Shop ‘n’ Win a big hit at cozy Cestra’s Pizza

Shop ‘n’ Win a big hit at cozy Cestra’s Pizza

In a borough where pizza can be found on the corner of almost every street, one pizzeria stands out amongst the rest for its fine food and quality service.

Benny Berisha, owner of Cestra’s Pizza, located at 3617 E. Tremont Avenue, bought the store over eight years ago, after working in the food industry more than 10 years.

Berisha wanted to create a business that was family oriented and neighborhood friendly. After searching through a wide variety of locations, he fell in love with the atmosphere surrounding Cestra’s Pizza.

Berisha takes pride in keeping this spot one of the better-kept secrets of the Bronx, where all the workers and customers are like one big family.

“We have a lot of regulars, we like to be a nice cozy local spot,” said Berisha, who recently moved to the neighborhood to be closer to the community. “Many people, including kids, stop by just to say hello.”

According to Berisha, about 98% of the food and ingredients are prepared fresh in the store by one of two cooks, to ensure the quality of their products.

“We use the best ingredients as possible and have respect for the people when they come in,” said Berisha. “When our regulars come in we recognize them and greatly appreciate their business.”

Cestra’s customers mostly enjoy the grilled chicken and chicken parmigiana, but Berisha’s own favorites include the vegetable pizza and chicken pie. But no matter which entre you choose, the goal of Cestra’s is their consistency, keeping their secret recipe the same throughout the years.

“If you come and eat something today, and then one year from now, it will taste the same,” said Berisha. “We try to keep our food consistent because people like it.”

Trying to help his customers in these troubled times, Cestra’s is participating in the Bronx Times Reporter’s Shop ‘n’ Win offer. If a customer spends $75 or more, they will receive tickets to select events including Stomp, Sports Museums of America, Disney on Ice, a Broadway show, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey, a Nets game, and Rock of Ages.

Participants must send in a filled out coupon, found in any local Community New Group Newspaper, with a receipt from the restaurant, postmarked on or before December 29, to receive a pair of tickets.

Cestra’s is also offering people 10% off $ 20 purchases, 15% off $ 35 dollar purchases, and free soda with a large pie on Fridays.

People are welcome to stop in during store hours on Monday through Saturday from 11a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., or call 718-518-7900.