America’s Pie slices up delicious pizza

Pizza comes in an unending list of varieties, but the owners of a new pizza spot on Rehoboth Avenue in Rehoboth Beach are out to make a pizza that can truly be called America's Pie.

America’s Pie features New York-style pizza with a particular emphasis on specialty pies: the upside-down pie, with the sauce on the top and cheese on the bottom; buffalo chicken; sweet baby barbecue; the My Blue Heaven, a white pizza with chicken, roasted peppers, prosciutto and sharp provolone served with arugula, grape tomatoes and balsamic reduction on the side; and the New Orleans, which features Cajun-style chicken, honey Dijon mustard, mozzarella and pepper jack cheese.

America’s Pie's flagship store is in West Chester, Pa., and its second location opened on Rehoboth Avenue Aug. 8. A third restaurant is set to open next month near Philadelphia International Airport.

Given the restaurant’s roots near Philadelphia, it is fitting that America’s Pie has its own Declaration of Independence, allowing customers to customize any item however they'd like to from in-stock ingredients. Slices are nice and healthy in size, with pies available in 14 inches or 18 inches.

Co-owner Mike Cerenzia, who runs America’s Pie with fiancée Jenn Gummel and partners Matt and George Reed, said if a customer’s request is really good, America’s Pie may make it a special selection.

“There’s a lot of interaction with our customers. We want to engage them,” Cerenzia said.

The restaurant joins a crowded pizza market in Rehoboth, which features Nicola, Grotto, Louie’s, the recently added Dough Roller and now, America’s Pie. But Cerenzia feels there’s enough slices of the pie for everyone.

“We feel like we’re not competition for those established places. Most people who visit us realize we’re not the same thing, and we don’t do pizza the same way. If there’s enough market for Grotto’s to have three locations within a quarter of a mile, I think there’s enough market for us,” Cerenzia said.

While pizza is the heart of America’s Pie, Gummel and Cerenzia said the restaurant offers more than just pizza. America’s Pie features a large selection of salads and homemade dressings, with the option to build your own salad. The restaurant also offers tacos, soups, authentic Mexican street corn, hot dogs and beach snacks, like pickle and watermelon on a stick, and a hummus platter.

“You see a pizza shop you think, ‘They do pizza here, but they don’t do other things as good.’ We aim to change that perception. Pizza shops do more than just pizza,” Cerenzia said.

Gummel had frequently vacationed in Rehoboth and when she introduced Cerenzia to the area, it reminded him of when he used to vacation in the Poconos. The couple settled into the area and started looking for business opportunities.

America’s Pie, 25 Rehoboth  Ave.,  is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, go to pizzaforthepeople.com or call 302-278-7946.