In St. John’s near Jacksonville, a local pizzeria is approaching its third year in business this summer and reflecting on its journey so far. Located at 4021 County Rd 210 Ste 3, Amore Mio has proven itself to be an intimate but ambitious operation, with big plans ahead.
At the center is owner Dennis Waugerman, who “grew up in the business,” learning alongside his father and extended Italian family. He launched his first restaurant at 24, later selling it and opening two others, and then started a food truck in 2015.
He opened Amore Mio Pizzeria in August 2023. The debut, however, didn’t come without challenges. The venue had to close twice within its first few weeks. First, for electrical issues and system malfunctions, and then again shortly after, when a brand-new pizza oven failed.
But by September, the restaurant reopened successfully, and it has “evolved into a very smooth operation with many customers leaving wonderful reviews and spreading the word,” he explained. “All you need is love and pizza that is made with love.”
Business has been so successful, in fact, that there are plans in the works for expansion to two additional restaurants within the next five years, What Now learned exclusively.
At its current location, a 1,600-square-foot establishment, there is seating for 50 dine-in customers. With 13 employees, there is a structured system of waitstaff, drivers, and a takeout attendant to keep service flowing efficiently. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM, and Sundays from noon to 8 PM.
Its specialty style is considered a blend between New York and Neapolitan. Amore Mio’s dough is made fresh daily and fermented for 24 to 48 hours, creating a light, airy crust with a thin base and balanced structure. Beyond pies, standout items include the chicken alla vodka sub and a variety of house-made pasta dishes.
The menu was crafted from Waugerman’s decades of experience and recipes passed down from Naples and Sicily. The recipes are “from generations ago with true fresh Italian flavors,” he shared.
“We wanted to give St. John’s County an authentic Italian pizzeria. So we opened Amore Mio to offer authentic Italian cuisine made with love!”
