“This place has literally fed hundreds of thousands of William Paterson University alumni,” said Pietro Mazzella, owner of Brother Bruno’s Pizza Deli and Bagels.
The legendary local pizzeria will celebrate its 50th anniversary on April 26, from 1 to 4 p.m. at its 200 Hamburg Turnpike location.
Considered the oldest family owned and operated pizzeria in New Jersey, Brother Bruno’s has gained notoriety for its hot, fresh pizza and award winning dessert pies, a staple in the Wayne community that even had the opportunity to be featured on the television show Chopped.
“Our entire three families have eaten off this place, roofs over our heads, vacations, every kid, every toy we had as a kid, every car we drove as an adult was from Brother Bruno’s,” Mazzella said.
During the spring 2026 semester, Brother Bruno’s opened a new location in the William Paterson student center, open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“It was actually like, almost, give me the chills, everyone’s giving us hugs, it was really nice, the support that we get from William Paterson is absolutely unbelievable,” Mazzella said, noting the Pioneer community continues to rally behind the local pizza spot.
The expected turnout for the celebration is large, fueled in part by the restaurant’s social media following, including an Instagram page with more than 50,000 followers.
“I’m expecting at least 1,000 people, I’m hoping it’s much larger than that,” Mazzella said.
There will be a food truck set up in the parking lot, half price pizzas, free samples, and vendors.
Mazzella also noted a supplement store will host a bench press competition, with a $100 gift card awarded to one men’s winner and one women’s winner.
Artists will create murals from scratch in front of the crowd, producing a piece for Brother Bruno’s that attendees will be invited to sign.
“We’ll be handing out sharpies so everyone will be part of our history,” Mazzella said.
For those in the Passaic County area looking for a community event that brings together family, a William Paterson connection, and pizza, the celebration at 200 Hamburg Turnpike in Wayne offers a fitting tribute to Brother Bruno’s 50 year legacy.
