Introduction to New York-Style Pizza in South Florida
Two New York pizzerias, both alike in dignity, prospered in the Big Apple as coal-fired descendants of the same famed Italian ancestor: Pasquale “Patsy” Lancieri, the inventor of by-the-slice pizza. And their legendary “pizza war” thrilled — and astonished — diners for decades.
Now, in an act of serendipity, the successors of both spots, Patsy’s Pizzeria in East Harlem and Juliana’s Pizza in Brooklyn, have delivered their first out-of-state restaurants to Palm Beach County to compete — like all New York-style pizzerias do — against each other.
The 92-year-old Patsy’s Pizzeria, founded by Patsy Lancieri, just fired up its first restaurant in early May in Boca Raton. The 4,300-square-foot sit-down boasts a menu of heroes, salads, pastas and casual Italian entrees along with its signature pies, fired in an 800-degree, gas-coal combo oven.
Owner Matthew Raja is shown in front of the custom-made pizza oven at the new Patsy’s Pizzeria in Boca Raton on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The Pizza War
Juliana’s Pizza, cofounded in Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood in 2012 by late pizza icon Patsy Grimaldi — yes, another Patsy — plans to open around Labor Day as one of the first tenants of West Palm Beach’s rising NORA District, in a 3,600-square-foot space. Once ranked No. 1 pizza in the country by TripAdvisor, its new outpost will fire pies in twin 800-degree coal ovens that are replicas of the original on Old Fulton Street.
Yet, despite landing in the same location at the same time, they say their longstanding pizza feud is officially … well-done.
“Nah, we’re not fighting anymore,” says Matt Grogan, a recent Palm Beacher and cofounder of Juliana’s Pizza. “Theirs is very good, but it’s a completely different animal from what we make.”
Patsy’s co-owner Matthew Raja is equally diplomatic: “No, I don’t think we’re in a pizza rivalry. It’s a good pizza they have. We’re very famous as well, so we don’t need to compete with anyone. Celebrities come to our locations.”
War of the Patsy’s
Patsy’s Pizzeria was founded by Patsy Lancieri in 1933, and later begat other New York icons like Grimaldi’s. (Fun fact: The Harlem original played a pivotal role in last summer’s horror prequel “A Quiet Place: Day One.”)
Lancieri’s nephew, Patsy Grimaldi, shoveled coal into ovens, bussed tables and managed his uncle’s shop from the 1950s until the 1970s before branching off to build a New York pizza renaissance that’s still very much alive.
After leaving Patsy’s in 1974 to work stints in other restaurants, Grimaldi in 1990 signed a lease for a 1,500-square-foot former hardware store in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge — and promptly ran into trouble for naming the restaurant after himself: Patsy’s.
The Rivalry
A legal skirmish ensued when Frank Brija, who bought the Harlem Patsy’s from Lancieri’s widow, Carmella, in the early ’90s, began applying for trademarks and threatening to sue anyone else using the name “Patsy’s.”
Cue the pizza war. Brija went on an expansion spree and opened more Patsy’s franchises around the city. Meanwhile, the Grimaldi family challenged the trademark case in court, with legal expenses topping $150,000, Carol Grimaldi, Patsy’s wife, told New York Magazine in 2012.
Eventually the fees grew too burdensome, recalls Juliana’s cofounder Grogan, a former Wall Street investment banker and self-described “pizza nerd” who’s been close friends with the Grimaldis since 1990.
“The Grimaldis decided to change the Brooklyn Patsy’s to Grimaldi’s to avoid fighting the trademark,” Grogan says.
‘The water thing is a myth’
Raja, a cousin of Brija who’s opened new Patsy’s locations across New York for two decades, says no trace of the family’s former rivalry with Patsy Grimaldi’s brand survives 30 years later, even on South Florida turf.
“I definitely want to try Juliana’s when it opens in West Palm,” Raja says.
In Boca Raton, Raja says he did his best to recreate the 16 other N.Y. locations of Patsy’s, installing terrazzo floors, green granite countertops, custom European chairs and tables — even a photo of founder Patsy Lancieri.
“I respect the original family,” he says. “They were part of the transition.”
Loyal New York transplants, retirees and snowbirds are everywhere in Boca, a built-in audience familiar with the Patsy’s brand, he adds.
Juliana’s Pizza
For his part, Grogan, cofounder of Juliana’s, is keen to try Patsy’s in Boca Raton.
“Honestly, the fact that we’re both here is just an indication of the allure of Florida,” he says. “People are looking for a change, but there’s probably an expectation that the pizza will be as good as it is in New York. We’re doing all we can to replicate the look, feel and taste.”
Grogan picked West Palm Beach for its “Wall Street South” reputation and because NORA District, sprouting up in a rougher section of the city, reminds him of Brooklyn’s “sketchy” Dumbo neighborhood in 1990, when he visited for the first time.
In this file image, cofounder Matt Grogan, left, shares a pie with friend and pizza icon, the late Patsy Grimaldi, at Juliana’s Pizza in Brooklyn. The restaurant will open its second location in West Palm Beach sometime around Labor Day, Grogan says.
Grogan fell in love with Patsy Grimaldi’s pies at first sight: “You have to understand that there were dollar slice shops everywhere that used grated, processed mozzarella and cooked in gas ovens. And here came Patsy, who put bright white circles of fresh mozz, fresh tomato, and it was splashed around the pie, not ladled. The bottom of the crust was mottled like a leopard because they used coal. I’ll never forget the seasoned char.
“Patsy had a vision of a busy neighborhood and took a chance on a broken-down hardware store that sat empty for years,” he says. “He changed it for the better. NORA can do the same thing by revitalizing the area for good.”
Conclusion
The arrival of Patsy’s Pizzeria and Juliana’s Pizza in South Florida marks a new era for pizza lovers in the region. With their rich history and commitment to quality, these two New York institutions are sure to bring a taste of the Big Apple to the Sunshine State. Whether you’re a fan of Patsy’s classic coal-fired pies or Juliana’s smoky, thin-crust masterpieces, there’s never been a better time to experience the best of New York-style pizza in South Florida.
FAQs
Q: What are the addresses of Patsy’s Pizzeria and Juliana’s Pizza in South Florida?
A: Patsy’s Pizzeria is located at 114 Plaza Real S., Boca Raton, and Juliana’s Pizza is expected to debut around Labor Day at 895 N. Railroad Ave., West Palm Beach.
Q: What types of pizza can I expect to find at Patsy’s Pizzeria and Juliana’s Pizza?
A: Patsy’s Pizzeria offers 11 pizza styles, including classic thin-crust and specialty pies like the Benny Blanco. Juliana’s Pizza specializes in smoky, thin-crust pies with options like the White, Marinara, and No. 1.
Q: Are Patsy’s Pizzeria and Juliana’s Pizza related?
A: While both pizzerias have a shared history and ancestry, they are distinct entities with their own unique styles and menus.
