Ever seen a pizza that does everything backwards? Meet New Jersey’s square pie where sauce sits on top of the cheese like a delicious rebellion .
The crust is thick but not doughy, the edges caramelize in the pan, and every bite hits your tongue in reverse order, sauce first, then cheese, then that golden crust .
People thought the Santucci family was crazy when they flipped the script back in 1959, but 60 years later, South Jersey cannot get enough of this upside down magic.
One slice of this Philly born, Jersey adopted square will make you a believer.
A Pizza Style That Breaks All the Rules
Most people grow up thinking pizza has a set formula: dough, sauce, cheese, done. Santucci’s quietly threw that rulebook out the window back in 1959, and honestly, it worked out better than anyone expected.
The signature style places the cheese directly on the dough, then layers the sauce on top. It sounds strange until you actually eat it.
The sauce acts almost like a protective layer, keeping everything underneath moist while the bottom crust crisps up beautifully.
It is the kind of pizza that makes you tilt your head at the first glance, then nod slowly after the first bite. Square slices, sauce up top, and a crust that holds its shape without going limp.
That combination is exactly why people keep coming back to this Cherry Hill location. Some food traditions make perfect sense once you stop questioning them and just eat.
The Cherry Hill Location Has Its Own Personality
Pulling into Holly Ravine Plaza, the spot looks modest from the outside. But stepping through the door is a different story entirely.
The dining room opens up with a clean, modern feel and Philly sports art covering the walls in the best possible way.
There is something genuinely warm about the space. It feels like a place that takes its food seriously without taking itself too seriously.
Tables are spread out comfortably, and there is even outdoor seating for when the weather cooperates.
The Cherry Hill location has built its own loyal crowd since opening. Regulars stop in for weeknight dinners, families grab a table on weekends, and the takeout line moves with real efficiency.
It carries the spirit of the original Philadelphia flagship while feeling completely at home in South Jersey. Good lighting, good energy, and the kind of layout that makes you want to linger a little longer than planned.
That is always a good sign.
Rooted in Philadelphia Since 1959
Joseph and Philomena Santucci started this whole thing in Philadelphia more than six decades ago. What began as a neighborhood pizza joint on O Street became something much bigger over time, carried forward by loyal customers and a recipe that never needed fixing.
The square pizza with sauce on top was not a gimmick. It was just how they made it, and people loved it.
Generation after generation grew up eating Santucci’s, and when new locations opened in New Jersey, those same people followed.
There is something genuinely moving about a food tradition that survives six decades without losing its identity. The Cherry Hill location honors that history in every slice.
Customers who grew up near the original Philadelphia spot have said the Cherry Hill version tastes just as good as they remember. That kind of consistency is rare.
It speaks to a recipe that was right from the beginning and a team that respects what it means to carry a legacy forward.
The Square Shape Is More Than Just a Look
Square pizza is not just a novelty. The shape actually changes how the pizza bakes, how it holds heat, and how each bite feels.
Corner pieces have that extra crunch. Middle slices are softer and chewy.
Every position on the tray offers something slightly different.
At Santucci’s, the square is part of the whole experience. The dough bakes into a thick but not overwhelming base, firm enough to pick up without it folding over.
That structural integrity is something round pizza fans genuinely appreciate once they try it.
Ordering a small square comes in four pieces, which is a perfect size for a solo meal or a light lunch. The slices are substantial without being heavy.
Each one has a satisfying crispness on the bottom that contrasts with the saucy, savory top. It is the kind of pizza that works just as well cold the next day as it does fresh out of the oven.
That is a rare quality worth celebrating.
Strombolis and Flatbreads Fill Out the Menu Nicely
The pizza gets all the attention, but the rest of the menu at Santucci’s Cherry Hill holds its own with confidence. Strombolis are rolled thick and baked until the outside turns golden, with the inside staying soft and packed with flavor.
The Red Pepper Flatbread has become a fan favorite for good reason. It is lighter than the square pizza but still carries that same attention to ingredient quality.
Flatbreads work well as a starter or as a meal on their own, depending on how hungry you are walking in.
Salads round out the menu in a way that feels thoughtful rather than obligatory. The Caesar Salad with grilled chicken has earned consistent praise from regulars who return specifically for it.
Wings are on the menu too, and when they come out hot and fresh, they are a solid addition to any order. The variety means there is genuinely something for everyone at the table, which makes group visits easy and stress-free.
Takeout That Actually Travels Well
Some pizza places lose everything the moment it goes into a box. The crust gets soggy, the cheese slides, and by the time you get home, it is a sad version of what it was five minutes earlier.
Santucci’s handles takeout differently.
The square shape and the sauce-on-top design actually help the pizza hold up during transport. The crust stays crisp longer because the moisture from the sauce sits on top rather than soaking through from underneath.
Even the fries, which are notoriously difficult to keep crispy in a bag, come out well.
Ordering through the website is straightforward and convenient. The Cherry Hill location offers delivery directly from their site, which means skipping the third-party apps and getting food that arrives in better condition.
For people who like to eat at home without sacrificing quality, this spot has figured out the logistics better than most. A takeout order from here genuinely feels like a treat rather than a compromise.
The Atmosphere Keeps People Coming Back
Good food is only half the equation. The other half is how a place makes you feel when you walk through the door.
At Santucci’s in Cherry Hill, the atmosphere lands somewhere between casual neighborhood spot and genuine community hub.
The dining room has real character. Philly sports art lines the walls, giving the space a personality that feels specific rather than generic.
It is the kind of decor that sparks conversation and makes the room feel lived in rather than staged.
The space is also available for private events, which says a lot about how the ownership thinks about the restaurant. It is not just a place to grab a quick meal.
It is somewhere worth gathering. Families celebrating birthdays, coworkers doing lunch, or friends catching up after a long week all fit naturally into this space.
Clean, well-maintained, and always welcoming are the three words that come up most when people describe their experience here. That combination is harder to pull off than it sounds.
Hours and Accessibility Make It an Easy Choice
One of the quiet advantages of the Cherry Hill location is how easy it is to work into a regular routine. The restaurant opens at 11 AM every day of the week and stays open until 9 PM, which covers everything from lunch runs to late weeknight dinners without any gaps.
Holly Ravine Plaza is accessible and easy to navigate. Parking is available right outside, which makes a quick pickup genuinely quick.
There is no circling the block or parallel parking stress involved. That kind of convenience matters more than people admit when deciding where to eat.
The consistent hours mean there is no guessing whether the place is open on a Monday or a Sunday afternoon. It just is.
For families with unpredictable schedules or people who work irregular hours, that reliability is a real selling point. Knowing a great meal is available six days out of seven, any time between morning and evening, takes the stress out of the dinner decision entirely.
Consistency is underrated.
Why This Square Slice Deserves a Spot on Your Radar
There are plenty of pizza places in New Jersey. Finding one that genuinely stands out takes more than a good dough recipe.
Santucci’s has the full package: a unique style, a real history, consistent quality, and a location that feels like it belongs to the community it serves.
The sauce-on-top concept is the entry point, but it is not the whole story. It is the crispness of the crust, the balance of flavors, and the fact that every visit feels reliable that keeps people loyal.
Some customers drive from Florida when they visit home just to stop here first.
That kind of devotion does not come from hype. It comes from a place that earns it every single time.
Whether it is a first visit out of curiosity or a regular stop on a weekly routine, Santucci’s in Cherry Hill delivers something worth returning for. Give the square pizza a chance and let it speak for itself.
Address: 100 Springdale Rd A-1, Cherry Hill Township, NJ 08003.
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