Sam Spera, like many Italian Americans, came to the United States looking for a better life… Moving from the small town of Villalba, Sicily, Sam and his wife Anna immigrated to Trenton, NJ in 1951. Hard times meant hard work and Sam found himself juggling up to two jobs to support this new American family of five.

In the spring of 1957 Sam was asked by a friend to take a drive down to the Seashore town of Wildwood. With an abundance of sunshine, a cool ocean breeze, beautiful white beaches and a three mile long boardwalk packed with throngs of visitors walking upon its planks, Sam knew immediately - This is where he wanted to start a business. It was that summer Sam started his Wildwood Boardwalk Business Adventure and has never looked back.

After a two year partnership running a boardwalk restaurant called Marconi's, Sam ventured out on his own to open his first restaurant called Sam's Steak House located on the Northside of 26th Street, where Gateway 26 is currently located. Truly a family business, Sam's Steak House served only sandwiches and sodas to patrons in his small restaurant consisting of 5 tables and a 15-stool counter. A family affair you would find Sam & Anna with their kids, Rosemary, Tony & Rita working side by side developing a local reputation and clientele that has lasted to this very day. Sam knew he needed to sell more than Steak Sandwiches to support his growing family and business... so he proclaimed to Anna "Let's give Pizza a try!" Purchasing a small pizza oven and relying on an old recipe handed down from his Sicilian roots for pizza dough, Sam started turning out slices of Pie for 15 cents each. A smart decision... as it helped his business grow eventually leading him to move to the Southside of 26th Street where Sam's Pizza Palace is currently housed.

Why is Sam's Pizza Palace so successful? Is it the Pizza dough, the sauce, the cheese… is it the location or the family atmosphere? Is it the familiarity of seeing the same faces year in and year out?

Come see first hand why Sam's is a favorite among the Wildwood locals, summer visitors and the many second home owners who spend their leisure time in the Wildwoods.


Sam's Pizza Palace - Since 1957 - (609) 522-6017
2600 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ