On a personal note - My earliest memory of Mack's is when I was seven years old: My parents owned and operated two apartment buildings at Roberts and Ocean Avenues called the Eugene and Lindy Apartments. The year was 1971 and the Mack family had just opened a new shop at Roberts Avenue on the Boardwalk. On the back half of the Mack's property was an existing Trampoline Park. This little area became my hang out for several summers and holds many favorite memories.

The Eugene and Lindy are shown above in postcards.

The park consisted of a dozen or so ground level trampolines each installed over a rectangular pit, surrounded by crushed stone, and situated in a way that allowed you to bounce from one to another. This attraction provided hours of entertainment for me regardless if I was "bouncing" or just watching. Some of the other regulars were very good and performed all sorts of stunts, however most were not; needless to say, there were constant injuries and I remember an ambulance was called on a daily basis. Ultimately, the attraction was removed, but not from my mind... I will never forget it.

Al's Hoagie Shop was located across the street and I spent many summer afternoons sitting outside on those long, colorful steps eating what seemed like the best foot-long hot dogs around. Of course right up the ramp was Mack's and as if that wasn't enough just one block north was Fun Pier which at the time had great dark rides and other attractions... my triangle of paradise!

Times have certainly changed: When I was a kid I was free to roam the boards without a care in the world. My Mom and Dad didn't have the fears that the world faces today and I was cut loose as long as I stayed within the "triangle of paradise"... Gone are the Eugene and Lindy Apartments as are the steps that led to Al's Hoagie Shop, but Mack's Pizza still stands as if frozen in time.

I got hooked on Mack's at an early age and through the years since I have talked to other "Mack's Lovers" and found they also feel the same passion for this pie. I still get that same feeling as I walk up the ramp to Mack's, knowing I am about to eat the pizza I grew up on, sitting in the same shop on the boards staring out at a view that also remains unchanged... the Atlantic Ocean.

Brothers Duke and Joe Mack still operate the family businesses along with Duke's wife Pat and his son's Ronnie and Darryl, and of course, Mrs. T. They continue to bring us the biggest and best pizza on the Wildwood Boardwalk. I want to thank the entire Mack family and Rose Tata for always taking the time to talk with me and for providing memories that I will have forever.

4200 Boardwalk Wildwood, NJ (609) 729-0244

3218 Boardwalk Wildwood, NJ (609) 522-6166

Copyright 2005 Ralph Grassi