Hall of Fame Opening for Great Neck Eatery

Great Neck’s newest eatery was already buzzing Friday afternoon along Northern Boulevard, long before Hall of Fame quarterback and business partner Dan Marino showed up.

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza opened its doors Monday at 420 Northern Blvd., the 40th location for the Florida-based chain and fifth on Long Island. 

The pizzeria known for authentic coal-burning ovens may have Florida roots, but its namesake and founding partner, Anthony Bruno, was Long Island born and bred. 

“We fit right into the culture here,” said Bruno, 51, a 1980 Carey High School graduate. “We have a product people appreciate.”

And a celebrity partner football fans can get behind in Marino. The CBS football analyst showed up at the Great Neck restaurant Friday and the electricity immediately jumped. 

Which is all Marino, who owned restaurants during his hayday with the Miami Dolphins, really wants from his latest venture.

“The fun part is it’s really about the people,” Marino said between photo ops and autographs. “Anthony started this with one restaurant. I was able to be part of the second. It feels good to create something that’s fun and special and people enjoy.” 

The Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza brand has energy and momentum – even without the celebrity quarterback walking into the place. Bruno said the Fort Lauderdale, Fla. company plans to open Bohemia and Greenvale locations by March 2014. 

And the next major market he’s eyeing is Boston. But there’s no blueprint for mass expansion and no plans to go public.

“We just want to open up good restaurants,” Bruno said. “You’ve got to take your time.”

Anthony’s time is now in Great Neck.