Business & Tech

Hoagie Haven Owners Launching Pizza Restaurant

The Matalbes brothers are expanding their presence on East Nassau Street, with the new restaurant expected to open by Memorial Day.

 

More than seven years after taking over management of Hoagie Haven, the Maltabes brothers are opening a pizza restaurant next door on Nassau Street.

Slice Between, located at 242 Nassau Street, is expected to open by Memorial Day, although the exact date is not yet final.

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“There are so many things going on,” said Costa Maltabes, who runs Hoagie Haven along with his brother Mike Maltabes. “I’m hoping for May 21, but I’m not going to promise anything.”

Old World Pizza used to occupy the space, but moved out a couple of weeks ago, Costa Maltabes said. He could not confirm if the business moved out willingly or if its lease was not renewed.

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Work is proceeding on the building’s interior, but it’s mostly just cleaning and freshening up, including a new coat of paint. The brick pizza oven remains.

Outside, the awning has been removed, the exterior painted and a new door is on the way. A Bordentown artist is creating the outdoor sign.

On the other side of Slice Between is George’s Wings and Ribs, run by Niko Maltabes, Costa and Mike’s brother.

Hoagie Haven has been a Princeton staple since1974, serving hoagies and sandwiches and grinders to scores of loyal customers. About 30 percent of the restaurant’s customers are students and Costa Maltabes hopes to continue that tradition with Slice Between.

“We’ll maybe cater to them a little more, they’ve been very good to me here,” he said.

A slice of pizza was $2.25 at Old World Pizza, but it will probably be less expensive at Slice Between.

“The economy, people don’t have as much money to spend, even in Princeton,” Costa Maltabes said.

And there will be some new menu items, including New York style pizza and some Hoagie Haven-style sandwiches.

“We do crazy combo sandwiches, we’ll add those ideas into the pizza-making ideas as well,” he said. “I’m going to give them a nice big slice, plenty of toppings. Maybe we’ll even throw an Italian hoagie inside a calzone.”


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