The owners of the Original Ledo Restaurant in College Park are looking for a buyer, citing a desire to retire.
Established in 1955 on University Boulevard, Ledo moved to the location at 4509 Knox Rd. in 2010 to be part of the city and the University of Maryland’s efforts to revitalize downtown.
A commercial real estate listing notes that the 5,800-square-foot restaurant will be across the street from the new City Hall complex and has had a “big price reduction.”
The restaurant was started by Tommy Marcos Sr. and Robert Beall just as the pizza craze of the 1950s was taking off. Their pizza had its signature square shape because round pans were harder to come by at the time, and the name was chosen because it was short, making it cheaper to put on the sign.
During its heyday in the 1960s, sports legends like Yogi Berra, Johnny Unitas and Joe Namath were regulars at Ledo. As the Washington Post once noted, “Frank Sinatra ordered Ledo’s takeout when he was in town. So have Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones.” In 2006, it was featured in a series on the best pizza in America on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” thanks to Maryland alum Gayle King.
As the name implies, the Original Ledo Restaurant is separate from the Ledo’s Pizza chain, which has locations from the Mid-Atlantic down to Florida. The sons of Marcos and Beall started the chain in 1989, but the Marcos family left after a legal dispute.
The resolution of the legal case allowed Jimmy and Tommy Marcos Jr. to run the Original Ledo Restaurant and another restaurant in Bowie.
Well researched story with lots of background. Thank you!
I imagine it will be cheaper to buy a franchise location. I also think the franchise has better pizza than the closed Bowie location and College Park location.
I have yet to taste a better seafood pizza than the one at the Original Ledos.
Marty Feldman
301-580-6556
Interested in business
Have previous restaurant and pizza
Experience.
Thank you.
Please call me at 3013460001
I can understand why it moved from Adelphi, but CP is no better. Being so near the subway the crime rate is awful. But in their defense none of the franchises ever get the crust right. Ever!
OMG, we have been having a big problem with the franchises in Salisbury (2 of them). They have changed the recipe (different crust, some weird oil all over the pizza and very little sauce. In other words it doesn’t taste, smell or look like a Ledo’s Pizza! I always thought the franchises were hooked with the original Ledo’s.
What is the asking price
Do you own the building
If not when does the lease expire