Pizza Bites: How One Pizza Oven Changed New York Forever

Eating History

Welcome to episode five of Pizza Bites! This week, Adrienne and Stephen explore how a single coal-fired oven in early 20th-century New York City sparked an entire culinary dynasty. Tune in to discover the intricate family tree of New York pizza and how master pizzaiolos passed down the unwritten secrets of the craft from one generation to the next.

In this episode:

  • Why serious pizza fans debate whether America's first licensed pizzeria was actually the first
  • The legendary branches of the Lombardi's family tree: Totonno's, John's of Bleecker Street, and Patsy's
  • How Adrienne and Stephen's personal Harlem favorite, Patsy's, helped carry them through the pandemic
  • The dramatic story of Patsy Grimaldi and his enduring legacy
  • Why the true secret to New York pizza isn't the water or the dough, it's mentor


More description

Welcome to episode five of Pizza Bites! This week, Adrienne and Stephen explore how a single coal-fired oven in early 20th-century New York City sparked an entire culinary dynasty. Tune in to discover the intricate family tree of New York pizza and how master pizzaiolos passed down the unwritten secrets of the craft from one generation to the next.

In this episode:

  • Why serious pizza fans debate whether America's first licensed pizzeria was actually the first
  • The legendary branches of the Lombardi's family tree: Totonno's, John's of Bleecker Street, and Patsy's
  • How Adrienne and Stephen's personal Harlem favorite, Patsy's, helped carry them through the pandemic
  • The dramatic story of Patsy Grimaldi and his enduring legacy
  • Why the true secret to New York pizza isn't the water or the dough, it's mentor


2026-08-04 6 min
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