Some of the best meals hide behind plain doors and paper plates. You walk in expecting an ordinary dinner, and you leave already planning your next visit.
In New York, there is a family-owned spot like that, where thin pies come out bubbly, crisp, and kissed with char. If you love pizza that tastes like it has a story, keep reading, because this one is worth the drive.
A Port Richmond Landmark for Thin-Crust Pies
Tucked along Port Richmond Avenue on the north shore of Staten Island, Denino’s Pizzeria & Tavern has earned a reputation as a landmark parlor for thin-crust pizza. You will find it at 524 Port Richmond Ave, in a neighborhood setting that feels lived-in and real rather than polished for tourists.
Family-owned and proudly unfussy, the place has been a mainstay for many years. It turns out charred thin pies, fried calamari, subs, and plenty more from a kitchen that clearly knows its rhythm.
Why travel for it? Visitors keep saying the trip to Staten Island is worth it for the pizza alone.
Some drive across bridges and pay tolls, others fly home and make it their first stop. When people rearrange travel plans around one pizzeria, you know something special is happening inside those simple walls, and that is exactly the sort of place worth getting to know better.
Generations of Loyal Regulars
Ask around and you will hear stories that stretch back decades. One longtime fan grew up on the island, moved to New Jersey twenty years ago, and still pays the toll to come back regularly.
Another relocated to Virginia thirty-five years ago yet makes the trip home every few months, and a visit here is always on the list.
Families describe going for generations. Some regulars joke that they dream about the food, and they sound only half kidding.
Others say they have never had a bad meal here.
Part of that loyalty comes from familiar faces. Guests point out that many of the servers have worked here for ages, which adds a sense of continuity you rarely find anymore.
It is the kind of spot where grandparents, parents, and kids all share the same favorite order, and that shared memory keeps the tables full year after year.
Bar Up Front, Dining Room in Back
Walk through the door and the first thing you notice is the bar area, often buzzing with a friendly crowd. Keep going and the restaurant opens up in the back, where the real pizza action happens.
Nobody comes here for fancy decor. Meals are served on paper plates, and a few guests mention tables can feel a little tight, with your back close to the diner behind you.
Still, that snug setup adds to the lively, neighborhood energy.
Visitors describe the vibe as old school in the best way. There is nothing trendy going on, and that seems to be the point.
Clean bathrooms get a nod, too, which is always nice to hear. Think of the setting as the plain box that holds the gift.
Once the pies land on the table, the no-frills surroundings fade into the background, and your attention goes exactly where it should.
The Charred, Crispy Cheese Pie
Start simple. Regulars insist the regular cheese pie is the real test, and it passes with flying colors.
Picture a thin crust with a slight crisp underneath and deep char on the bubbles. Fresh mozzarella melts into a balanced sauce, finished with just the right amount of basil.
Guests describe it as crispy, crunchy, and consistent, the same great bite visit after visit. One lifelong fan even says it beats other famous island pizzerias.
Thin crust pizza comes up again and again in conversations about this place, and for good reason. The crust holds up slice after slice without flopping, so you can fold it New York style or eat it flat.
A Margherita pie also earns praise for anyone who wants a slightly fresher, lighter take. If you only order one thing on a first visit, make it the plain cheese pie, then build from there next time.
Garbage, Clam, and Other Signature Pies
Feeling bold? The famous garbage pie is where the menu gets playful.
Despite the funny name, it is loaded with meat and toppings, and fans say it comes out hot, crispy, and cooked to perfection.
Clam pie is another crowd favorite that pops up often in local chatter. A white pie with prosciutto wins fans for its savory flavor, and the salute pie gets praise for prosciutto that tastes rich without being too salty.
First-timers have also enjoyed the MOR pie, and a creamy pink-sauce pie earns raves for coating the mozzarella while the crust stays sturdy. That variety makes group orders fun.
Grab a classic cheese pie, add one specialty, and let everyone trade slices. Here is a fun tip: the char from the oven ties all of these toppings together, so even the most loaded pie keeps that signature crackle you came looking for.
Calamari Fame and Plenty of Starters
Here is a surprising fact. At a pizza landmark, the most talked-about dish might actually be the fried calamari.
It is mentioned more than anything else on the menu, and some guests call it the best on Staten Island.
Fans describe light breading, tender squid that is perfectly cooked, and a delicious sauce. One guest simply wished for a little extra marinara on the side, which says a lot about how good it is.
Beyond calamari, the starter list runs deep. Buffalo wings arrive crispy outside and juicy inside, with sauce that has flavor, not just heat.
Mozzarella sticks, baked clams, fried shrimp, and red mussels all have loyal followers. Fried zucchini gets called a sleeper hit, though opinions vary.
Portions are generous, so a couple of appetizers can easily feed a table while you wait for the main event to come out of the oven.
Beyond Pizza on a Big Menu
Not everyone at the table wants pizza, and that is perfectly fine here. The menu is big, stretching into subs, pastas, soups, and classic Italian comfort dishes.
The eggplant tower, stacked with tomato, mozzarella, and balsamic, earns warm praise. Sauteed spinach with garlic tastes fresh and well done.
Meatballs and chicken francese have shown up at big family gatherings, and one devoted fan wants everyone to know the soups are supreme.
Then there are the French fries. One guest called them maybe the best fries they have ever had, with the perfect thickness and real potato flavor.
That is high praise for a side dish! Not every item is a home run, though.
A lifelong customer found the penne a bit underwhelming at times. Still, most folks agree the kitchen feels consistent and confident, so wandering off the pizza path is usually a tasty adventure rather than a gamble.
Fast Service, Arcade Games, and Party Space
Speed is a big part of the story. Guests rave that wings arrive hot and ready, and the pizza hits the table while they are still eating them.
Staff clear plates so smoothly you barely notice.
Servers are described as cheerful, professional, and kind. One group was even thanked with handshakes at the end of the meal.
Service can feel so-so on an occasional busy day, but regulars say it never stops them from returning.
Families will appreciate the Pac-Man and driving arcade games that keep kids happy. There is also some outdoor dining.
Planning a celebration? One family hosted an engagement party in the spacious party room, enjoying appetizers, pizzas, pasta, and more.
They played music, ran a slideshow on the TV, and the team handled cleanup afterward. That makes this spot a smart pick for birthdays, reunions, and any gathering that deserves great food without a fuss.
Planning Your Visit and a Final Word
Good news for flexible schedules: the doors open at 11 am and stay open until 11 pm every single day of the week. That makes late dinners easy, and families often mention it is a great spot for an evening meal.
Prices are friendly, usually around 10 to 30 dollars per person. Street parking is available around the block, so plan a few extra minutes to circle.
Friday evenings can bring long waits, while some Saturday night visitors got seated in about five minutes, so timing matters.
Want to call ahead? Dial 718-442-9401 or check deninossi.com for details.
So, is it worth the trip? If you love thin, charred pizza served without pretense, the answer leans strongly toward yes.
Come hungry, order the cheese pie and calamari, and see why so many people keep finding their way back to this beloved corner of Staten Island.
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