Notable NYC Pizzeria Closing After More Than 20 Years

New York City is known for many things, but few cuisines united the city that never sleeps quite like the quintessential pizza pie.

Pizza - usually thin crust, by the massive slice - has become a New York City staple. Customers often enjoy the greasy, cheesy treat with a soda for lunch, or while relaxing after a long day of work with a fresh pie.

One pizzeria in the city has been a favorite for over 20 years, and new challenges associated with operations have forced the business to adopt a new strategy.

Mama's Pizza on New York City's Upper West Side in Manhattan is set to close after more than 20 years. The restaurant's founder's grandson Frank Tuttolomondo says that the shop plans to suspend operations while looking for another location nearby. Tuttolomondo revealed the news to ILoveTheUpperWestSide.com.

Tuttolomondo's grandmother Marianinna founded and operated the pizzeria before her death four years ago at the age of 101. Marianinna, the "Mama" in the store's name, ran the pizzeria with Frank's uncles, Joe and Alfonso.

“The space needs a lot of work,” Frank said about the original location. He runs his own pizza shop nearby called "Mama's Too," but cited several issues with the original site of the shop.

“We wouldn’t be able to do business and make the best pizza," he added, specifically pointing out utility issues as well as problems in the ceiling and basement of the restaurant.

“We love the neighborhood, we love that corner, but there are other opportunities out there, and things didn’t work out with management at this address.”

Tuttolomondo says that Mama's Pizza is in the process of finding a new location, one he says will be "down the block" from the current address at 941 Amsterdam Avenue on West 106th St.

“I can’t tell you how many relationships started at Mama’s Pizza on that corner. Mama’s Too wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for Mama’s Pizza, of course,” Tuttolomondo said.

The restaurateur also noted that Mama's Pizza was named one of “The 22 Best Pizza Places in New York Right Now" by the New York Times last year.

We'll see what the future holds for Mama's Pizza as it searches for a new permanent home in the big city.