#InauguralReview #MezzaLunaPizza Since 1976 by #JoeLoPresti 600 East 187th Street at Arthur Avenue Bronx Little Italy
Whether you choose a straight cheese pizza, the piece de resistance here, or a pizza where you choose the toppings, you can see that Mezza Luna Pizza is in it to win it
It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and now we know Owner Joe Lo Presti of Mezza Luna Pizza in Bronx Little Italy! Pelham Park native Joe Lo Presti became the owner on January 4, 2024 and he tells us Mezza Luna Pizza is 100 percent Sicalian. Joe was born in New York, but his parents are from Sicily. You know it's got to be something special if Peachy Deegan is leaving Manhattan, and it impressed us on our first visit, outperforming some competition we have considered and never published on in outer boroughs and even some in Manhattan.
Zucchini, Eggplant and Carrots teamed up for a trifecta of grilled vegetable nutrition to start us off right! They also offer sauteed vegetables (not featured in this review.) This announces they are not just a neighborhood pizza place and we found their menu to have tremendous depth, which is one reason why we wanted to find out more. Also, they have endured for 50 years.
We count four salad choices which is a solid showing. We chose the Caesar, above and added grilled chicken, which was perfection. It was perfectly grilled and served just warm enough to welcome you properly. Some places are pushy about their salad dressing, especially with Caesar Salads, but Mezza Luna Pizza demonstrates hospitality by putting it on the side as we asked. AND PEACHY ACTUALLY LIKED IT! If you have read our 30,000 other or so posts you know it is a rarity to find dressing she likes. Cobb Salad arrived in style with hard-boiled eggs ideally quartered vertically which actually is how we like it (and also how we like fresh meyer lemons in water at all venues) and we didn't even ask for the eggs this way, lettuce, red onion, cheese, carrots, mushroom and bacon (obviously our favorite vegetable.) This arrived with house vinaigrette and balsamic on the side and all elements were fresh and fantastic.
We are huge fans of Fettuccine Alfredo, and the rendition at Mezza Luna Pizza hits the spot. They even have shrimp and it's excellent. You absolutely cannot say that for many pizza places. This dish was fragrant, rich and creamy with the ideal dusting of parsley and grated cheese. If you are new to us, you ought to know we do not edit pictures. You excel like Joe, or we do not publish. To that end, the Fettuccine Alfredo insisted on some glamour shots:
Hot on its heels was one of our all-time-favorites: Chicken Parm. Obviously everyone knows of Chicken Parm Peachy where the best Peachy's Picks are featured, and she might be the only one with a column devoted to this dish. Mezza Luna Pizza serves up a solid performance with delicious chicken and mozzarella!
The Manicottis is absolutely to-die-for. It was the first item that magically disappeared in totality from this review and actions speak louder than words, readers. We absolutely adored the cheese element in it.
Some people in New England call them subs, Peachy because she is from Connecticut calls it a grinder but in New York the sandwiches are called heroes. We took the healthy route with the convincing Grilled Chicken with Lettuce and Tomato, essentially elevated with the proprietary pesto which you ought to try! The freshness and flavor won us over.
Obviously if a venue is calling themselves a Pizza Place and has the word Pizza in their name, it better be great~! And it is here. There are a myriad of toppings covering the traditional spectrum as well as the extras and they even have Gluten-Free Pies (however, Peachy considers Gluten a close friend as you may have heard.) We chose Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Peppers, Onion and Spinach and if you read carefully you know Peachy adores Garlic and even though that was not a menu option, they put it on for her! The vegetable extravaganza was a nutritional triumph and ultimately delicious.
However, we might have liked the cheese pizza even more because we really like the cheese they use and feel this cheese pizza in particular could be habit-forming, in a good way.
This is only the second time Peachy has ever been to Arthur Avenue and so far the neighborhood is two for two! So yes, you absolutely have got to experience the North. Or maybe it is Northeast to be technically correct...Peachy's stomach does not have a compass. But it is definitely delicious so far and these places are enduring!
Mezza Luna Pizza impressed us on our first visit and we can't wait to see what they do next.
Their website tells us:
From Learning to Cook at 16
Generations of family recipes brought to life in every pizza, pasta, and calzone we serve
A Family Tradition Passed Down
Our menu began with thin-crust and Sicilian pies made fresh each morning. Over time, we added pasta, calzones, wraps, paninis, salads, and more—recipes rooted in our Sicilian home. Each dish is made daily to keep that promise of honest, homemade cooking. It’s not just about what’s on the plate; it’s about bringing a bit of our story to every table and making every meal feel like family dinner.
More Than Just a Restaurant
Mezza Luna Pizza isn’t just a business for us. It’s a place built on family values, hard work, and staying true to our roots. Every pizza, pasta, and calzone carries the story of where we came from and what we believe in: fresh food, warm service, and a space where everyone feels welcome. Our guests aren’t just customers—they become part of the story we’re still writing every single day.
Looking Toward Tomorrow
After fifty years, our traditions still guide us, and our family keeps growing with every new guest. We hope you’ll keep sharing this journey—whether you stop by for a quick slice, order a meal for home, or trust us to cater your next event. Our promise is to serve real recipes, honest flavors, and the same spirit that brought us from a small kitchen in Italy to the Bronx.
