The Pizzeria Of Smithtown Opens: 'The Town Has Been Wonderful So Far'

SMITHTOWN, NY — The Pizzeria of Smithtown has opened at 88 E. Main St., Smithtown.

It marks the seventh location for The Pizzeria; the others being in Lake Grove, Babylon, Bay Shore, Lindenhurst, Islip and Bayport.

The eatery replaces Buona Sera, which had been open for 16 years before closing.

Cliff Weinstein, co-owner of The Pizzeria, said a lot of customers of other locations suggested Smithtown as a possible destination.

"We listen to our customers from other locations on where they suggest we open," Weinstein told Patch. "When we had the opportunity to take over Buona Sera, renovate it, and basically gut the whole thing and put our bar in, our decor, we thought it was a great opportunity."

Weinstein is joined by Dan Saccoccio and Paul Saccoccio to form the ownership trio.

Thursday marks the first day The Pizzeria is truly open to the public, Weinstein said.

"We’ve had a few friends and family nights. A lot of local people who live around here. I feel like that buzz is going around. We’re hearing it. The town has been amazing thus far."

What makes good pizza, Weinstein said, is fresh ingredients, good cheese, and "great pizza-makers."

"They make all the difference," he said. "I think those are the key ingredients."

Pizza pies come in round and square. Round pies include regular, vodka margherita, Buffalo chicken, chicken bacon ranch and the tri-fecta, with vodka sauce, pizza sauce and pesto; and more.

The Aunt Danielle comes with vodka sauce, pepperoni, stracciatella cheese, fresh basil, and hot honey on an olive oil crust. The Uncle Benny features fresh mozzarella, cup and char pepperoni, pizza sauce, crumbled sausage, hot honey, and basil on an olive oil crust.

Square pies come in Sicilian, grandma, upside down, hot honey and pepperoni, vodka with crumbled sausage, white, meatball burrata, and Thai chili chicken.

Customers can order from a wide selection of personal pies, too.

The restaurant also serves starters like chicken rolls, garlic knots, fried ravioli, wings, and more. Then there are heroes, focaccia sandwiches, wraps, pasta, entrees, and more.

Those dining in can order from The Pizzeria's cocktail menu, as well.

The restaurant offers a full waiter and waitress service in addition to its pizza counter.

"We view ourselves as a hospitality company," Weinstein said. "We happen to serve some really good pizza. It’s really about our people and our staff. It’s getting to know our customers welcoming, over-the-top hospitality, and everything seems to taste better, including the drinks and the pizza, when you’re greeted with a smile. That’s really what we focus on."

The trickle-down approach begins with treating staff well, Weinstein said.

"What makes us different and unique is our focus on — we have about 200 employees these days," he said. "As founders, we spend the overwhelming majority of our time thinking about them and trying to make them happy, fulfilled and with a sense of purpose. We look at this company as a platform for growth, for all the employees — the ones who will be here for the entirety or the transient ones who are in nursing school, or wherever their career is going take them.”

Weinstein urged people in the area to "come check us out."

"Come swing by and say hello. The town has been wonderful so far."