Upclose: PieZano’s of Northport

395 Fort Salonga Road  Northport
631-651-5015
piezanosofnorthport.com

For John and Ralph, the owners of PieZano’s of Northport, running a restaurant is about more than serving great food. It is about creating a place where customers feel at home and where the community knows they are always welcome.

The restaurant originally opened in 2013 as Mamma Mia’s. Several years later, during the COVID era and after a third business partner retired, John and Ralph decided it was time for a change, renaming the restaurant PieZano’s.

Both owners brought years of experience in the pizza and restaurant business to their partnership. Ralph, who grew up in Naples, Italy, has been in the pizza business since he was just 12 years old. Over the years, he owned restaurants in Florida, Manhattan and Nassau County, while John previously owned a restaurant in Huntington.

When the opportunity arose to open a restaurant in Northport, the location felt like a natural fit. “We always liked that area,” John said. “Northport has always been a place that Ralph and I both loved.”

From the beginning, their vision was to create a family friendly neighborhood pizzeria with an old school feel. Over the years, that welcoming atmosphere has helped Piezano’s build strong relationships with its customers, many of whom have become friends. “We try to do the right thing,” John said. “We try to provide good food, good service and do the right thing by people.”

Their partnership has evolved over time as well. John originally spent more time in the kitchen, while Ralph focused on the front of the restaurant. Today, both owners enjoy being out front, interacting with guests and staying connected with the people who walk through their doors. Their years of experience allow them to learn from one another while continuing to bring new ideas to the business.

“We get along great,” John said. “It’s a partnership, but it’s also been a great friendship.”

For first time customers, John recommends trying the upside-down pizza or one of
PieZano’s deep dish pies. For those looking for dinner, the Chicken Piezano is one of the restaurant’s signature dishes and a longtime customer favorite.

John credits much of the restaurant’s success to the loyalty and support of the Northport community. “The best thing about Northport is that it’s such a tight community,” he said. “Everybody looks out for the businesses, and it’s a great thing.”

That support has helped PieZano’s earn several awards, including being voted Best Pizza on Long Island for the past two years, an accomplishment John and Ralph are especially proud of.

Looking ahead, the pair is proud of what they have built while continuing to experiment with new dishes, pizzas and menu ideas. No matter what they introduce next, the heart of PieZano’s remains the same: good food, familiar faces and a strong connection to the Northport community.