Have you ever found a fantastic restaurant right in the middle of a small town? Central New York has its share of tiny towns and villages, and hidden within them is some darn good food.

Small Town Eats searches Central New York for the hidden gems of the restaurant scene. Whether it's a top-notch omelet or a farm-to-table feast, Small Town Eats wants to spread the word about the best foods CNY small towns can offer.

This week, we visited New York Pizzeria in Waterville, NY. Few foods inspire a passionate following like pizza, and few pizzerias can claim customers that have been coming back again and again...for over 30 years. Frank, Rosa, and their son, Lorenzo can. Once you taste a bite or a slice, you'll understand why.

New York Pizzeria in Waterville serves what is arguably the best pizza in Central New York. Don't believe it? You'll have to try it to find out.

Frank and Rosa Pumilia came to the United States from Sicily. According to their son, Lorenzo, Frank worked part-time at the pizzeria - which was owned by Frank's cousin - and eventually decided to buy it. That was more than 30 years ago.

Credit: Phil Creighton/TSM
Credit: Phil Creighton/TSM
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Lorenzo says the thing that makes the pizza at their restaurant so special is that fact that they don't skimp on anything: the dough is made from scratch daily, the sauce is all homemade, and the cheese is always fresh.

We don't know if those are all their secrets, but we do know that New York Pizzeria serves some of the best pizza outside of Brooklyn. We tasted the chicken, tomato, and basil white pizza, the plain pizza, and their chicken riggies. All three were delicious. Their pizza sauce has just the right amount of sweetness and the crust is crispy, without being dry. The chicken riggies are creamy with enough heat to let you know it's there, but not enough to make it inedible to folks who don't like spice (aka DAVE!)

Take the trip to Waterville and say hello to Frank, Rosa, and Lorenzo. You'll leave with a full belly and a smile on your face.

New York Pizzeria is located at 110 W Main St, in Waterville, New York. You can order ahead by calling (315) 841-8898.

Do you know a small town restaurant that should be featured on Small Town Eats? Let us know by emailing beth@lite987.com.


 

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