Every year in February Wildwood boardwalk pizza lovers long for a taste of summer. This week pizza lovers will gather at Sam’s Pizza Palace, at the corner of 26th Avenue and the Boardwalk in Wildwood. For many, the opening of Sam’s Pizza Palace heralds an annual tradition for family and friends which this year opens on Valentine’s Day (Friday, February 14th 2020).

Pizza lovers can finally sink their teeth into a delicious, hot slice of their favorite boardwalk pizza, very likely accompanied by a refreshing iced Birch Beer – the very first of the season! Don’t mind the weather outside, inside it’s a summer state of mind regardless of whether there snow, ice, rain, or – perhaps – a beautiful spring-like day.

Although this year wind seems to be in the forecast for this Friday, the opening day, Saturday and Sunday should be less windy although temperatures will remain cold… so warm up with that first slice, and let the taste bring you into summery bliss! Rain and snow have had minimal effect of the crowds in previous years.

Sam’s Pizza Palace will open at 10:30 am, so get there and plan for a bit of a wait. Some boardwalk shops are open weekends, The Original Fudge Kitchen at Robert’s Avenue, Rapunzel’s at 22nd Avenue, Gateway 26 (next to Sam’s Pizza Palace on 26th Avenue). Walk the boardwalk to see what’s new, what’s familiar, and what’s open!

We can’t wait to be there for our first taste of summer – and our first taste of Sam’s PIZZA, as a new year – a new decade – of those happy Wildwood days and the warm memories are kickstarted on February 14th, not to be cheesy, but Sam’s has a “pizza” our hearts! See you there!

By Joey Contino