Michele's Italian, New Jersey Roots

​

Rooted in Family, Fueled by Pizza!

​

Pizza has always been more than just food in my life — it’s been a way to express love, celebrate family, and keep traditions alive.

​

I grew up in New Jersey outside New York City in a big Italian family where the kitchen was the heart of the home. My dad, Anthony Salerno, was a baker by trade and a master at creating unforgettable moments through food. One of my most treasured childhood memories is our annual family pizza party, where my dad would make pizza all day long for his seven kids. He passed away in 1981 after a battle with cancer, but those joyful gatherings remain etched in my heart.

​

Not long ago, my sister found the two original pizza pans my dad used for those special family days, tucked away in my mom’s kitchen cabinet. She sent them to me from New Jersey — and now, every time I bake a pan pizza in them, I feel like I’m bringing a piece of my dad’s legacy into the present.

 

From New Jersey to Louisiana — A Journey of Flavor

​

In 1980, at just 18 years old, I moved from New Jersey to Oklahoma. The culture shock was real — but worse than that was the heartbreak of not being able to find the kind of New York–style pizza I had grown up with. I started making my own dough, determined to recreate the flavors I missed. It wasn’t perfect at first, but it was a start.

​

Then I found Mario’s Pizza in Tulsa — a little slice of home run by a true Italian from the Bronx. One bite brought all those cherished memories rushing back. I was reminded of what food really means: comfort, joy, and connection.

​

The Birth of Louie’s Pizza

​

In 2006, while living in Connecticut, I met my husband Louis online. (Yes, we’re a modern love story!) After we got married, Louis moved from Many, Louisiana, to Connecticut — and had his first taste of real New York–style pizza. He was instantly hooked.

​

By then, I had been making pizza at home for over 25 years and had truly honed my craft. When we moved back to Many in 2013, we brought our passion — and our pizza — with us. We started hosting pizza parties at our home, and before long, we knew this was something we wanted to share with our wider community.

​

Pizza With Purpose

​

That’s how Louie’s Pizza was born — out of a love for authentic flavor, family traditions, and the joy that comes from gathering around a table with the people you love. It’s not just pizza; it’s a piece of our story, and we hope it becomes part of yours too.

​

From our Italian family to yours — thank you for letting us share what we love most. We can’t wait to meet you and serve you a slice of something truly special.

​

With love,
Michele Salerno-Smith