Denino's Pizzeria Tavern
Staten Island, NY 10302-1721
Phone: (718) 442-9401
- Price:
- $
- Cross Street:
- Hooker Place
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 11:30am-11pm , Fri-Sat 11:30am-12am , Sun 12pm-11pm
Editorial Review for Denino's Pizzeria Tavern – by Jean Tang
The Scene
Run by the original founders and their descendants since 1937, this working-class tavern caters to people on and off Staten Island, including Brooklynites and folks from Bayonne, a short bridge ride away. Families abound, often with small children in tow. Decor is strictly utilitarian, and service--most likely by a member of the extended family--is friendly, brisk but unhurried.
The Food
Oh, what a pie! Dissect the 16-inch plain rounds, and every component measures up: the thin yet supportive bread-dough crusts, tangy rich red sauce and cheese so gooey it oozes right off the edges of the pan. If you go for toppings, sausage is a good choice, as are a springtime bounty of fresh, crisp vegetables. Or opt for a white pie: sauceless cheese over a layer of sweet onions, sprinkled with olive oil. The restaurant serves heros and platters as well, but face it: You're here for the pizza.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Bar SnacksYou could be in for a wait of up to 1 1/2 hours for a table on Friday nights. Luckily, the bar's stocked with everything you need to chill out: a TV, a cold pitcher (or cocktails, if you so desire), and a full menu.
Party CentralAlthough none of the 150-seat restaurant and bar space is available for rental, the owners will open a private space next door as early as the summer of 2003.
User Reviews for Denino's Pizzeria Tavern
10/29/2007 Posted by john12370
Pizza is excellent, services is great along with the prices. The little old lady Rose is the sweetest thing ever and has been there for 80 something years, but watch out for the owners wife. She has a really bad attitude. The owner should really tell his wife to stay home. Overall the place is outstanding!
Pros: Great Food Great Services Great Prices
Cons: Parking, owners wife is a real B*tch
06/13/2007 Posted by si_cruller
I'm a lifelong Staten Islander, and I love food second only to my girlfrind and my parents - LOL! I developed a taste for such critters as crabs, squid and even escargot (SNAILS!) and when I was only about 7! But I never got to Denino's until recently and wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Both my lady (who's from Brooklyn and also knows more than a thing or two about quality pizza and Italian food) went recently and came away with the same impression - at least this particlur visit, anyway: certainly better than many pizzas on the Island, but also very overhyped. The crust was crispy and great, but the toppings were kind of average to us. Very good sauce - but just not enough of it, and the same overly salty-tasting processed cheese typically used everywhere else unless you request a fresh mozzarella or margarita pie (Like Valducci's on AMboy Road). I'm not saying we didn't like it - it was very tasty. But, pizza this heavily-hyped should feature chunks of fresh san marzano tomatoes (like Naples 45 in the city), fresh basil and homemade mozzarella akin to what a fine restuarant would produce versus a run-of-the-mill pizza joint #1000 would make. If you want truly great and unique pizza, Joe & Pats on Vicory Blvd near Manor Road is worlds better in this regard. Joe & Pats' crust is much thinner and crispier, yet neither flops over nor is too brittle, and is smothered in truly frsh, homemade-tasting tomato sauce (sweet, chunky and rich with a palpable extra virgin oil taste) and generous but not overdone splotches of fresh mozzarella. Bottom line: Quite good, but just not the 'greatest=on-the-planet' standout everyone makes it out to be...
Pros: Good crust, tasty sauce - excellent mozzarella sticks! - very inexpensive
Cons: Not enough sauce, Salty processed cheese you get anyewhere else, bad parking
Users Like You Also Viewed
Zenith Vegetarian Cuisine
311 W 48th St
New York, NY 10036
Pappardella
316 Columbus Ave
New York, NY 10023-1902
