Al Santillo Back Home After Stroke | Newark News

Al Santillo, the iconic one-arm pizza master behind Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza, is back home after a grueling four-month rehab stint following a stroke — just weeks before his pizzeria’s much-anticipated reopening. Once unable to walk, he now moves with a walker, proving his indomitable spirit amid fire damage and health adversity. The New Jersey pizza community rallied around him, with fellow restaurateurs cheering him on — a testament to his legendary status. Even Dave Portnoy helped rebuild after the January blaze, raising $30K, showing just how deeply Santillo’s is woven into local culture. Despite the pizzeria being listed for sale, Al’s humor and passion remain unbroken — joking he might be back in the kitchen next month as “the famous one-arm pizza maker,” of course with plenty of pizza to celebrate his triumphant return. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/fc58be499038e060