Dante Marino: Dead Proof’s Next Chapter -- From Pop-Up to Permanent | Ep. 41

He was Episode 6. Now he's back for Episode 41 -- and a lot has changed.

Dante Marino, owner of DeadProof Pizza, was one of the very first guests on Beyond the Plate -- back when he was running pop-ups, grinding it out at Torch, and dreaming of a permanent spot. Since then: Best Pizza in New Hampshire from WUR, Best Food Truck and Pop-Up from NH Magazine, and a Restaurant of the Year win at the NH Hospitality Leadership Awards -- where Bobby Marotte introduced him to the room and Dante gave a speech straight from the heart.

In this episode, Carol sits back down with Dante to cover everything: the four-week run at Torch that built serious momentum, the Bonfire flood that forced them out, and how "Mama Lee" Lisa from RigaTony's handed him the keys to Clam Haven during one of the coldest winters NH has seen in years. People lined up in negative 10-degree weather down Island Pond Road. 400 pounds of chicken tendies a week. Open 22 hours. Sold out every time.

And then -- the big announcement. Clam Haven in Derry is becoming the permanent home of DeadProof Pizza. A kid from Derry, taking over a local institution, and building it exactly the way he imagined it.T

hey also get into online reviews and why they're quietly crushing small businesses, collaboration over competition in the Manchester food scene, the tendies and scratch sauce R&D process, what the new DeadProof space is going to look and feel like -- and what Dante would tell any small business owner going through a setback right now.

📍 DeadProof Pizza -- Clam Haven, Derry NH

🔗 deadproofpizzaco.com

📱 @deadproofpizzaco🎙️ Haven't heard Episode 6 -- Carol Meets DeadProof?

That's where it all started. Watch it here first 👇

youtu.be/tlDDL1P0ohw?si=wU-Yjtyu5Cn_NgzN🔔 New episodes drop every Tuesday -- hit SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications so you never miss one!

👇 Find everything Beyond the Plate:

linktr.ee/BeyondtheplateNH

ABOUT BEYOND THE PLATE WITH CAROL

Carol Erickson, owner of Red Arrow Diner since 1987, sits down with the people behind New Hampshire's food and hospitality scene. It's not just about the food -- it's about the journeys, the community, and what drives people to go beyond.📍 Red Arrow Diner -- 4 NH locations, open 24/7 | redarrowdiner.comFollow Carol: @carolsew24 on Instagram

Follow Red Arrow Diner:

@redarrow24diner on Instagram | Red Arrow Diner on Facebook

TIMESTAMPS0:00 - Intro

0:10 - Welcome back, Dante -- Carol's first return guest

0:31 - Episode 6 to Episode 40: a lot has changed

1:08 - The Torch run: what it was like finally having a home

2:37 - The neon signs, skateboard menus & the vibe that clicked

5:21 - The Bonfire flood -- and why Dante stepped away graciously

7:47 - Taran, Fresh AF Bake Shop & being opposite schedules 😂

8:13 - The awards -- Best Pizza in NH, NH Magazine, and the big one

10:26 - Moving home with mom to keep his team paid

12:10 - Bobby Marott calling his name at the NHL Awards -- surreal

14:48 - "I had every reason for this not to work. You can do it."

15:10 - Mid-conversation plug: find DeadProof at deadproofpizzaco.com

15:35 - Carol's Red Arrow weave-in: what real recognition feels like

17:16 - Online reviews & the 3 people who didn't show up because of one comment

19:27 - How does Clam Haven enter the picture?

20:25 - "Mama Lee" Lisa opens her doors -- and cleans the whole place

23:36 - Lines in negative 10° weather down Island Pond Road

24:08 - 150 lbs of chicken tendies to 400 lbs a week -- in January

26:00 - From the trailer to inside Clam Haven -- and pizza finally arrives

26:49 - THE ANNOUNCEMENT: Clam Haven is becoming the new home of DeadProof 🎙️

30:43 - The vision: neon signs, community art board, after-dark menu & ice cream

32:00 - Surprise nods to Clam Haven planned for the new space

32:58 - Enter: the chicken tendies

34:25 - Gold Fever Dream, Bandit Ranch & all-scratch sauces

36:37 - The Nines Fries: the secret menu item that refused to stay secret

39:11 - Hospitality first -- protecting the people culture through chaos

43:00 - Moving home, six souls on payroll, gas pedal all the way down

45:14 - Before the lightning round: what to say to a small business in a setback

45:17 - "Keep going. Leverage your people." -- Dante's advice

47:27 - Lightning Round: Drama Queen pizza, booth or counter, banana pepperoni 🔥

48:15 - Pancakes or waffles?

51:42 - Stratam Hill Park -- Dead Proof's surprise favorite spot

52:11 - Date night in NH & the Chili's first date story 😂

54:43 - What are you most proud of?

55:26 - "Unreasonable hospitality" -- and Wera Buffett following Dante

56:17 - Closing