Hammonton Bakery Brings South Philly’s Thanksgiving Turkey Tradition to South Jersey
Cacia’s Bakery and Deli continues its 70-year South Philadelphia Thanksgiving turkey tradition at its Hammonton location, drawing South Jersey residents who rely on its professional oven roasted turkeys for the holiday.
HAMMONTON – A South Philadelphia Thanksgiving tradition is also alive in South Jersey. Cacia’s Bakery and Deli on 12th Street roasts holiday turkeys in its brick oven, just like its Philadelphia location.
The Hammonton store accepts a limited number of reservations, while in Philadelphia, people began lining up around 4 a.m. to have their turkeys cooked.
Mike Kelsey of Hammonton has been bringing his turkeys to Cacia’s for the past 20 years.
“It’s just easier, and the turkeys taste better,” Kelsey said.
Jeff Kinnard of Atco agreed.
“I love it,” Kinnard said. “They really help us out.”
The tradition began about 70 years ago in South Philadelphia as a way for the bakery to generate extra income on what would otherwise be a slow day. Since the bakeries do not make their regular deliveries on Thanksgiving, they started using their brick ovens to cook turkeys for customers. Families season their turkeys to their liking and let Cacia’s handle the rest.
Once the tradition caught on, it expanded — and it continues to this day.
Maureen Vitullo of Linwood had her turkey roasted at Cacia’s for the first time this year. While it was new to her, she said the concept itself wasn’t.
Vitullo recalled that when she was growing up, Mino’s Bakery in Pleasantville offered the same service, though it hasn’t happened there in years.
Still, she said she loved the idea of letting a bakery handle the turkey.
“It’s easier,” Vitullo said.
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