A Maryland restaurant legend is celebrating a remarkable milestone this week. “Grandma Beall,” co-founder of the iconic Ledo Pizza, has turned 101 years old.
Born and raised in Maryland, Thelma Beall and her late husband, Bob Beall, opened the original Ledo Pizza in 1955 in Adelphi, creating what would become one of the state’s most recognizable and beloved food institutions. Their signature square pizzas with sweet tomato sauce, smoked provolone cheese, and thick-cut pepperoni helped define what many now refer to as “Maryland style pizza.”
Ledo Pizza shared a heartfelt birthday tribute on social media, writing, “🎉 HAPPY 101st BIRTHDAY to Grandma Beall! Born and raised in Maryland, she and her husband, Bob Beall, founded Ledo Pizza in 1955. We love you Grandma and wish you a Happy Birthday!” The post includes a photo of her smiling alongside her grandson, Jamie Beall, who now serves as Ledo Pizza’s CEO and continues to carry on the family legacy.
From a single neighborhood restaurant to more than 100 locations across the east coast, Ledo Pizza’s success is deeply tied to the Beall family’s recipe, vision, and community-first approach. Grandma Beall’s 101st birthday not only celebrates her life but also honors seven decades of Maryland culinary history, one square slice at a time.
