Where There’s Red Sauce, There’s a Story with Tony Mangia | Ep 66
If you want to understand what drives Anthony Scalia, you only need to know his motto: Where there’s red sauce, there’s a story. Better known to his Instagram community as @TonyMangia, Anthony has dedicated his life to chasing those stories across America visiting the hidden Italian markets, multi-generational family restaurants, and under-the-radar pizzerias that define our culture 🇮🇹.
Tony joins the podcast to take us on a journey through what he calls "the 21st region of Italy" AKA Italian America. He shares his roots growing up in Lodi, New Jersey, running around his dad’s local deli as a kid, and how a passion for the arts led him from a college radio show hosting guests like Lidia Bastianich to filming a pilot for the Food Network. What makes Tony so captivating is his raw, unfiltered perspective on the food scene. He isn't out here playing a character for the camera; what you see is what you get. In this deep dive, he takes us inside his Monday night routine at the Belmont Tavern in Belleville, New Jersey, detailing exact dishes like Stretch’s Chicken Savoy with red wine vinegar, shrimp beeps, and cavatelli with pot cheese. We travel down to Brooklyn to talk about Bamonte’s, hit South Philly @bamontesrestaurant to uncover the cash-only, no-photos-allowed dining experience at the Palizzi Social Club @palizzisc 💚, and explore the massive street feasts of Boston's North End.
Of course, we had to talk about pizza 🍕. Tony breaks down his own "pizza cognition theory,” the idea that the first pizza you eat as a child becomes the standard you judge every other pie against for the rest of your life. For him, that means the thin Sicilian pies at Lodi Pizza @lodipizzanj and the legendary highway stand vibes of Pizza Town @pizzatownusa1958 [https://www.instagram.com/pizzatownusa1958/#] 🙌🏽. We also get into the nuances of true Neapolitan style at Song' E Napule @songenapulenyc new-school spots like Casano’s in Rutherford @casanospizzaparlor and the overlooked Italian enclaves outside of the major hubs, stretching from Pittsburgh and Altoona all the way down to New Orleans.
Ultimately, Tony delivers a powerful message about what it truly means to support a local business. It's about respecting the mind, body, and soul the owners put into their craft, and understanding the real sacrifices made behind the counter. Whether he’s helping cook a thousand pounds of bucatini for St. Joseph’s Day in New Orleans or mapping out a five-hour road trip to visit a new spot, Tony reminds us that our heritage is something we have to actively preserve, support, and celebrate before it’s gone ♥️.
📖 Episode Chapters
✅ 00:00 - Tony’s background, growing up in Lodi, NJ, and his early days in New York food media.
✅ 15:40 – Inside the Belmont Tavern, defending Mulberry Street, and uncovering Philly’s hidden Palizzi Social Club @palizzisc
✅ 32:11 – A deep dive into classic Jersey pizzerias, Neapolitan style, and exploring food enclaves.
🔗 Connect with the Guest
Follow Tony Mangia on Instagram: @TonyMangia [https://instagram.com/tonymangia]
🎧Join the Conversation
If you enjoyed this deep dive into Italian history, please Like this video and Subscribe to the channel. We’re traveling the country to talk to the legends, the people keeping the traditions alive, and you won’t want to miss our next stops.
🇮🇹 About the Podcast
Website: https://www.astoryaboutpizza.com/ [https://www.astoryaboutpizza.com/]
Substack: https://substack.com/@astoryaboutpizza [https://substack.com/@astoryaboutpizza]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astoryaboutpizza/ [https://www.instagram.com/astoryaboutpizza/]
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@storyaboutpizza [https://www.tiktok.com/@storyaboutpizza]
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AStoryAboutPizza [https://www.youtube.com/@AStoryAboutPizza]
A Story About Pizza Book: https://www.amazon.com/Story-About-Pizza-Erica-DArcangelo/dp/1917116993 [https://www.amazon.com/Story-About-Pizza-Erica-DArcangelo/dp/1917116993]
Pietro’s Pizza Children’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Pietros-Pizza-Story-About/dp/B0DTYZ15WB/ [https://www.amazon.com/Pietros-Pizza-Story-About/dp/B0DTYZ15WB/]
Pietro’s Pizza Toppings Children’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJM15W22/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJM15W22/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0]
Pietro’s Italian Christmas: https://www.amazon.com/Pietros-Italian-Christmas-Erica-DArcangelo/dp/B0G2GQX78W/ [https://www.amazon.com/Pietros-Italian-Christmas-Erica-DArcangelo/dp/B0G2GQX78W/]
#pizza #italian #italianhistory #italianamerican
