Wikipedia, meet Nic-o-Boli
It is not every business that makes its way to Wikipedia, but Nicola Pizza has earned a mention with its Nic-o-boli. The Nic-o-Boli is not only described by ingredients, but also, a history of both the Nic-o-Boli and the Caggiano family is listed.
The Nic-o-boli concept started with Nicholas Caggiano, the child of Italian immigrants who migrated to Delaware. In 1970, Nicholas and his wife Joan baked and sold pizzas out of the back of their Rehoboth Beach home to help pay for their daughter's medical bills. Friends encouraged them to make a living out of the pizza business, and in 1971, the Caggianos borrowed $5,000 from an uncle and opened Nicola Pizza in Rehoboth Beach. The restaurant seated barely 20 people. Today, the line regularly trails out the door from the expanded 200-seat dining room.
In 1972, Caggiano began to bake stromboli for employees; however, the dough was rolled into calzone shape for its simplicity, and he used pizza ingredients that were readily available. The end product was so successful among employees that by 1973, Caggiano had trademarked his new product and began selling his now-famous Nic-o-Boli over the counter to customers.
Because of the desirable vacation destination Rehoboth Beach provides for Washingtonians, and the long-standing reputation of Caggiano's creation, the Nic-o-boli has attracted the likes of George and Barbara Bush, who had Nic-o-bolis shipped to them at the White House. Brett Favre and his family also had Nic-o-bolis delivered to their home. Chelsea Clinton dined at the restaurant during June Week of her senior year in high school. James Brady, Kathie Lee Gifford and Cal Ripken and family have all been regular customers. Jim Cramer of CNBC’s "Mad Money" has been a customer of Nicola Pizza also and has raved about the homemade sauce on his nationally televised show on several different occasions. Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, who vacations in the area every year for a few weeks, can also be spotted at the restaurant enjoying his favorite, the sweet pepper Nic-o-boli.
In April 2010, a second Nicola Pizza restaurant was opened on Rehoboth Avenue, just around the corner from the first. It is considerably larger than the original and has two floors and two bars. The upstairs is known as the Upper Deck Sports Bar with more than 20 TVs. The inside furnishings are similar to those of the first Nicola Pizza, which still operates. Customers can enjoy the Nic-o-boli at either location.
