Certified Neapolitan Pizza Coming To Alexandria In Former Dry Cleaner Space

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Pupatella, a regional pizzeria known for its Neapolitan pizza, is looking to serve up pies in Alexandria.

The Arlington-founded pizzeria applied to open a location at 700 Slaters Lane, according to a special use permit application filed with the city. Outdoor patio seating is proposed as part of the application.

Naples, Italy native Enzo Algarme started Pupatella in 2007, seeking to bring authentic Neapolitan pizza to the DC area. The pizzeria is certified by the Assozione Verace Pizza Napoletana, as it follows strict guidelines to make an authentic Neapolitan pizza in a 900-plus degree wood-fire oven. The certified pizza features dough made of Italian flour, sea salt, fresh yeast and water, sauce made from San Marzano tomatoes from Italy, fresh cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, sea salt, fresh basil and olive oil.

The restaurant's menu also includes a range of red and white pizzas with a variety of toppings, as well as small plates, salads, panini, and pasta.

The original location opened on Wilson Boulevard in north Arlington. There are now eight locations in Northern Virginia and DC.

The future Alexandria location was formerly home to Sam's Custom Cleaners, a dry cleaning business that closed after owner Tony Tran died. Tran was well known in the Alexandria community as a naturalized Vietnamese-American citizen and small business owner for decades.

More information about Pupatella is available on the restaurant's website. The city is accepting public comments on Pupatella's special use permit application through July 20.