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Lenny's Pizza

Coordinates: 40°36′18.2″N 73°59′55″W / 40.605056°N 73.99861°W / 40.605056; -73.99861
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Lenny’s Pizza
Map
Restaurant information
Established1953
Closed2023
Owner(s)Frank Giordano
Head chefFrank Giordano
Street address1969 86th Street, Brooklyn, New York
CityNew York City
CountyKings County, New York
StateNew York
CountryUnited States

Lenny's Pizza was a New York City pizzeria in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, established in 1953.[1][2][3]

History

[edit]

Lenny's Pizza was founded in 1953, one of the first pizzerias in the neighborhood. Its namesake, "Lenny," owned the pizzeria for a couple years, then sold it. Sicilian native Frank Giordano, who owned part of Nino's Pizzeria in Bay Ridge,[4] purchased the pizzeria in 1988. He ran it with his daughter Josephine until he announced his retirement in 2023.[3]

The pizzeria is notable for being the location where John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever orders two slices.[5][6] In the movie, Travolta's character eats the slices with one stacked on top of the other, leading the restaurant to offer a "double-decker" style pizza named after the actor.[7][8] On February 18, 2023, it was announced on Twitter by the owner's daughter that Lenny's Pizza will be closing and serving its last slice the next day on February 19, 2023, at 10 pm.[9][10]

References

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  1. ^ "Lenny's Pizza– Legendary Joint Still Stands in Brooklyn". The Pizza Snob. 2014-04-14. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
  2. ^ WABC-TV (2018-06-12). "John Travolta celebrated in Brooklyn". WABC-TV. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
  3. ^ a b Aneiro, Julia; Belfer, Briana. "Lenny's Pizza: A Brooklyn Spot For the Ages". Storefront Survivors. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
  4. ^ Dolinsky, Steve. "Great Pizza Outside Chicago". Pizza City USA. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  5. ^ Mays, Jeffery C. (2017-12-14). "Tony Manero Doesn't Live Here Anymore, but Disco Does, for One Night Only". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
  6. ^ Golenbock, Peter (6 October 2009). In the Country of Brooklyn Inspiration to the World. HarperCollins. p. 344. ISBN 9780061253812.
  7. ^ "John Travolta celebrated in Brooklyn". WABC-TV. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  8. ^ "John Travolta honored at Lenny's Pizza in Brooklyn". WPIX. 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  9. ^ "Lenny's Pizza, iconic Brooklyn pizzeria featured in 'Saturday Night Fever,' to close". WABC-TV. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
  10. ^ "Famous Pizza Restaurant From 'Saturday Night Fever' Is Closing After 70 Years". Food & Wine. Retrieved 2023-03-12.

40°36′18.2″N 73°59′55″W / 40.605056°N 73.99861°W / 40.605056; -73.99861