RJ Pizza moves to Sugar King Park

RJ Pizza has moved to its new location inside Sugar King Park. (MARK RABAGO)

Just in time for the holidays, RJ Pizza has relocated from Garapan to the Sugar King Park as the takeout stand hopes to add tourists to its steadily growing clientele.

According to owner Romeo Bautista, RJ Pizza started as a home-based business in 2015 before moving to Garapan a block behind Dollar Days and beside JCC Frutas. He named his business after his two sons—Roman and Jacob.

It was there that the pizza joint gained a cult following among Filipinos who are used to eating pizza on the sweeter side. Bautista said he made the move to Sugar King Park along Middle Road so RJ Pizza can attract tourists that frequently visit the site.

“We decided to move to Sugar King Park last Dec. 15 so the pizza stand would get more exposure not only to local customers but also tourists and families that spend their time at the park,” he said.

Bautista has been on Saipan since 2007. Prior to coming to the CNMI, he worked as a cook at iconic fast-food restaurants in the Philippines such as Jollibee, Pizza Hut, Greenwich Pizza, and Dunkin Donuts. In his more than a decade on island, he has worked for 360 Restaurant, American Pizza, and Himawari.

RJ Pizza became famous for pizza toppings like ham and cheese, pepperoni, Hawaiian, chicken, special, and meat lovers, but soon branched out to sweet Filipino spaghetti and crispy fried chicken. Their pizzas are sold either as a whole or half.

It also has pizza and spaghetti (solo) combos starting at $16 (add $5 for three pieces of fried chicken) and spaghetti meals as low as $5.50. Going to a potluck party? RJ Pizza also has spaghetti party pans at $25, $35, and $50.

Bautista said the secret behind RJ Pizza’s popularity is everything that’s made at the stand are home-made and they don’t make compromises in taste.

“What makes RJ Pizza different is it’s a home-made pizza. We also make our own dough, sauce, and toppings. The product is a thin and crispy pizza,” he said.

So far, so good, as in a week or so since RJ Pizza relocated to its new digs along Middle Road, where Bitoy’s BBQ is its neighbor, the business has been thriving, according to Bautista.

“Sugar King Park is a good location. I already have a lot more customers since moving to this new place a week ago,” he said.

RJ Pizza is open from 10am to 8pm, Monday-Friday, and 12pm to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday.

For orders and for more information, call Bautista at 285-9600.