AC Wing Fest coming to Nugget
By Scott Cronick
South Jersey should be in mourning.
Bakeria 1010, arguably the best pizzeria in South Jersey, will close its doors by the end of the year as its owner Mike Fitzick will take his mind-blowing pizza skills and head to Philadelphia, where he will take over – and rename – Spuntino, a highly regarded pizzeria in the Northern Liberties section of the city currently owned by fourth-generation pizzeria owner Salvatore Carollo.
Fitzick opened Bakeria 1010 inside Linwood’s The Exchange more than two years ago, dazzling pizza lovers with his square pizza that is light and airy like focaccia yet crispy and cheesy with an innovative crust that features crispy cheese that somehow towers above the dough, similar to Detroit-style pizza but way better.
Long before Bakeria 1010, those in the know knew Fitzick was a mad scientist when it came to his pizza-making skills, which started when he worked for the legendary Manco & Manco. The Margate resident and Mainland Regional High School grad became known locally as “The Pizza Jew” and would wow pizza — and dough — connoisseurs with his unbelievable creations that used the best ingredients in innovative flavor combinations. Pop-ups at places like The Iron Room in Atlantic City and Steve & Cookie’s in Margate led him to eventually opening Bakeria 1010, where he continues to impress with his new creations and use of stellar ingredients.
Fitzick plans to minorly remodel the Philly space and open early in the new year. He is considering calling it Bar 1010 and told me he won’t be making his legendary square sourdough pizza at the Philly location – and frankly won’t miss the time-consuming process it requires. Instead, he will make wood-fired, super-thin, 14-inch round pies and introduce other dishes that will surprise and thrill Philadelphia foodies. Never one to offer the expected, Bar 1010 will certainly be a game changer for Philly and a deep loss for us in South Jersey.
Bakeria 1010 won’t be the only loss for South Jersey as the new owners of The Exchange will completely transform the entire Route 9 property into medical offices for AtlantiCare. Currently, the top floor of the building is AtlantiCare offices, with the bottom floor offering the very eclectic food court.
Others on the outs include: Lil Saigon, the legendary Atlantic City-based Vietnamese restaurant that opened this quick-serve concept when The Exchange debuted in 2017 … since the A.C. location also closed, we can only hope they reopen somewhere else; La Tia, a Peruvian concept that has a strong local following; Boba Works, an Asian bakery and coffee shop that offers Boba Tea; and Mochi Ring Donut, a brand-new donut shop that debuted just a few months ago.
All of the businesses inside The Exchange are expected to remain open until the end of the year.
When Bakeria 1010 closes, it won’t be for lack of business. The pizzeria and bakery has done very well since opening, often selling out of product, particularly during COVID.
For some reason, Bakeria 1010 was one of the only success stories out of The Exchange, which never really seemed to find a large audience despite luring some great culinary names.
When it opened, The Exchange featured: the Brigantine-based Ernest & Son, which expanded to Linwood to offer a sub and sandwich joint; a pair of concepts from the successful owners of Greens & Grains, including a bar that offered the only liquor license in Linwood at the time; the legendary Tony’s Baltimore Grill, which was a scaled-down version of the Atlantic City original, mostly focusing on pizza; Jar’d, a stellar boutique coffee spot; and Lil Saigon.
One of the only true Exchange success stories aside from Bakeria 1010 is TacoCat, a Mexican eatery by Mike and Randi Talley, who relocated their business to Margate, where they continue to do extremely well.
The Exchange was a great idea – a community food court full of recognizable concepts anchored by a bar where people could grab lunch, dinner and hang out while listening to live music or playing Quizzo. But a combination of things, including lack of community support and very little advertising and marketing by its former owner, led to its unfortunate demise. Until then, savor Bakeria’s pizza and breads, try a mochi donut if you never had one, and grab that last bowl of Vietnamese noodles while you can.
The Exchange is located at 2110 New Road, Linwood. It is open daily, but individual concepts’ hours vary.
Wing warriors assemble in A.C.
If you are a fan of wings – and who isn’t? – you will love Atlantic City Wing Fest.
If you also happen to like craft beer, specialty cocktails and bluesy rock ’n’ roll, then you will really love Atlantic City Wing Fest.
Thanks to WMGM Rocks 103.7-FM and Golden Nugget Atlantic City, Atlantic City Wing Fest will feature between 15 and 20 South Jersey bars and restaurants known for their amazing wings competing for king of the wing bragging rights noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, inside Golden Nugget’s Grand Ballroom.
So far, the list of those bringing their wing creations is impressive to say the least … and growing by the day. Sample wings from Golden Nugget (Michael Patrick’s Brasserie, Vic & Anthony’s, Lillie’s), Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, Rhythm & Spirits, Essl’s Dugout, Ocean Casino Resort, Moonshiners Bar & Grill, Wingcraft Kitchen & Beer Bar and MotleyQue NJ. Announcements on more bars and restaurants joining Atlantic City Wing Fest will be made regularly on the Atlantic City Wing Fest Facebook page. So, like Atlantic City Wing Fest on Facebook to stay informed.
Here’s how it works: The all-you-can-eat wing festival will allow attendees to wing hop around the ballroom until you decide – by vote – which wing is your favorite. Atlantic City Wing Fest will also have some professionals to judge blindly, as well.
Sponsored by Paris Produce, Atlantic City Wing Fest will offer some great craft beers and cocktails for purchase, and live music will be provided by the Anthony Krizan Band. If that name sounds familiar, it should: Krizan is the former guitarist of the Spin Doctors, and he will play a mix of his own bluesy rock originals along with some classic rock covers.
Expect some surprises along the way with contests and special awards to make Atlantic City Wing Fest the place to be on Feb. 4.
Tickets for the 1 to 4 p.m. session are $35, and admission includes unlimited wings and dipping sauces from all restaurants, live music by the Anthony Krizan Band, killer drink and craft beer specials, giveaways, contests and more!
The $45 Early Entry Ticket Session starts at noon, enabling you to get in an hour before everyone else and grab a spot for you to enjoy the music and wings comfortably.
A limited number of tickets are expected to sell out, so get them now and become a Wing Warrior!
Go to Eventbrite.com or Atlantic City Wing Fest on Facebook.
Scott Cronick is an award-winning journalist who has written about entertainment, food, news and more in South Jersey for nearly three decades. He hosts a daily radio show – “Off The Press with Scott Cronick” – 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays on Newstalk WOND 1400-AM, 92.3-FM, and WONDRadio.com, and he also co-owns Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in Atlantic City, while working on various projects, including charitable efforts, throughout the area. He can be reached at scronick@comcast.net.
