New York Pizzeria was one Greek's American Dream!

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This is not only my review of a small restaurant near Hudson Yards and Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan, but also a story of the American Dream, the resiliency of the owners and the care that they give to not only their customers but to their community.

My daughters and I were researching New York City July of 2021 and their different neighborhoods, buildings, and eateries in preparation for them attending grad and/or trade schools in the Fall of 2022. When visiting one of the newer buildings in Midtown West/Hell’s Kitchen area, just north of Hudson Yards, we grew thirsty and stopped into this little shop amongst the skyrises. We were just planning on getting sodas or water and continuing to explore Hudson Yards. When we entered the restaurant, the waitress/hostesses face lit up at the idea of having customers. Even though we said that we were not hungry and just wanted some refreshments, she still was happy to accommodate us.

So, we decided to ask for some refreshments after speaking with the waitress/hostess, which we later found out was the owner’s wife, Raquel, and finding out they had fruit smoothies, shakes and more. We thought what better way to refresh in the summer heat than a fruit smoothie which is healthier than a soda!

What we didn’t expect was how good they were, how nice and humble Raquel was nor the pictures and articles hung up within the entrance that I started reading while we waited for the smoothies. Due to the hospitality and the great tasting smoothies, we decided that we would return before leaving New York for dinner. But before I get to the review of the food or the restaurant, let me give you a little background on it.

Louis Gristsipis was born in Greece, yet he remembers the times after the second World War where the American troops handed out pants to wear and flour to cook with. This led him to leave Greece to visit New York at the ripe old age of 18. He was so in love with America and the kindness by those soldiers that upon his return to Greece he joined the NATO Navy as a cook with hopes to later return to New York. Years later, he returned to New York to rent the building and set up shop.

Mr. Gritsipis first rented this building in 1965. He has pictures on the wall with him in front of the restaurant with the Empire State Building in the background and few other buildings or high rises to block the view. Back then, the neighborhood was rough. He has been held up, been through the crime, the violence and the prostitution that plagued this area for a long time. He has seen the community grow and had the chance to buy the building in 1965. He then bought the building and even though luxury type apartment high rises have been constructed in recent years, some even damaging his property, he has stayed resilient. In more recent times, the drugs and crime levels have dropped quite a bit with the area being built up. In fact, he has been approached many times to sell. Sometimes being offered on the upwards of $15 million dollars for his place. Mr. Gritsipis, his wife Raquel and family has made this their home. They even still live above the restaurant now. No amount of money could remove them from this place.

Small businesses are often not thought of and not sought out. Many go unnoticed by their neighbors. They tend to work the hardest for little pay, little glory, little recognition. They do it because they enjoy the freedoms of being their own boss, being part of a community and treating them like family, being able to make something of themselves by being better business owners, knowing that their actions are what make their business grow and strive. We were there for such a short time, but we spoke with Raquel and some of the others since we were almost the only ones there eating inside. They helped show and explain some of the pictures to us, the pride in their eyes and on their face was priceless.

This small little restaurant close to the water you would think just sells pizza from its name. But it is so much more than that. It is more than just a pizza shop. It is a diner that helped realize the American Dream! These days they are supported mostly by take out and delivery orders or by tourists happening by (much list us!). No matter where the girls end up in NYC for school, they have now found a favorite restaurant that they know not only has good food but that has even better and more caring owners/workers. Individuals that take pride in their work and in their community.

Ok, now to the review of the food. Their menu consists of authentic Greek food, I mean who better to make Greek food than a Greek native, right?! They have Souvlaki, Gyros, Greek Salads, Baklava and so much more. They also have more Americanized foods like Burgers, Pasta and Pizza along with some vegetarian options such as eggplant parmesan heroes and grilled cheese sandwiches.  They have omelets in the morning for breakfast and so much more. They truly have something for everyone.

For an appetizer, we ordered Pita Bread with Tzatziki sauce and oil. The girls had more “Americanized” foods with Tori trying the Pizza and Taylor having a Burger and fries. We had been to several true “pizza only” shops such as Joe’s and Little Italy and Tori says that it was one of the best pizzas. Taylor’s burger was cooked to her desired “Well-done” status and yet was still juicy and not dry. I on the other hand figured that I must try some of the Greek food after having read about their back story and knowing that they are true Grecians. I had the Chicken Souvlaki Platter which consist of Pita Bread, a tossed Greek Salad, the Chicken Souvlaki covered in Tzatziki and French fries. I wanted to lick the plate clean but I restrained myself and left some of the food behind as it was a rather large helping!

Between the food and the staff/owners of this restaurant, I, hands down, would recommend frequenting this establishment as much as possible! Should you want to read more about their story, you may do so here on the New York Times in an article that was published in 2013 (there have been other articles too but this I think outlines it best). In 2018, they even were added to the Pizza TV’s Pizza Hall of fame, which has been shared on YouTube which can be viewed here.

If you ever want or need to travel to New York, I hope that you will entertain the idea of going to this restaurant located at 647 W. 42^nd St, New York, New York 10036. The Atelier is on one side and the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China is on the other. They are located on 42^nd street between 11^th and 12^th Avenues. I would love for them to be in business for years to come, supported by the community, by other small business owners, by tourists and more.

If you have been there, please leave a comment, review or kind words to the owners below.