WADING RIVER, NY — Social media has been abuzz in recent days with ecstatic diners raving about the newest incarnation of a longtime Wading River pizzeria.
And the story behind the reborn eatery is a testament to family, love — and one son's mission to see his father's dream realized.
Island Pizzeria, located 6324 NY-25A in Wading River, opened last Wednesday at the spot in the popular shopping plaza where Wading River Pizza was long sited.
Although the spot has seen a series of owners over the years, this time, new proprietor William Drepanis is deeply rooted in the community and has been, for years — his family owns the beloved Greek Island Diner next door.
The story of how a family known for delectable Greek fare decided to branch out into pizza is one woven with love.
His father, Andy Drepanis, who died in January, had long envisioned opening a pizzeria, his son William said.
"My dad and I actually always talked about taking that place," Drepanis said. "He always wanted to, because it was right next door and it was just a no brainer for us. He always wanted that place."
His father, Drepanis said, had worked in pizzerias during his early years in Jamaica, Queens.
And, after he died, and the pizzeria next door saw a series of owners, one day, the opportunity arose for Drepanis to make his father's dream come true.
"The prior owners came to me and asked if I would buy the place from them," he said. "So I made them an offer and I ended up buying the pizzeria."
His father, he said, would be happy to see the new chapter unfolding. "I'm living his dream," Drepanis said. He laughed, adding, "I'm just not sleeping."
Of juggling both the diner and the pizzeria, Drepanis said, "It's a lot of work. But I love it."
Residents have turned out in droves to sample mouthwatering offerings, giving the new Island Pizzeria rave reviews on social media.
When asked if it was difficult to transition from Greek fare to pizza and Italian specialties, Drepanis said he's experienced an outpouring of support from "guys who came out of the woodwork" to help, including those with extensive pizza backgrounds.
"They were all friends with my dad," Drepanis said. "We just hit it off, and they just all helped me. They all worked in pizzerias all their lives, and I just dissected little bits from each one of them."
And, Drepanis pointed out: "You know, the Greeks invented pizza."
According to the Greek Reporter, historical evidence indicates that ancient Greeks ate a flat bread called "flat" — or "plakous" in Greek — baked in a mud oven and topped with herbs, onion, cheese, garlic and olive oil.
The Greek Reporter also said that the Romans adapted the Greek "plakous," and the first pizza as it's known today was found in Naples, Italy.
"The Greeks invented something that was not like the traditional pizza we know, but made with a form of pita," Drepanis said. "I always say, 'The Greeks invented it; the Italians just perfected it.'"
In addition to pizza, Drepanis said he has full kitchen and an expansive menu offering an array of traditional Italian favorites, including pasta, chicken and seafood dishes.
"I'm going to expand that menu over the winter," he said.
In addition, Drepanis plans to offer pizza with a taste of Greece, including a white pizza with gyro meat and onion — and a Greek salad slice. And, too, he's been experimenting with a slice that incorporates a feta/spinach mixture.
He also plans for a touch of elegance — a White Truffle, Gold Leaf pizza, a white pie created with black truffle shavings, white truffle oil, and 24K edible gold flake.
"I'm really excited for it," he said. "It's unbelievably good."
Drepanis isn't the only one in the family enthused about his new venture. His wife and three children are thrilled, he said.
"Between us and the kids, we love Italian food," Drepanis said. "We love pizza. It's very different from the traditional Greek food we've served at the diner. And everybody loves pizza." At his house, he said, "It's a main food group."
Drapnis said, just as he embraced the business by working alongside his own father, his children love to come to work with him, to help their father at both the diner and the pizzeria, following in their family's proverbial footsteps.
"They're so excited about the pizzeria," Drepanis said. "They love pizza."
Both the diner and the pizzeria, Drepanis said, "go hand in hand. The customers are really excited about it. And I'm really excited about it, too."
Drepanis said the process of buying and opening the space happened with lightning speed.
"I signed the lease on Sept. 1 and I opened on Sept. 30," he said, adding that the idea to buy the pizzeria was only born during the summer months. His goal, Drepanis said, was to open in time for all the pumpkin-pickers heading east.
Drepanis looks forward to shepherding his father's legacy forward — years spent touching countless lives not just with his delicious fare but with his genuine love for the diners who made the eatery a part of the fabric of their lives for years.
Catering will also be available; Drepanis has already begun catering for local fire departments, he said.
To his longtime clientele and to new customers, too, Drepanis has a message: "I appreciate everybody's support and I look forward to serving the community for the years to come."
Island Pizzeria will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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