Zio's Pizzeria Celebrates Grand Opening

Fresh dough, homemade sauce, melted cheese, and a town called Syosset, equals what? Zio’s, that’s what.

in Syosset celebrated its grand opening last Thursday by serving traditional Italian cuisine with a new style and a variety of ingredients. The response from customers so far has been positive.

“Your restaurant looks fantastic, and you were so nice, fun, and devoted to the pizza," said customer Susan R. Rubin in a letter she wrote to the restaurant. "I left with a spinach slice and devoured it on the way home."

The restaurant is located on Cold Spring Road to the left of the railroad tracks, and runs a Facebook account for customers.

Owner Marcello Caccialino has worked in the pizza industry for 25 years and comes from a culinary family that goes back 50 years to post-World War II Italy. His grandfathers, Antonio Caccialino and Marcilla Pepe, started the family restaurant, called Terranova (“new land” in Italian) in Naples before moving to the states.

Caccialino named his restaurant Zio’s because people called the men in his family Zio (uncle) when he was growing up. Caccialino said Zio’s is a great place to eat because of the fresh quality, diversity and variety of the ingredients…and of course, the love they put into making the food.

Pizza toppings include penne, baked potato, taco, buffalo chicken, eggplant, salad, and more. Some of its most popular choices are spinach, margarita and grandma style pizza.

In addition, Zio’s offers a wide range of soups, salads, pasta, sides, appetizers, entrees and desserts. Popular orders include crispy garlic bread, traditional baked ziti, classic Caesar salad, grilled chicken, and for dessert, cannoli's.

“The appetizers and entrees here are excellent,” said customer Singh Anand.

Caccialino said that Zio’s pride comes from customers compliments and appreciation of the quality of its food.

“If it pleases customers, then it pleases us," Caccialino said.

Zio’s variety can also be found in its musical style of traditional Italian and modern music. The style is supposed to make people feel youthful.

“When you come in, we want you to feel young at any age," Caccialino said.

Zio's has not experienced any setbacks from the economic state, and prices are relatively inexpensive compared to other pizzerias. At Zio’s, a regular slice of pizza costs $2.30 compared to other places where a slice may be a little bit more expensive.

“Good food, hard work, and a passion for what you do will overcome the economy,” Caccialino said.

Caccialino believes people will like Zio’s because of the atmosphere and food and hopes to expand it in to a franchise soon.

“I am very positive," Caccialino said. "I think it will prosper with the surrounding community and Syosset. There response will allow us to grow, and allow us to open up more Zio’s."