Our Story

Discover the passion, tradition, and dedication that has made Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza Denver's beloved pizza destination for over 70 years.

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Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza Interior

Our Story

Since 1952, Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza has been a cornerstone of Denver's culinary landscape, bringing authentic coal-fired pizza to the heart of Colorado.

What started as a small family restaurant with a big dream has grown into Denver's most trusted name in authentic pizza. Our founder, Anthony Marinelli, brought his family's secret recipes from Brooklyn to Denver, along with the traditional coal-fired cooking methods that create our signature crispy-yet-tender crust.

Today, three generations later, we continue to honor Anthony's vision of serving exceptional food made with love, using only the finest ingredients and time-honored techniques that have been passed down through our family.

Historic pizza kitchen with coal oven

Our Mission & Values

Passion

We pour our heart into every pizza, ensuring each bite delivers the authentic flavors that have made us Denver's favorite for over 70 years.

Quality

From hand-selected ingredients to our coal-fired ovens, we never compromise on quality. Every element of our pizza meets the highest standards.

Community

We're more than a restaurant - we're part of the Denver family. Building lasting relationships with our customers is at the heart of everything we do.

Tradition

Our coal-fired cooking methods and family recipes have remained unchanged since 1952, preserving the authentic taste that defines us.

Our Journey

1952

The Beginning

Anthony Marinelli opens the first Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza in downtown Denver, bringing authentic Brooklyn-style pizza to Colorado with traditional coal-fired ovens.

1968

Growing Recognition

Anthony's becomes Denver's go-to pizza destination, earning recognition from local food critics and building a loyal customer base that spans generations.

1985

Second Generation

Anthony's son, Michael, takes over operations, expanding the menu while maintaining the traditional coal-fired cooking methods and family recipes.

2010

Modern Era

The restaurant undergoes a complete renovation, blending modern amenities with classic charm while preserving the original coal ovens.

Today

Continuing the Legacy

Now led by the third generation, Anthony's remains committed to serving Denver's best coal-fired pizza using the same authentic methods that started it all.

Meet Our Team

Michael Marinelli

Michael Marinelli

Owner & Head Chef

Third-generation owner who learned the art of coal-fired cooking from his grandfather Anthony. Michael oversees all kitchen operations and maintains our authentic recipes.

Sofia Rodriguez

Sofia Rodriguez

General Manager

With over 15 years at Anthony's, Sofia ensures every guest receives the exceptional service that has become our trademark. She leads our front-of-house team with passion and dedication.

James Chen

James Chen

Head Pizza Chef

Master of the coal-fired ovens, James has perfected the art of achieving the perfect crust temperature and timing. His expertise ensures every pizza meets our exacting standards.

Maria Gonzalez

Maria Gonzalez

Kitchen Manager

Maria oversees ingredient sourcing and quality control, ensuring we use only the finest tomatoes, cheeses, and meats. Her attention to detail keeps our standards consistently high.

Coal fired pizza oven in action

The Coal-Fired Difference

Our authentic coal-fired ovens reach temperatures of over 900°F, creating the perfect combination of crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese that simply can't be replicated in conventional ovens.

The intense heat from our coal ovens cooks pizzas in just 90 seconds, sealing in flavors and creating those characteristic charred spots that pizza lovers crave. This traditional method, unchanged since our founding, is what makes Anthony's pizza truly authentic.

Each oven is carefully maintained and fired daily with the same techniques Anthony learned in Brooklyn over 70 years ago. It's this dedication to tradition that keeps customers coming back generation after generation.

Experience Our Tradition

Come taste the difference that 70+ years of tradition, passion, and authentic coal-fired cooking makes. Join the thousands of Denver families who have made Anthony's their pizza home.