Mike Ham travels to Brooklyn Square Pizza in Jackson, NJ to visit with Peter Grippo! Mike and Peter discuss the history of Brooklyn Square Pizza, why his signature pie is called the “Upside Down,” his connection to the community, and more! About Peter and Brooklyn Square PizzaPeter Grippo grew up in the Gravesend neighborhood of Brooklyn, the son of two Italian immigrant parents from a town called Caggiano in the Campagnia region. He worked at his uncle’s pizzeria, Ciccio’s on Avenue U, where he made his first pie when he was 15 or 16 years old.In June of 2001, Peter opened his first pizza store in Brooklyn, NY “Peter Pizza.” It was a labor of love that started with his passion for Italian cooking and nurtured throughout his teenage years in the pizza business. 12 years later, in 2013, Peter opened his first restaurant in Jackson, NJ called “Brooklyn Square” which was an instant hit thanks, in part, to his now famous “Upside Down Square” pie. In June of 2016, Peter had another life defining moment when he was unexpectedly diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, the same cancer that his father passed away from 20 years prior. With his wife and 3 small children in mind, he decided that cancer was not going to win and made a commitment to fight and never give up. Empowered in his conviction to beat cancer, he leaned into doing what he loves most, making pizza. Seven months after his diagnosis, he opened his second Brooklyn Square pizzeria in Manalapan, NJ. Despite the physical demands of chemotherapy, Peter forged on encouraged by his support network and his love for what he does and in 2018, opened his third Brooklyn Square location in Toms River, NJ. Peter’s pizzas have earned widespread acclaim as well as two major distinctions: a “Best Pizza in New Jersey” ranking from Pete Genovese, and an 8.9 from Barstool’s One Bite Pizza Reviews, the highest rating given to a square slice. Jackson: 265 S New Prospect Road Jackson, NJ 08527Manalapan: 73 Wilson Ave Manalapan, NJ 07726Toms River: 1898 Hinds Road Toms River, NJ 08753brooklynsquarenj.com@brooklynsquarepizzaToday in New Jersey History: The Bayonne Bridge opened on November 15, 1931New Jersey Fun Fact: New Jersey was the first state to sign the Bill of RightsThank you to our sponsors:Albert & Whitney CPAs awcpasllc.comContact the show:greetingsfromthegardenstate@gmail.comWebsite: greetingsfromthegardenstate.comFollow us on Instagram: @greetingsfromthegardenstateMusic (used with permission): “Crazy” by Manny Cabo www.mannycabo.com