Pizza enthusiasts from around New York made the pilgrimage to Bensonhurst-Brooklyn and bid farewell to Lenny’s Pizzeria, which served its last pies on Sunday, Feb. 19, after 70 years in business.
The Bensonhurst institution, located at 1969 86th St., rose to fame when it was featured in the iconic opening scene of the 1977 hit film “Saturday Night Fever.”
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Tony Manero, played by John Travolta, orders a “double-decker” — two slices stacked on top of each other — and chomps down while strutting along 86th.
The closure is bittersweet for the father-daughter duo behind Lenny’s, Frank and Josephine Giordano. Giordano, 77, bought the pizza joint in 1988 and recently decided it was finally time to hang up the aprons.
“It’s been a great run,” Josephine told amNY. “It’s the ending of an era, but most importantly, I can take this opportunity to thank all my customers, and it’s definitely been a fantastic time. I’ve gotten to meet so many people on a friendly level which is great.”
Josephine shared that her family sold the building, and their next big plan is to relocate and spend time traveling.
“Unfortunately, New York City is not exactly what it used to be,” she said.
Sal’s Pizzeria Says Goodbye
Meanwhile, Sal’s Pizzeria — located in Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens enclave — will close today after more than 50 years in business.
According to a note on the restaurant’s door, the owners say they are “deeply saddened to inform all our loyal customers” that it was closing and thanked the neighborhood for its support after all of these years.
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