Top Picks at Scaramella's: Barbecue Chicken Pizza and "Scaramella's Pizza"

Jimmy Thaqi, the twenty-three-year-old owner of Scaramella's Pizzeria in Dobbs Ferry, plans to introduce free appetizers during the afternoon when the weather turns warmer. The appetizers will change daily and typically include mozzarella sticks, French fries and wings. The eatery now offers free soft-drink refills.

Thaqi, who bought Scaramella's Pizzeria 15 months ago, is a diehard New York Yankees fan. Photos of Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Micky Mantle and other heros of yesteryear that played for The Bronx Bombers adorn the walls and still more will be mounted soon.

Best selling pizzas

"Our best selling pie is barbecue chicken pizza with Scaramella's Pizza a close second," he said. Barbecue chicken pizza is served with hickory smoked BBQ sauce and Scaramella's Pizza is made with pepperoni, sausage, green peppers, onions, mushrooms and lots of cheese. Both pies come in four sizes and are priced as follows: personal ($10.50), 14-inch ($16.50), 16-inch ($18.50), and 18-inch ($20.50).

A wide variety of thin-crust speciality pizzas, soup, wraps, heros, pasta, entrées, appetizers, hamburgers, garlic knots, and calzones are available. The heros most in demand, he said, are grilled or breaded chicken cutlet and chicken or veal parmigiana. "Fried Oreos" and house-made cannoli are popular desserts.

"About six months ago, we began offering a coupon for a second free pasta dish if you bought one," Thaqi said. "It has become our most popular coupon." Coupons can be obtained at the pizzeria's website.

The catering menu includes appetizers (such as garlic twists at $15 per half tray), salads, pastas (including stuffed shells at $65 per full tray) and entrées (such as meatballs at $55 per full tray). Half trays accommodate 7-to-9 people and full trays will feed 14 to 18. A cold wedge is priced at $12.75 per foot.

Ready-to-pop-in-the oven pizzas (needing only a few minutes of heating at home) are also available for pickup or delivery.

At Archbishop Stepanic High School in White Plains, Thaqi was a striker for the soccer team. The highlight of his career, he said, came as a Junior when he scored two goals to beat Iona Prep 3-1; he also played shortstop for the varsity baseball team.

He earned a degree in Business Management from Berkeley College in White Plains and while in high school and college, he worked at a pizzeria in The Bronx owned by relatives. Other than rooting for the Yankees, his favorite non-work-related activity is playing chess.

His fiancée Alfrida (they plan to marry in September), when a student at nearby Mercy College, introduced him to Scaramella's. After a few visits, he became acquainted with the owner who later accepted his offer.

The staff includes his brother Lorence and his cousin Andy Gazivoda.

Scarmella's has one large-screen TV set, six tables and it can seat 24 people. When weather permits, two tables are set up on the sidewalk.

What's coming next? "Our current menu, specials and coupons will stay but in June, we'll introduce more desserts such as ice cream bars and three different flavors of Italian ices," Thaqi said.

Scaramella's Pizzeria is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Free delivery is available every day (with a $10 minimum order). The eatery is located at 20 Cedar Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY. 914-478-5022. www.scaramellasdobbsferry.webs.com

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