A vintage refrigerator full of glass soda bottles stands in the dining room of a pizza shop. Nearby, an old TV plays classic movies on a VCR, right next to cozy armchairs.
The whole room was designed to feel like the owner’s grandmother’s 1970s home. Wood paneling, retro couches, a Pac-Man machine, and an old wooden phone booth all share the space.
What gets me is the reason behind it. The owner never met his grandmother, so he recreated the feel of her home and filled the walls with family photos.
It’s a tribute you can sit down inside.
And then there’s the food. This New Jersey spot sells whole pies only, no slices, and no changes to the recipes.
I’d happily drive across the state for one of those pies.
You’ll Swear Someone’s Grandma Is About To Offer You A Plate
Most pizza shops greet you with a counter and a menu board. Casano’s Pizza Parlor greets you with what looks like a living room straight out of the 1970s.
The dining area was designed to reflect the home of owner Dave Ligas’s grandmother. That means wood paneling, upholstered armchairs, and vintage couches where you’d normally find plastic booths.
The TV setup is a favorite detail for a lot of folks. An older tube TV sits on top of a console TV, and classic movies play on a VCR.
Yep, actual tapes.
Then there’s the vintage refrigerator stocked with glass soda bottles. It looks like the kind of fridge that held decades of family leftovers and birthday cakes.
The funny part is how normal it feels to eat pizza on a couch here. At most grandmothers’ houses, you’d get a stern look for even trying that.
Fair warning, the room is small, so it fills up fast. Still, even a quick peek inside is worth it before grabbing your pie to go.
It’s the rare restaurant where the decor gets as much attention as the dinner. Honestly, that’s saying a lot in pizza-obsessed New Jersey.
The Real Story Behind The Name Will Tug At Your Heart
Every name on a sign has a story, and this one is personal. Marie Rene Casano was Dave Ligas’s grandmother, and she was the last in the family to carry the Casano name.
She lived during the 1970s, but Dave never got the chance to meet her. So he built a pizza parlor that celebrates her memory and the warmth of her home.
Look closely at the walls when you visit. Photos of Dave’s grandparents, especially his grandmother, are displayed around the dining room.
Those pictures change how the whole place feels. Suddenly the armchairs and old TVs aren’t just a fun theme, they’re part of a family history.
I have to admit, that’s the detail I can’t get over. A grandson who never met his grandmother still found a way to share her with an entire town.
Her influence even shows up on the menu. The meatballs are listed as Grandma Marie’s third-generation recipe, which keeps her presence in the kitchen too.
It’s a sweet reminder that restaurants can carry real meaning. Here, every pie comes with a little bit of family love baked right in.
Order A Whole Pie Because Slices Are Off The Table
Walk up asking for a single slice, and you’ll leave a little surprised. Casano’s sells full pies only, and that’s a firm house rule.
The idea fits the whole grandma’s-house concept. Families don’t split a dinner into separate plates at the start, they pass the food around the table.
Another rule might raise an eyebrow or two. The menu notes that pizzas can’t be altered, so each pie arrives exactly the way the kitchen designed it.
Some people love customizing everything, I get it. But think of it like eating at a relative’s house, where the cook already knows what tastes best.
Ordering works mostly online, so plan ahead before you head over. The restaurant encourages customers to order online or in person, making it worth planning ahead before stopping by.
Crust gets a lot of love at this spot. The pies have a crisp, charred bottom that holds up without flopping, which is a big deal for New Jersey pizza fans.
My advice is simple: bring a friend or two. A whole pie disappears quicker with company, and sharing is kind of the point anyway.
These Pies Deserve A Spot On Your Must-Try List
Crooked slices are a feature here, not a mistake. The New Haven Tomato Pie gets cut imperfectly on purpose, just like the classic Connecticut style calls for.
That pie is a great place to start your visit. It’s simple, saucy, and shows off the crust that many fans seem to rave about.
Feeling adventurous? The French Onion pie swaps tradition for caramelized onions and sprinkles of Gruyere cheese.
Now that is a clever twist on a soup bowl favorite. You get all the cozy flavors without needing a spoon or a crock.
Stracciatella shows up on several pies too. This creamy, shredded cheese pairs with a mozzarella blend, basil, freshly grated pecorino, and extra virgin olive oil.
The menu also includes a Long Hot and Shallot pie with homemade vodka sauce, chopped long hots, shallots, and pecorino. Spice lovers, that one’s calling your name.
With so many choices, picking just one feels a little unfair. Maybe that’s why ordering two pies seems like the smartest move in the building.
Save Room Because The Chicken Parm Steals The Show
Pizza may be the headliner, but the chicken parm might be the scene-stealer. The Chicken Parm Stracciatella features a chicken cutlet topped with creamy stracciatella and your choice of sauce.
It’s one of the most talked-about dishes on the menu. Folks often order it alongside a pie, and few seem to regret that choice.
Craving something lighter? The Caesar salad comes with homemade croutons, which adds a nice crunch next to all that cheese.
You can also order a chicken Caesar, where the cutlet joins the salad. That’s a smart pick for anyone who wants greens and comfort food at once.
Grandma Marie’s meatballs bring the family story to the side dish lineup. Stuffed long hots are also on the menu for anyone who likes a little heat.
Sandwich fans should check out the cheesesteak. It’s built with sliced ribeye, caramelized onions, and Cooper sharp cheddar cheese.
The menu stays focused on Italian-American comfort food. Nothing feels random, and everything seems made to share around a crowded coffee table.
Somebody Built A Phone Booth Into The Pizza Shop
An old wooden phone booth stands right inside the dining room. Inside, there’s even a vintage payphone, the kind most kids today have only seen in movies.
That booth isn’t the only throwback waiting for you. A classic Pac-Man machine adds an arcade touch to the cozy living room setup.
Movie choices fit the mood perfectly too. Mob classics have been spotted playing on the old TV, which feels oddly right for a New Jersey pizza place.
Little extras make the space feel lived in. Some visitors have even noticed matchbooks around, like the kind once tucked into every kitchen drawer.
What gets me is how many details are packed into such a small room. You could visit several times and still notice something new on each trip.
Kids seem to get a kick out of the vintage gear. Parents and grandparents, meanwhile, might find themselves pointing out things they once owned.
Bring your phone camera, ironically enough. Between the booth, the arcade game, and the stacked TVs, this place was practically made for photos.
From Delivery Driver To Pizza Dreamer
Dave Ligas didn’t start his pizza career behind the oven. He began as a delivery driver, learning how the business worked one order at a time.
His kitchen debut happened almost by accident. During one shift, a cook unexpectedly left, so Dave stepped in to help.
That moment changed everything for him. He’s a self-taught cook who built his skills from there, pie after pie.
In fall 2023, he announced plans to transform the former Top That Donuts space into Casano’s Pizza Parlor, which opened in 2024. He transformed it into Casano’s, a place shaped by his love of comfort food and family.
I’d say that’s a pretty great origin story. Going from dropping off pizzas to running your own shop takes real grit.
Dave is also known for being a friendly presence around the shop. He often sits outside chatting with customers and neighbors walking by.
That personal touch matches the restaurant’s whole vibe. It feels less like a chain and more like a neighborhood spot run by someone who truly cares.
Honestly, it’s the kind of success story every small town loves to cheer for.
Grab A Lawn Chair Out Front And Stay A While
Old-school lawn chairs line the sidewalk outside, and they set the tone before you even reach the door. It feels like a backyard cookout moved to the front of a pizza shop.
You’ll find Casano’s Pizza Parlor at 8 Highland Cross, Rutherford, NJ 07070. It’s a compact spot, so plenty of people order ahead for takeout.
The outdoor seating adds extra room on nice days. Some folks wait out front for friends while enjoying a salad or a pie.
Rutherford sits in Bergen County, not far from the Meadowlands. That makes it a handy stop before or after a big game or concert.
Timing matters, so check the schedule before heading over. The shop is closed Mondays and Tuesdays and open Wednesday through Sunday.
Sunday hours end earlier than the rest of the week too. Planning ahead saves you from staring sadly at a locked door.
Neighbors stopping to chat out front give the block a friendly feel. I can see why the sidewalk scene is part of the charm here.
Your Pizza Order Can Help Families In Need
Good pizza feels even better when it helps someone. Casano’s Pizza Parlor supports cancer awareness efforts in honor of Marie Rene Casano.
Dave sees this cause as a big part of his family’s story. So it naturally became part of the restaurant’s story too.
One example involves the New Haven Tomato Pie. A portion of its sales goes to the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund, which helps families facing childhood cancer.
The cheesesteak pitches in as well during certain months. In October and November, proceeds from every cheesesteak sold have supported a local American Cancer Society Relay for Life team.
That team is organized by the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce. It’s a nice example of a small business teaming up with its own town.
The shop even marked its first anniversary with a block party. That celebration benefited a nonprofit organization, which says a lot about its priorities.
And that might be my favorite detail of all. A restaurant built to honor a grandmother keeps giving back in her name across New Jersey.
Ordering that tomato pie suddenly feels like a pretty easy decision.
