This New York Pizzeria Has Been Making Its Famous Thin Crust Square Pizza Since 1959

Each slice of the famous square pie here gets exactly one rectangle of mozzarella. One. That tidy little rule has been part of the charm for decades, and I kind of love how serious it sounds.

The crust is thin and crisp, almost cracker-like. Bright tomato sauce goes on bold, then a snowfall of grated Parmigiano and Romano. When it opened, this New York shop sold only that one pie, with no toppings at all.

The family ran the pizzeria for decades, but the business has since changed ownership. That’s rare in a city where pizza spots come and go faster than subway trains. I appreciate a place that found its thing and stuck with it.

So what keeps a simple square slice so beloved after all these years? The answer starts with three relatives and a very good idea.

Two Brothers And A Brother-In-Law Started Something Big

Spring of 1959 brought a new pizzeria to Steinway Street. Brothers Joseph and Salvatore Rizzo opened Rizzo’s Fine Pizza with their brother-in-law, Hugo Lupi.

Their plan was refreshingly simple. They sold one kind of pie, a thin-crust square with sauce and cheese, and nothing else.

No toppings menu. No fancy extras. Just one pizza, made the same way, over and over again.

That kind of focus sounds bold today. Most new restaurants try to please everyone with giant menus.

The Rizzo family bet everything on a single recipe. Clearly, the bet paid off in a big way.

Decades later, the shop still sits in Astoria, Queens. It has outlasted trends, new neighbors, and plenty of changes along the street.

Food critics have praised it over the years. Families have passed down the habit of ordering here from one generation to the next.

I think there’s a lesson in that origin story. Sometimes the best plan is doing one thing really, really well.

Knowing the history makes that first slice feel a little more meaningful. You’re tasting an idea that started more than sixty years ago in New York.

One Square Slice Explains The Whole Legend

Thin is an understatement here. The famous square pie has a light, crisp crust that crackles more than it chews.

On top comes a bold layer of fresh tomato sauce. Then a generous blend of grated Parmigiano and Romano cheeses gets sprinkled across it.

The mozzarella is where things get charming. Each small rectangular pie is cut into six slices, and each slice gets one rectangle of low-moisture mozzarella.

That means the sauce stays front and center. Cheese lovers expecting a gooey blanket may need a minute to adjust.

The shop calls it the Original Thin Crust Sicilian. Some fans insist it’s its own category entirely, and honestly, they have a point.

It doesn’t look like the floppy New York slice most people picture. It’s flatter, crunchier, and much more about balance.

I’d order it plain the first time. Toppings exist, but this pie was born without them for a reason.

Grab a slice, take a bite, and listen for the crunch. You’ll understand why this simple square has carried a family business since 1959.

Garlic Knots Deserve A Spot On Your Order

Extra fluffy is how the shop describes its garlic knots. They get tossed with fresh garlic, chopped parsley, grated cheeses, and a touch of extra virgin olive oil.

Those knots are a smart partner for the square pie. The pizza brings crunch, while the knots bring soft, garlicky comfort.

Want more drama? Loaded Knots get soaked in sauce and pesto, then topped with mozzarella and bacon.

Angry Knots take a spicier route. They’re soaked in hot sauce and garlic aioli, plus mozzarella and bacon.

Beyond knots, the menu covers plenty of sides. Fries, mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders, wings, and truffle rice all show up.

Salads help balance things out. Choose from a house salad with avocado, a Caesar, or a Farmer Salad with spinach, bacon, black olives, and onion.

I can’t imagine skipping the plain knots on a first order. They’re simple, classic, and exactly the kind of thing pizza shops should nail.

Bring a friend if you’re tempted by all three versions. Sharing is generous, and it also hides how many knots you really ate.

Heroes, Pasta, And Strombolis For The Non-Slice Mood

Not every hungry moment calls for pizza. Thankfully, the kitchen here has a surprisingly deep bench.

Heroes come on fresh bread. Pick from chicken parm, meatball parm, or eggplant parm, all classic Italian-American comfort food.

Pasta covers a lot of ground too. Chicken Parmesan with pasta, arrabbiata, Alfredo, and Rizzo’s Special Marinara all appear on the menu.

There’s also Rizzo’s Specialty Marinara. With a sauce this central to the pizza, that one feels like a natural pick.

Strombolis bring even more options. Choices include Calabria, Caprese, Forte, Meatball, Chicken, Pepperoni, and Eggplant.

Calzones are available as well, such as the Elegante. It’s an easy choice for anyone who likes their fillings tucked inside a crust.

This range makes the shop handy for groups. One person can get squares while another goes straight for a meatball hero.

Families with picky eaters will appreciate that too. Chicken nuggets and fries are on the menu, so the kids are covered.

Still, I’d add at least one square slice to the table. Coming here and skipping it feels like visiting a beach and never touching the water.

Round Pies And Wild Specialty Names Join The Party

Aumma Aumma might be the most fun pizza name in Queens. It’s loaded with sausage, meatballs, ricotta, sauce, and mozzarella.

Over time, Rizzo’s Fine Pizza grew past its one-pie beginnings. The menu now includes a classic thin-crust round pie and an ultra-thin Neapolitan style.

The round pie keeps things familiar. It comes with sauce, a blend of grated cheeses, and a light topping of aged mozzarella.

Specialty pies bring the personality. The Cafona pairs ricotta and pepperoni, while the Bandiera piles on spinach, fresh garlic, and ricotta.

Vegetable fans can go for the Giardino. It has mushrooms, black olives, fresh pepper, onion, tomato, and garlic with marinara.

Craving something smoky? The Americana skips tomato sauce for BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, bacon, and red onion.

The Diavola turns up the heat. It adds hot sauce and Parmigiano aioli to that BBQ chicken combo.

I’d probably start with the square, then sneak in a specialty slice for round two. Variety is easier to enjoy when the original is already in your belly.

Vegan And Gluten-Free Fans Get A Real Seat At The Table

Good news for anyone skipping dairy. Rizzo’s Fine Pizza offers vegan versions of both its square and round cheese pizzas.

These pies use shredded Daiya vegan cheese. That means plant-based eaters can still try the famous square shape and sauce.

Specialty vegan pies are also on the menu. The Giardino and Primavera both come in vegan versions with that same dairy-free cheese.

Gluten-free pizza is available too. For a shop that started with just one recipe, that’s a thoughtful change.

I appreciate when an old-school spot makes room for new needs. Nobody likes watching friends eat pizza while they nibble on a napkin.

This flexibility makes group orders easier. A vegan friend, a gluten-free cousin, and a classic-loving grandpa can all share one table.

It also says something about the people continuing the pizzeria’s traditions under newer ownership. They protected the original while still listening to how people eat today.

If you have serious allergies, ask the staff about your needs before ordering. They can help you pick the best option for your situation.

Then relax and enjoy. Everyone deserves a crunchy slice in New York.

Look For The Glowing Neon Sign On Steinway Street

Some signs just feel like old friends. The original Astoria shop is known for its glorious neon sign glowing over the sidewalk.

You’ll find it at 30-13 Steinway St, Astoria, NY 11103. Steinway Street is a busy shopping corridor in Queens, so keep your eyes up.

The shop itself is small. It’s a classic neighborhood pizza place, not a sprawling sit-down restaurant.

That size is part of its personality. It feels like the kind of spot New York neighborhoods were built around.

The vibe stays casual but a little classy. Expect normal chatter, not a hushed fancy dining room.

Hours are generous, too. The shop is open daily, with later closing times on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

Plan your snapshots before you eat. Once the pizza arrives, good luck remembering your camera.

I love that the sign still matters here. In a city full of flashy new storefronts, a glowing classic tells you this place knows exactly who it is.

Spot it once, and you won’t forget where it lives.

Grab A Seat Up Front Or Take The Squares To Go

Seating is limited, so plan a little. The shop has a few seats up front, and there’s no outdoor seating.

That works fine for a quick slice. Eat a square, chat a bit, then head back out into Astoria.

Takeout is an easy option. Square pies travel well, and you can enjoy them at home or a nearby park.

Delivery is available as well. That’s great news on rainy Queens evenings when the couch feels extra comfy.

Hosting a party? The pizzeria offers catering too, which makes a crowd-pleasing spread much simpler.

Card payments are accepted. You won’t need to scramble for cash before ordering.

Don’t count on Wi-Fi, though. Honestly, that might be a plus, since pizza tastes better without scrolling.

The space is kid-friendly and bike-friendly. Families and cyclists can both stop in without fuss.

Parking is on the street, so give yourself a few extra minutes. Circling the block is basically a New York tradition anyway.

I’d go with takeout for a group and a quick seat for a solo snack. Either way, the squares are the star.

Save Room For Nutella Pizza And A Family Legacy

Dessert pizza feels a little rebellious. Rizzo’s Fine Pizza serves a Nutella Pizza, and it’s hard to ignore that idea.

A tiramisu slice is also on the menu. It’s a gentler, creamier way to close out a crunchy meal.

Drinks keep things simple. Choose from sodas, fruit-flavored drinks, sports drinks, or still and sparkling water.

Then there’s the bigger sweet spot, the family story. The Astoria shop remained in the founding family’s hands for decades before passing to new ownership.

Family-run businesses are getting rarer in New York. Rent, competition, and change make survival a real challenge.

This shop kept going by protecting its signature square. It also grew with new pies, sides, and dietary options.

I find that combination pretty inspiring. Tradition doesn’t have to mean standing still.

So finish with Nutella, or share a tiramisu slice. Either way, you’re supporting a story that’s still being written, one square at a time.