoestring fries. Cardinale and Pisano have exciting plans for the future of The Bar and are passionate about making this dining experience unique. With outdoor seating and live music, this is the perfect spot for a casual gathering or a night out. “I want someone to come in and feel like they’re at home,” Cardinale explains.

In order to create that home-like atmosphere they strive for, The Bar aims to welcome its community as much as possible. For the holiday season, the restaurant encourages its guests to help decorate The Bar’s Christmas tree by adding their own ornaments. This is just one of the ways they allow guests to feel a part of The Bar experience. The hope is for their customers to have a place where they feel welcomed and a part of the community. The owners are passionate about creating a sense of camaraderie in their establishment.

What’s next for the restaurant

As the business carries on, the men hope to add as much creativity to the brand and eatery as possible. While the Sayreville location acts as their home base, the future of the company will involve adding more locations throughout New Jersey. The goal is to create a sports bar that emphasizes the best quality for the most comfort. CG Pizza has recently been added to the menu as a special, and they hope to turn the brand into The Bar by CG.

The vision for this brand is to bring an experience unlike any other. It’s not just about opening a restaurant but creating a legacy. Cardinale and Pisano hope for The Bar to act as a cornerstone for the community and a place where people can come together. The Bar is a long-term project for the men, not just a small venture. They hope to one day to pass this company down generations and involve their family’s as much as possible.

The Bar is open daily from 3pm-12am on weekdays and 12pm-1am on weekends. As they continue to expand, guests can expect new menu items and a CG Pizza section. Its staff are eager to make the experience memorable for their customers. If you’re looking for a place with a fun atmosphere, friendly employees, and quality food, The Bar is the perfect spot to try.