This past weekend I headed east along with hordes of other Philadelphians who endure traffic for a two-day break from the city at our collective summer home, the New Jersey shore.

This weekend the destination was Ocean City, N.J. My sister was in a wedding, and I offered to babysit my five-month-old niece. It has been years since I visited Ocean City, having opted for more southern shore towns in my twenties when I felt I outgrew this family-friendly town. As I crossed the bridge into Ocean City, I became quite nostalgic for the many icons that make Ocean City a destination like no other in New Jersey.

I mapped out an itinerary of my favorite spots. Of course the beach and boardwalk topped the list. Then, great gifts and treats from Johnson’s Popcorn and Shriver’s Salt Water Taffy. What I looked forward to most was my favorite pizza in the world — Mack and Manco’s Pizza.

As a young girl, there was no greater destination than a table at Mack and Manco’s on the Ocean City boardwalk — sitting with your girlfriends, sipping soda and eating pizza with the smell of the sea air and, of course, admiring the handsome young men on staff to serve you the best pizza on the boardwalk.

Upon checking into my hotel, I mentioned my excitement to revisit the pizza shop and was told that Mack and Manco’s was no longer. The name was now Manco and Manco. I was devastated to imagine a falling out between the families who brought me and many others so many happy memories. And even more so, to think the next generation of shore-goers would miss out on the iconic boardwalk pizza.

With some research, I learned Mack and Manco’s was started by cousins Vincent Manco and Anthony Mack. The cousins came from Trenton in 1956 to open a shop on the Ocean City boardwalk. They expanded to multiple Ocean City locations in the 1980s and later in Wildwood.

In June 2011 the families ended their 55-year partnership. The Ocean City boardwalk locations took the name Manco and Manco Pizza. Mack’s Pizza continues to operate in Wildwood. It was quite impressive that the separation appears to be amicable. Mack and Manco guarantee no impact to the taste or experience we have come to expect.

I am happy to report the store on 12th Street was as bustling as I remembered, and the pizza was out of this world. I highly recommend indulging in a Manco and Manco pizza or a Mack’s pizza when visiting the New Jersey shore. You will not be disappointed.

— Danielle Hudena, director of sales and marketing