New Pizzeria opens on E. Tremont

New Pizzeria opens on E. Tremont
Photo by Kirsten Sanchez

Stop by and have a slice of Vito Elia’s pizza pie.

After successfully opening and running Vito’s Deli on Crosby Avenue for the past 12 years, the Country Club native is now trying his hand at making pizza.

Elia, 52, held a grand opening for Vito’s Pizza at 3579 E. Tremont Avenue in May.

The day-to-day operations are run by Elia’s son Andrew, as he is busy running the deli.

“Everyone from the deli has been over here,” Andrew said, of people from the neighborhood. “Everyone from the neighborhood knows us, so everyone has been supportive.”

The new pizzeria manager said his father was always involved in the food business.

“My father is always looking to experience new things, and that’s just what he did,” he said.

Most of Elia’s recipes came from his mother, who immigrated to the Bronx from Italy.

“His mother was a very good cook,” Elia’s son said. “My grandmother was an old school Italian. My father has all of her recipes.”

Vito’s Pizzeria offers a variety of Italian foods in addition to pizza including, Penne Vodka, Chicken Parmesan and Eggplant.

But, Andrew said it is their specialty pies that makes Vito’s different from other pizzeria’s in the neighborhood.

“Right now we make some very good specialty pies that people really don’t make,” Andrew said.

Some of Vito’s specialty pies include a chicken and broccoli pie, a penne alla vodka pie, and a chicken marsala pie.

The people’s choice is definitely their “Grandma Pie,” according to Andrew.

Elia’s grandma pie takes its name from its old Italian roots and simple ingredients, the way it was done back in the old days.

“Our grandma pie is the best in the neighborhood, I’ve heard that from many people,” Andrew said.

The pie is made on a thin crust with fresh mozzarella, marinara sauce and basil.

“Personally I like the Grandma Pie— it’s the best,” Elia said.

Vito’s Pizza at 3579 E. Tremont Avenue is open Monday to Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 9 p.m.

For more information, contact Vito’s Pizza at 347-691-3606.

Kirsten Sanchez can be reach via e-mail at ksanchez@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3394