Neapolitan Pizzeria Pupatella Sets Opening Date For Alexandria Location

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Pupatella, the popular local spot for Neapolitan pizza, is ready to open its doors in Alexandria.

The pizzeria announced Monday, Sept. 15 will be the opening date for its location at 700 Slaters Lane in Alexandria. The location comes with outdoor seating. Dine-in, pickup and delivery services will be offered.

Naples, Italy native Enzo Algarme started Pupatella in 2007, seeking to bring authentic Neapolitan pizza to the DC area. The pizzeria is certified by the Assozione Verace Pizza Napoletana, as it follows strict guidelines to make an authentic Neapolitan pizza in a 900-plus degree wood-fire oven. The certified pizza features dough made of Italian flour, sea salt, fresh yeast and water, sauce made from San Marzano tomatoes from Italy, fresh cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, sea salt, fresh basil and olive oil.

The original Pupatella location opened on Wilson Boulevard in North Arlington after operating out of a food cart in the Ballston neighborhood in 2007. The Alexandria location will mark the ninth in Northern Virginia. There are also two in D.C. and one in Maryland. The pizzeria's menu varies by location but includes a variety of Neapolitan red and white pizzas, small plates and street snacks, panini and pasta. Some locations serve alcoholic drinks.

The Slaters Lane location in Alexandria was formerly home to Sam's Custom Cleaners, a dry cleaning business that closed after owner Tony Tran died. Tran was well known in the Alexandria community as a naturalized Vietnamese-American citizen and small business owner for decades.