Goodfella's Brick Oven Pizza Celebrates 21 Years of Service

Co-founders Scot and Marc Cosentino in Front of the Original Goodfella's Brick Oven Pizza

Partners Andrew Scudera and Scot Cosentino pose with an award winning pizza

Who knew those crazy Cosentino boys would still be in the pizza game after all these years, especially after opening in the countries highest Italian American populated area of Staten Island New York. The only goal of the time was just making a good pizza. They started off with the first brick oven in the borough and a dream of working together as a family. Fresh hand made ingredients like oven roasted peppers and fresh mozzarella set them apart in what may have been the first Fast Casual Gourmet Pizza place, with lines out the door daily and people coming from all over the world to try their trend setting Vodka Pie creation which soon became a national fad and is now a staple on menus across the country. The secret was really caring about the customers and making sure each pizza was cooked to perfection even though the constant demand made it hard to be the fastest at times. "We are doing the best we can, this  isn't Mcdonalds" could be heard from the staff on a Friday night even with 2 brick ovens going full force. "The customers are the unsung heroes, they were always understanding and supportive and spread the word like wild fire knowing their recommendation would always be appreciated by friends and family trying the pizza for the first time. Many have become close friends over the years celebrating important events from engagements, weddings, births, baptisms, first days of school and then college to starting the whole cycle again with the new generation. It's been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life" said Marc Cosentino in reflection. "Then there is the hundreds of incredible employees over the years who have contributed tremendously to making Goodfella's the place it is" said Scot Cosentino. "We have had successful chefs, managers, artists, actors, doctors, police officers, soldiers, teachers, writers, firemen, reverends,  and all kinds of business owners work with us on the way up and contribute to our success" said Andrew Scudera, who went from Eagle Scout/bus boy to working every position in the restaurant and ultimately becoming a partner and the Lead Instructor of the Goodfella's Pizza School of New York , not to mention his winning the World's Best Pizza Title. "One of the best compliments I ever received was in the wake of 911 when a regular customer came over to me smiled and thanked me for being here and said ' I don't know why but I stop by here every night on my way home from Manhattan and it just makes me feel better' said Scot thinking about the past 21 years. The fellas are looking forward to the next 21 years and thank each of the people who supported them through thick and thin for making them a great American Success Story. Visit them at 1718 Hylan Blvd. Staten Island New York and share your story. Best wishes and Happy Pizza!