Famous Pronto Brings Big Apple Pizza to Dunedin

 is a rare breed in this day and age — it can claim to offer New York-style pizza without being a marketing ploy. 

Co-owner and chef Sam Troche opened his first pizza parlor in the heart of the Big Apple in 1984, and after moving to Florida eight years ago, he opened four more restaurants in the Ocala area before the economy forced him to close a couple of them.

Now, thanks to a friend who wanted to bring a real New York-style pizzeria to Dunedin, Troche has a place to create his signature Italian dishes.

He celebrated the grand opening on March 4. 

“After seeing the pizza places in this state, I said, ‘This place needs help’,” Troche said. 

Being in the middle of a county flush with authentic New York pizzerias didn’t faze Troche, 43. Although, he admits life is a little different on the Gulf Coast compared to central Florida. 

“In Ocala I am the big fish in a little pond. Here I’m a little fish in a big pond,” he said.

Pizza is Pronto's specialty — from Chicago to New York to thin-crust Italian. But as their slogan goes, they’ve got more than just pizza. The menu also features tradition Italian dishes like lasagna, baked ziti, eggplant parm and chicken cacciatore, as well as calzones, strombolis, salads and seafood. 

Pronto also serves beer and wine, does catering, has delivery service and offers not-on-the-menu chef’s specials on weekends. 

Although Troche admits business has been a bit slow to start, despite being in the bustling Granada Shopping Center next to Publix, he believes it will only be a matter of time before things pick up.

In fact, he hopes to open another location in the area sometime in the future. 

“No matter where I go, there’s always a need for good pizza.”

Famous Pronto Pizza

• Address: 1493 Main St.
• Phone: 727-330-7617
• Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.