The family of New Jersey pizza icon Al Santillo is asking for support after a serious medical emergency.
A statement posted to Facebook on Sunday revealed that Santillo, the beloved owner of Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza in Elizabeth, was in the hospital after suffering a stroke.
The statement asks to “please send him all the prayers and positivity you can!”
The heartbreaking news comes as the pizzeria had been planning a highly-anticipated reopening. It has been closed since January 2024 when a fire heavily damaged the building.
However, Santillo has pledged to rebuild the revered pizza destination, which is more than 100 years old. The community has also rallied around the prominent pizza owner.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy donated the proceeds of his 2024 One Bite Pizza Festival to Santillo to support the rebuild and also organized a GoFundMe to help with costs.
Santillo spent some time making pies at Coniglio’s Old Fashioned on Sundays.
A Santillo’s Volunteers Facebook group was also created to connect those looking to lend a hand in the rebuild process.
While it’s still unclear when the pizzeria will reopen, those craving Santillo’s can get their fix — even if they don’t live in New Jersey.
In September 2025, the pizzeria signed a contract with online marketplace Goldbelly to sell the iconic Santillo’s pizza across the country.