Bona Pizza owner loves new location in Long Neck

Making the transition from naval engineer to pizza maker is not as much of a stretch as one might think. It’s a natural transition in the mind of Afif Doumit, owner of Bona Pizza on Long Neck Road.

“I’m not just a pizza maker; I’m educated too,” said the Villanova University graduate.

The jovial Doumit is a hard worker who loves the beach area, although he doesn’t get to see the actual beach that much.

Bona Pizza recently opened at its new location after more than seven years in Pelican Square off Route 1 near Lewes.

The move was not anticipated, but Doumit said it has been great. “I’m glad it happened because now my rental days are over,” he said.

He purchased the building on Long Neck Road. “It’s like a dream come true. We are really happy here,” he said.

Doumit said he has retained more than half of his old customers and is picking up new ones every day. “Everybody knows that we are the best,” he said.

Doumit runs the restaurant with his wife, Fida; son, George; and daughter, Maya.

Although Bona Pizza has been busy in the few days it has been open, Doumit can’t wait for the summer season. “Just look at the traffic now. Imagine what it’s going to be like in a few months,” he says, as he looks out the window.

Doumit worked as a U.S. Navy engineer in the Philadelphia shipyards, but also learned the restaurant business working part time for a friend.

“I had always dreamed that some day I would have my own business,” he said.

When work at the shipyards became scarce, the Doumit family moved south to Rehoboth Beach. “We’ve always been successful – much more than I could ever expect,” Doumit said.

Doumit said owning your business has taught him one basic philosophy. “If you succeed, you tap yourself on the back; if you don’t, you kick your own ass,” he said.

Although the name says Bona Pizza, the restaurant features Mediterranean dishes such as falafel, grape leaves and gyros, with pastries baklava and cannoli. Those are served side-by-side with burgers and wings.

Doumit said the ingredients are always fresh. “If you freeze it, it has no taste,” he said.

The Doumits bake real New York-style pizzas. “Others may say they have them, but they don’t know what New York style is. We also specialize in white gourmet pizza,” he said.

Bona Pizza offers delivery in a limited area and also does catering. The restaurant is open every day except major holidays; it’s open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the summer season. Hours are trimmed back a little in the off-season.

Bona Pizza offers a weekly special of two large cheese pizzas for $21 Sunday through Wednesday. Phone 302-945-5554 or 947-9494 for more information.