Denino's Pizzeria Tavern
524 Port Richmond Ave
Staten Island, NY 10302 (718) 442-9401
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
20 Reviews for Denino's Pizzeria Tavern
Definitely the best pizza on the island, at least in my experience.
Their crust is the perfect texture and flavor and cooked just right. They don't do a lot of different toppings, but you don't really need them. If you go to eat there you might wait a while during peak hours, and it's definitely a bit of a dive with a really old-school bar and plain dining area. However, the pizza is worth it. Or you could just order out which is what I usually do. The price is good, the pizzas are consistently awesome, and the appetizers like mozzarella sticks are also tasty.
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I love Denino's pizza! When I worked in Jersey City we'd round up a group and head over here after work for a great pie. The crust is so good here. It's a really chill, low-key place with friendly service. Very pizza parlor-ish, the meatballs are damn good too make sure not to miss out on those!
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There are plenty of close runner-ups around, but Denino's serves up the best pizza in the city. I've tried plenty of places around NYC, in all 5 boroughs, as opposed to many people who probably have never even stepped foot on Staten Island.
The pizza at Denino's is american style. This isn't Lombardi's(also really good pizza if you want italian style pizza) or Grimaldi's(overhyped and inconsistent). There's no margarita pie here. If thats the only kind of pizza you consider real pizza, then I can see why you wouldn't like Denino's. Italian style and american style pies are really two different animals and I can respect that difference. However, most of america does eat american style pizza and Denino's is the place for that.
There's really nothing about Denino's pizza that I think they could do to improve it. They are very consistent and every pizza is cooked fresh on order. No slices here people and the truth is if your favorite pizza place is serving you up cold slices from the night before, there's something wrong there. I've eaten several hundred pies from Denino's and never have been disappointed. Their dough is crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside. Their ingredients are great and come together perfectly on the pizza. I've tried all their pies and now always order the MOR (meatballs, onion, ricotta). Its just the right amount of toppings and such a good combination.
The other food here is pretty good too but it's nothing you're going to write home about. This place is about the pizza and everything else is there to complement the pizza.
If you're looking for the best american style pizza, come out to Staten Island. Come and take a stroll through and eat a casual dinner on a lazy sunday summer afternoon. A great pizza and a pitcher of beer will cost you about $20. Right after, cross the street to Ralph's and spend $1.50 for some of the best italian ices in what must be like 50+ flavors (wouldn't be surprised if its almost 100, I've never counted). A perfect way to spend a summer afternoon.
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"Cash only" she said in a flat, gruff voice.
Not, "sorry, we don't take credit cards" or "we're cash only but there's an ATM out in the lobby". So naturally since they don't mention having an ATM, I go out walking the neighborhood in search of one. And I found one - 3 blocks away!
I get back 20 minutes later and see the ATM tucked away unobtrusively in a corner of the lobby (behind some people waiting for a table).
Oh, the pizza? It's good but I don't think it lives up to the reputation.
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We got here @ 5 for an early dinner and the place was buzzing, and remained so...on a Tuesday night.
We ordered half plain and half broccoli rabe (no sauce). Both very very good, extremely well done thin crust pie.
Everyone happy...until....time to pay. Whip out the CC...alas, they "only take cash" the fast and abrupt waitress tells us. So poor Steven goes out in the 30 degree coldness, for three blocks, searching for cash machine.
HELLO. We see upon leaving...the cash machine IN THE BUILDING on our way out the side door.
UM, you think primo miss hasty coulda informed us of that when she said cash only?
Crap. what crappy service :(
fast, but crappy.
But, damn the pizza is good. Not the best ever, but certainly worth trying.
BRING CASH.
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I like the pizza (when there aren't loads of toppings.) And today, its 'ALLLL about toppings.
But this place you cannot order single slices, and they do not deliver. Also, they do not take credit cards- cash only. Pooh to that!
3 stars for nice friendly service and good pizza.
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Having never been to Staten Island, I decided to take a trip out to red-heading stepchild of New York burroughs.
I thought the pizza and wings were great here. The fact that it cost more in tolls to get to Staten Island than it did my meal made it even better.
The wings were nicely done - not overly crsipy or spicey, but flavorful nonetheless.
The pizza was fantantastic. Nicely cooked and piping hot with a good sauce and cheese.
The price can't be beat - you can easily have a meal for two including beer, wings and pizza (everything a growing boy needs) for $15/person.
Don't be intimidated by the wait, the place was packed when I got there and I waited for about 1/2 hour.
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Came here last night for dinner. Had the garlic bread parmigiana, which was a whole italian roll cut open and filled with garlic and melted mozzarella cheese--so delicious and incredibly filling! We also had the "special" pie--mushroom and sausage which was also delicious. The mushrooms were canned but the sausage was fresh and the crust was absolutely doughy and reliably crisp. My boyfriend has been here before and had ordered the garbage pie (a ton of toppings). That's a lot of food and you run the risk of a soggy slice with so much on top, but hey, when you're really hungry you don't really care.
Saturday nights seem to get busy real fast so come before 5:30pm.
Edit: Came here tonight at 5:00pm and there was already a long line. The wait wasn't too bad though--15 minutes. We had the fried calamari (fried deliciousness) and a sausage/broccoli pie. Both items were yummy.
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The greatest $25 date EVER:
* Take the Staten Island Ferry at dusk (free).
* Loosen up with some beer from the ferry snack bar ($3).
* Catch the 44 bus from the Ferry terminal to Denino's on Port Richard (free with your unlimited MetroCard)
* Enjoy the greatest pizza you've ever had (whole pies only, most around $12 for about 16-18 inches of thin crispy deliciousness), and a pitcher of beer ($7!!)
* If you're not stuffed then stop across the street at Ralph's Italian Ices (the 44 bus picks you up right in front!)
Seriously. Wow. This is my new favorite date.
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For me this is the best pizzeria in all of New York City.
It's a trek to get there, but it is well worth the trip. Once you get off of the ferry you will need to catch a bus.
If you think you are a NY pizza connoisseur because you tried John's and Grimaldi's and even Una Pizza Napoletana then you need to make the pilgrimage to Deninos at least once.
The garbage pie and the fried calamari are molto bene!
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Best pizza on Staten Island. No slices though. The garbage pie (with everything but the kitchen sink) is my favorite. Great fried calamari and scungilli too.
I went there on a late Saturday afternoon with 3 other people. We were seated immediately and ordered a cheese pie with half peppers, an order of fried calamari, a pitcher of soda, a glass of soda, and a San Pellegrino. The fried calamari was great, but I would've preferred regular marinara instead of the pizza sauce it was served with. The pizza was wonderful IF you like a thin, crispy crust (which I do.) The bill was less than $30, which was awesome.
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OH. My. God. I love this place. It is the benchmark for all pizza for me. I was born on SI, but moved away when I was a baby. I must make the pilgramige whenever I'm within 100 miles of the place. It's ridiculous really.
I prefer a plain pie. Nothing else. It's so hot that you'll burn the roof of your mouth. I know this and still do it every time. The second slice will be better because the cheese will set up a little and gets tastier. The sauce is simple and tasty. Not too much cheese and the crust. Oh, the crust. It makes the angles sing!
Go on, take the ferry, it's worth it!
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DeNino's is classic. The pizza is great! I've been going here since I was a little kid and I don't think their pizza has changed a bit because it's always been THAT good. The crust is my favorite part, it's thin and crispy. Hit up Ralph's right across street for some dessert. DeNino's + Ralph's = Shaolin Island holding it down PROPERLY!
I have seen this place on a lot of "Best Pizza in NY" lists so I had to try it. Not only is it not worth the trek to Staten Island, I don't even think I'd go there if it was in my neighborhood. It's not bad at all. It was fine, but not list worthy by any means. The waitress was terrible too.
this is the best pizzeria on staten island....
Your best bet is to do take out or go there early for lunch.
This is the only pizza that tastes so damn good cold...
ahah
Denino's has great pizza, but too many kids in the summer and on the weekends after sports games... If you want a great hero or meatballs go down the block to John's Famous Deli.
Go across the street for the best Italian Ices in the whole world!
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I've never understood the praise that this pizza gets. I've tried it three times and each time it was bland and a step above frozen pizza. Nucci's, Joe and Pat's and Nunzio's are better choices.
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the best pizza i've ever had in my life.
amazing wings- though you have to ask for extra blue cheese.
wait is long, but that's because the regulars always come back, including myself.
if you don't want to wait and you're with a party of 2, sit at the bar and eat
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The reviews on places like Chowhound are extraordinary, but this place fell short of expectations. It was far above average, but far short of a life changing pizza revelation.
It's whole pies only, and the two of us had the sausage and mushroom special and the scungilli appetizer served 'sweet'. The scungilli was tender and tasty, the red sauce it was served in was good but plain. Definitely better with some salt added, even better yet when scooped up with leftover crust.
The pizza came very quickly. The crust is slightly oiled, medium thin, and very crispy. I thought it was excellent, my dining partner thought it overcooked. The sausage is large, crumbled, looks homemade, and was delicious. The mushrooms were copious and good; not too flavorful, but a step above the standard sliced brown stuff. The cheese was not great, but got better as it cooled. The sauce was plain tomato, and like the scungilli sauce, just didn't do it for us.
In my mind, it would be a fabulous neighborhood pizzeria, but not really worth a trip to Staten Island. If you are a slice hound exploring New York pizza, you might have a more transcendent experience at Di Fara in Brooklyn.
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