On Valentine’s Day 1965, a plane from Italy, holding four-year-old Vincenzo Sidari, his father, and his sister, landed in the promised land—America. In 1943, Vincenzo’s father, Salvatore, had been a small boy in Italy among excited adults joyfully shouting, “The Americans are coming!” American soldiers meant freedom. Ever since that day, Salvatore Sidari knew that he would one day live in the United States.

Sal (as he was called) was a trained tailor and quickly found work in America altering “off the rack” men’s clothing at Mr. Panosian’s. He added an after-hours shop in his home where he created tailor-made suits for local businessmen. He was old-school, always wearing a suit to work and, like in the old country, never cooking. Vincenzo says, “Mama taught us all—me, Dom, our sister, Carmela—how to cook Italian food.”

His brother Dom adds, “If you’ve helped with the typical Italian Sunday dinner with five or six entrees, you can do pizza.”

Turns out that’s exactly what the brothers did.

When Vincenzo first went to work, he found employment as the manager of Picnic Pizza in the Arnot Mall. Once a space opened near Mr. Panosian’s Famous Shoes on Langdon Plaza, he grabbed the chance and opened Vincenzo’s Pizza in 1999. Dominic, seven years his junior and the only “born in the USA” child, co-manages Vincenzo’s Pizza.

Vincenzo’s Pizza specializes in Neapolitan pizza also known as New York-style pizza. The pies are thin crust placed in the oven just long enough to crisp the bottom while leaving the top soft and inviting. The dough is sauced with a recipe of homemade Calabrian marinara. Name your toppings. Pepperoni and cheese are standard, but specialties could include meatballs, or Italian sausage, or peppers, or onions, or…you name it. Add-ons include ham, chicken, anchovies, olives, mushrooms, eggplant, and more.

Their Specialty Pizzas have catchy names like Caesar’s, Capone’s, the Godfather, Soprano, and the Sinatra, just begging you to taste. The brothers keep slices available for light eaters, which can be served after a quick warm-up in the oven. Whole pizzas take just a few minutes allowing customers to sit and chat with fellow pizza gourmands.

Start with garlic knots, French fries, or wings. If not in the mood for pizza (gasp) there are lots of calzones to choose from, including a spinach and broccoli one. Ziti, rigatoni, and spaghetti are offered, along with cold and hot hoagies.

Just want to hit and run? Orders are always possible by phone (607) 732-3647 or order online at vincenzospizzaelmira.com. Then stop by 303 W. Main (Langdon Plaza) and pick up pizza delight.