Eli Manning Surprises Pizzeria Owner with Late-Night Order

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Alban Pilinci, the owner of Pizza Cento, received an unexpected online order on Nov. 2. The name on the order was Eli Manning, the former New York Giants quarterback and two-time Super Bowl champion.

Initially, Pilinci thought it was a prank. “I thought someone was [expletive] with me,” he told the Daily Record. He showed the order receipt to his employees, doubting that the real Manning would order pizzas.

However, shortly after the order was placed at 7:11 p.m., Manning arrived at the counter. Pilinci was the only staff member left at the restaurant, giving him a rare chance to meet his sports idol.

As the pizzeria was about to close, Pilinci became curious about the order’s delivery and called the number listed. An automated message greeted him, which made him hesitate. He called back, and to his surprise, Manning picked up.

“Right when he picked up, I knew it was him,” Pilinci recalled. Manning explained he was at a nearby ice rink with his daughter and would come by shortly to collect his pizzas.

Before hanging up, Pilinci asked, “By the way, is this Eli Manning?” The legendary quarterback chuckled and confirmed his identity.

Once Manning arrived, Pilinci shared a handshake and took a photo for the restaurant’s social media pages. In his excitement, he forgot to have Manning sign his receipt.

Pilinci described Manning as a “nice guy” and expressed hope that the Giants legend would return to Pizza Cento in the future. “He gave me two of my best memories, let’s just say that,” Pilinci said.