South Philly’s Skinny Joey’s Cheesesteaks, the sandwich shop co-owned by Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino, is heading for the Jersey Shore. The chain is rolling out a new spot on the Wildwood Boardwalk at Magnolia Avenue, with plans to open later this summer and hiring already underway ahead of beach season.
Boardwalk Spot Lined Up on Magnolia Avenue
According to NBC10 Philadelphia, the Wildwood outpost will sit on Magnolia Avenue along the boardwalk and is expected to open later this summer. NBC10 reports the chain is looking to bring on cooks, managers, pizza makers and counter staff, with a job fair slated for Saturday, May 9.
What the Brand Says
The team at Skinny Joey’s has already teased the expansion on its official channels and continues to highlight its original South Philadelphia shop on the Skinny Joey’s Cheesesteaks site. The flagship is listed at 3020 S. Broad St., a short walk from Lincoln Financial Field and the rest of the South Philly sports complex. That same online announcement served as the first public confirmation that Wildwood was next.
Owner's Record and Public Profile
The expansion also keeps the spotlight on co-owner Merlino, who has a lengthy criminal record and pleaded guilty in 2018 to a federal gambling-related charge, as reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer. He previously served a longer prison term following a 2001 racketeering conviction and has since moved into restaurant and media projects.
What to Watch This Summer
For Wildwood locals and seasonal workers, the hiring push is already on. The job fair mentioned in the announcement is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, from noon to 4 p.m., suggesting the team wants the grills hot and the counters staffed before the crowds hit full stride. Regional coverage from the Asbury Park Press, served through AOL, also notes the Magnolia Avenue boardwalk location. An exact opening date has not yet been announced, and we will update once Skinny Joey’s pins one down.
