Biden: 'I’m a pizza guy!'

Biden picks up a few pies at Catanzaro’s Pizza and Subs in Springfield, Ohio. | AP Photo Close

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- After a joint appearance with President Obama in Dayton on Tuesday, Vice President Joe Biden headed here to Springfield, where he made a surprise stop at Russ & Joe Catanzaro’s Pizza and Subs.

Signs in the window proclaimed “It’s the pizza of your dreams” and “Some Italian art is stared at, some is devoured.” Another sign out front boasted “Voted city’s best meatball submarines & killer Rueben.”

Biden was greeted inside by several members of the Catanzaro family. To the youngest, a boy of about nine named Nicholas Catanzaro, Biden said, “Good to see you man.” To the others, he proffered his usual greeting: “Hey guys, how are you?” He then went behind the counter and took pictures with the crew of about six.

“Congratulations on your debate,” one of the workers, Jeff Parkin, told him. “I really enjoyed it very much.”

Joe Catanzaro (from the restaurant name) told Biden that he had a lot of supporters in Local 402, United Auto Workers, whose members work at Navistar International in Springfield. Biden then shook his hand vigorously and patted him on the shoulder.

Another worker said, “thanks for coming,” to which Biden replied, “Are you kidding me? I’m a pizza guy!”