Rizzo's: Fine pizza in Astoria and on the LES

Rizzo’s Fine Pizza serves what it calls a “thin-crust Sicilian.” Sometimes it seems closer to a grandma-style pizza, but I’m not going to quibble. Bottom line is that it’s a unique and delicious slice. ⠀

Rizzo's Pizza 'thin-crust Sicilian' slice — Rizzo’s calls its unique square slices “thin-crust Sicilian.” Each smallish rectangular pie is cut into 6 slices, each slice with one approximately 2-by-3-inch rectangle of low-moisture mozzarella cheese.

The crust is crisp, light, and airy, topped with plenty of sauce, a lot of Romano, and one rectangular slice of mozzarella.

The pizzeria originated in Astoria, Queens, in 1959, and the original location is still there, its glorious neon sign beckoning slice hounds. After building a solid citywide reputation, they expanded to the Lower East Side in 2013.

As an Astoria resident from 2010 to 2015, I took great pride in pointing people to Rizzo’s as a shining example of neighborhood eats. It’s one of the things I miss the most after having moved deeper out in Queens to Forest Hills.

It was great to reacquaint myself with the slice last night on the Lower East Side—and I’m happy to report that Rizzo’s LES seems just as fine as the original. Until next post, people, hasta la pizza. 😊🍕✌

Rizzo’s Fine Pizza, Astoria:30-13 Steinway Street, Astoria NY 11103; 718-721-9862; rizzosfinepizza.com

Rizzo’s Fine Pizza, LES:17 Clinton Street, New York NY 10002; 646-454-1262; rizzosfinepizza.com