OCOEE, Fla. – Award-winning Key Lime pie, a New York WaterMaker and Boar’s Head meat are some of the key ingredients that make Coast to Coast Pizza Company successful.
The South Florida-based joint is making its way up north and is set to open its first Orlando-area location in August.
It will be at 352 Moore Road in Ocoee.
Meanwhile, the two current locations are in Marathon and Fort Lauderdale.
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Erika Rommel, who is handling the marketing side of this operation, told News 6 her husband, Dan, and her father, Gary Foster, will be cooking at the eatery.
With this being their first restaurant venture, Rommel’s husband and her father both attended Pizzaiolo School to learn the tricks of the trade, she said.
“There are only two schools that offer this level of training in the U.S. with certifications from Italy,” Rommel said.
Now certified, the duo is ready to serve New York, Sicilian, gluten-free and Detroit-style pizzas. The eatery will also offer salads, calzones, cannolis and a Key Lime pie that was hailed as the “Best of the Florida Keys.”
Rommel also noted that one of its signature pies is its New York 7.7 Cheese, named after Barstool President Dave Portnoy’s review. The media mogul reviewed the Marathon location’s pizza in January 2023.
“My understanding is that CTC Marathon was open for about six months to a year, then it had to close for several months due to a city project on the sidewalk near the building,” Rommel said. “Once they reopened, Dave came in and did his review. The business just took off after that. "
Rommel said she is also hopeful that Portnoy will come to the Orlando location some time.
Meanwhile, Coast to Coast Pizza Company was founded by Omar Maldonado – Rommel’s former colleague. Rommel was on vacation visiting Maldonado in Marathon and soaking up the sun when the opportunity to open the pizza shop presented itself, she said.
To add on, what makes this pizza shop unique is its mission — giving back and honoring veterans, Rommel said. Maldonado served in the Army and Rommel’s husband Dan served in the Navy.
“We are veteran and locally-owned. One of our visions for CTC is to be an option for veterans who are looking to open their own business,” she said. “So, it’s important that each owner is a veteran so that we can continue to give back to that community.”
It will also offer a discount to veterans and first responders, Rommel said.
Overall, Rommel said she plans to keep growing this brand in the Orlando market as she and her team are planning to open two to three more shops in the next five years. Maldonado will continue to expand as well, she said,
To check out more of Rommel’s story and to find out how to join the team click here.
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