A SLICE OF HERITAGE: How Cousins Coal Fired Pizzeria Brought New Haven Style to Wilmington
For Joe DeLiberto, pizza has always been more than food—it’s a lifelong obsession. For his wife and business partner, Debby Ponce DeLiberto, that passion has become the foundation of a family-centered pizzeria that is bringing something special to Wilmington’s dining scene. From Northern slices and Sicilian squares to Detroit-style pies and classic New Haven apizza, Joe’s appreciation for the craft spans styles and traditions. Together, the couple transformed that enthusiasm into Cousins Coal Fired Pizzeria, Wilmington’s first coal-fired pizzeria, where every pie tells a story of creativity, heritage, and the people who matter most.
A Crust Like No Other
The story began at the couple’s local deli, where Joe and Debby started offering pizzas on Fridays. The pies quickly became a customer favorite, earning a place at the heart of the menu and planting the seeds for a dedicated pizzeria.
Even as their busy restaurant kept them occupied, Joe’s dream of opening a pizzeria of his own never faded. Debby was initially hesitant about taking on another venture, but Joe’s unwavering enthusiasm and vision eventually won her over. A year ago, Cousins Coal Fired Pizzeria opened its doors, introducing Wilmington to the distinctive character of coal-fired pizza.
At Cousins, the philosophy is simple: make the best pizza possible, embrace creativity, and honor the people who inspired them.
The pizzeria specializes in New Haven-style apizza, celebrated for its thin, crisp crust and signature charred edges. Baked in blazing coal-fired ovens and prepared with quality ingredients, each pie balances traditional techniques with bold, unexpected combinations. Among the customer favorites is The Big Momma, affectionately named after Debby herself. Featuring a rich vodka sauce base, it has become one of the menu’s most popular orders.
Another standout is The Oakie, created in collaboration with Jackson’s Big Oak BBQ. This inventive combination starts with a garlic and olive oil base, topped with Big Oak BBQ pulled pork, shredded Swiss cheese, bacon, and chopped dill pickle, before being finished with a signature garlic mayonnaise drizzle. It’s a creative meeting of barbecue and pizza that reflects the kitchen’s willingness to experiment.
With fall bringing cooler evenings and October celebrating National Pizza Month, these distinctive pies offer another reason to gather around the table and discover a new favorite.
Pies with a Purpose
While the pizza may bring people through the door, family is at the heart of Cousins Coal Fired Pizzeria.
Joe originally set out to name his pies after the women who inspired him throughout his life, including his wife, mothers, daughters, sisters, and grandmothers. What began as a personal tribute has grown into something deeply meaningful—a celebration of family, heritage, and the people whose influence stays with us long after they are gone.
Many of these beloved women are now remembered through photographs and stories displayed on the pizzeria’s walls. Their presence gives the space a sense of history and connection, ensuring that each pizza name carries a story beyond the ingredients on the plate. The family tradition continues with the newest additions to the menu, named in honor of the couple’s grandchildren, Brooks and Hayes. It’s a thoughtful way to carry their family story into the next generation, one pie at a time.
Community at the Core
For Debby and Joe DeLiberto, Cousins is about more than serving great pizza. It’s about creating a place where people can come together, share a meal, and feel connected to something larger than themselves.
The pizzeria has become part of Wilmington’s community fabric, extending its reach beyond its brick-and-mortar location. Each week, Cousins takes its pies on the road, partnering with Wilmington Brewery on Tuesday evenings and Flying Machine on Thursday evenings. For families looking to make dinner easier without sacrificing the pleasure of gathering around the table, the popular Wednesday Neighborhood Special offers pizza and wings for a family of four for just $25. Whether it’s the unmistakable crunch of New Haven-style crust, the inventive flavors of a barbecue-inspired pie, or the personal stories behind the names on the menu, Cousins brings together the things that make a meal memorable: good food, family, and community.
At Cousins Coal Fired Pizzeria, you’re not simply picking up a pizza. You’re stepping into a family story, sharing in a rich tradition, and experiencing the kind of passion that comes from a lifelong love affair with pizza. And in a place where every pie has a purpose, the best ingredient may be the connection it creates around the table.
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