GLORY DAYS w/ Joey Palumbo of Tony’s Baltimore Grill

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On this episode, join us at Tony's Baltimore Grill in Atlantic City, a legendary pizza institution approaching its 100th anniversary in 2027. Alex sits down with Joey Palumbo, the manager who's been running this iconic spot for the past four years, to explore what makes this place so special.

 

From surviving Atlantic City's ups and downs to maintaining authentic recipes while navigating modern challenges like third-party delivery apps, Joey shares insights into running a restaurant and managing staff who some have been there way longer than he has. The conversation covers everything from stolen patio furniture that became national news to the "Don't Be Ted" roast beef sandwich campaign that turned a negative review into a marketing goldmine.

 

Discover why Tony's isn't for everyone (and why they're okay with that), hear stories about celebrity visits from Pink to Sinatra, and learn about the delicate balance of preserving tradition while adapting to change. Plus, Joey opens up about his journey from teaching to restaurant management, his pickle business with his son, and why empowering staff to stand up to difficult customers is part of their philosophy.

 

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Welcome to Tony's

00:01:31 - First Impressions

00:02:57 - Joey's Kitchen Journey

00:04:45 - Managing the Veteran Staff

00:08:25 - Atlantic City Through the Decades

00:12:17 - The Secret to 50-Year Survival

00:16:28 - Pizza Production and Weather Wars

00:20:06 - Stolen Chairs and Viral Fame

00:24:03 - The Customer Isn't Always Right

00:27:17 - Third-Party Delivery Disasters

00:32:05 - Late Night Hours and Characters

00:36:06 - From White House Subs to Teaching

00:42:08 - Eagles Victory and Philly Pride

00:44:16 - Managing 60 Staff Members

00:48:54 - Food vs Booze Balance

00:50:46 - Celebrity Visits and Famous Faces

00:52:23 - Restoring the Original Aesthetic

00:57:33 - Not for Everyone and That's OK

01:00:20 - Generations and Community Fabric

01:02:24 - Accountability and Final Recommendations