Nic-o-boli

A nic-o-boli is a baked product of Nicola Pizza resembling a cross between a stromboli and a calzone.

Ingredients

The ingredients are similar to a stromboli, but the shape is akin to a calzone^[1]. A key distinction between the ingredients of a Nic-o-boli versus those of a stromboli are that a Nic-o-boli starts with only ground beef, marinara sauce, and a blend of mozzarella, provolone and parmigiano cheeses, whereas a stromboli will often make use of other Italian meats and cheeses such as prosciutto ham or ricotta cheese. Similar to a calzone, a Nic-o-boli is folded in pizza dough and pressed into a semicircular shape. Additional ingredients can be added such as traditional pizza toppings (mushrooms, pepperoni, peppers, etc.), but it is these rudimentary factors that give a Nic-o-boli its uniqueness among Italian and Italian American dishes in the pizza family.

History

The Nic-o-boli concept started with Nicholas Caggiano, the child of Italian immigrants who migrated to Delaware, USA. In 1970, Nicholas and his wife Joan baked and sold pizzas out of the back of their Rehoboth Beach home to help pay for their daughter's medical bills^[2]. Friends encouraged them to make a living out of the pizza business, and in 1971, the Caggianos borrowed $5,000 from an uncle and opened Nicola Pizza in Rehoboth Beach^[3]. The restaurant seated barely 20 people. Today, the line regularly trails out the door to into the expanded 200 seat capacity dining room^[4].

In 1972, Caggiano began to bake stromboli for employees, however, the dough was rolled into calzone shape for its simplicity, and used pizza ingredients that were easily available^[3]. The end product was so successful among employees that by 1973, Caggiano had trademarked his new product^[5] and began selling his now-famous^[6] Nic-o-boli over the counter to customers^[7].

Because of the desirable vacation destination Rehoboth Beach provides for Washingtonians, and the long-standing reputation of Caggiano's creation, the Nic-o-boli has attracted the like of George and Barbara Bush who had Nic-o-boli's shipped to them at the White House. Brett Favre and his family also had the Nic-o-boli delivered to their home. Chelsea Clinton dined at the restaurant during June Week of her Senior year in high school. James Brady, Kathie Lee Gifford and Cal Ripken and family have all been regular customers. Jim Cramer of CNBC's MAD MONEY has been a customer of Nicola Pizza also and has raved about the homemade sauce on his nationally televised show on several different occasions. Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, who vacations in the area every year for a few weeks, can also be spotted at the restaurant enjoying his favorite, the sweet pepper Nic-o-boli. ^[8].

In April 2010, a second Nicola Pizza restaurant was opened on Rehoboth Avenue, just around the corner from the first. It is considerably larger than the original, and has two floors and two bars. The upstairs is known as the Upper Deck Sports Bar with over 20 TV's. The inside furnishings are similar to those of the first Nicola Pizza, which still operates. You can enjoy the Nic-o-boli at either location.

References

1. ^ Nicola Pizza, Rehoboth Beach - IgoUgo Reviews
2. ^ Delaware Beach Life Featured Article: August 2004
3. ^ ^{a b} Nicola Pizza in Philadelphia, PA - AOL City Guide
4. ^ Latest Reviews of Nicola Pizza
5. ^ TESS - Error
6. ^ "Weekend Getaways". Washingtonian Magazine. 2006. http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/travel/1859.html. Retrieved 2007-09-23. 
7. ^ Nicola Pizza, Rehoboth Beach, DE 800.640.4906
8. ^ Chesapeake Life, travel articles & reviews in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia & other mid-Atlantic destinations