Celtics coach’s favorite pizza is close to home

JOHNSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — A Johnston bakery is cashing in on their unique take on a traditional dish while serving it up to Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla.

“My great great grandfather founded the first Palmieri in I think 1905, on Federal Hill,” Eric John Palmieri said.

He has been involved in the family business since he was a child, and now is in charge of D. Palmieri’s in Johnston.

“Every place does their own unique thing with it,” Palmieri said. “If you grow up here, whatever place’s pizza strips you eat as a kid, at birthday parties or family gatherings, to you, that’s what a pizza strip is.”

Their “thing” has been mighty popular, specially with well known Rhode Island resident Mazzulla.

“He’s one of our favorite customers,” Palmieri said.

Palmieri admits there’s no secret ingredient in his sauce, but says these pizza strips are crisper than others in the Ocean State.

It seems Mazzulla agrees, even mentioning D. Palmieri’s by name in a recent interview.

So the next time you’re in the mood for room temperature tomato paste on a crisp crust, swing by D. Palmieri’s on Killingly Street.

You might even run into Mazzulla.