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Mezza Luna Pizza
Mezza Luna Pizza is a family-owned New York-style pizzeria located at 600 East 187th Street in the Belmont neighborhood of the Bronx, New York, on the historic Arthur Avenue in Bronx Little Italy. Originally established as Full Moon Pizza in 1976, the business has served as a longstanding community staple for nearly five decades, offering traditional pizza and Italian-American specialties while maintaining strong local ties. Operated for much of its history by the Petti family—including longtime owner Stan Petti—the pizzeria was rebranded to Mezza Luna Pizza in recent years, preserving its authentic recipes and reputation for quality slices in the Bronx’s iconic Italian enclave. The establishment is recognized as a beloved fixture in the neighborhood, celebrated for its consistency and role in Bronx Little Italy’s culinary heritage.
History
Founding and ownership
Mezza Luna Pizza traces its origins to Full Moon Pizza, which opened in 1976 when the location at 600 East 187th Street was converted from the Half Moon Restaurant into a pizzeria. The Petti family, immigrants from Nocera Inferiore, Italy, became involved shortly thereafter. Stan Petti purchased the business in 1978. The Petti family built the pizzeria into a longstanding family-run operation in the Bronx’s Belmont neighborhood. Stan Petti began working at the pizzeria as a young teenager—starting as early as age 12—and played a central role in its daily operations for decades. He maintained traditional New York-style pizza recipes and community focus under family management, with assistance from his parents Jerry and Marie in the kitchen. The pizzeria operated under the Full Moon name and Petti family ownership for nearly five decades before its rebranding to Mezza Luna Pizza in recent years.
Rebranding
In recent years, the pizzeria transitioned from its previous name, Full Moon Pizza, to Mezza Luna Pizza following a change in ownership. The rebranding occurred under Joe Lo Presti, who has operated the establishment since 2023. The new name “Mezza Luna,” which translates to “half moon” in Italian, maintains a thematic connection to the original “Full Moon” moniker while symbolizing continuity rather than a break from tradition. This rebranding has been presented as a refresh that preserves the core elements of the business, including its longstanding recipes and commitment to quality that date back to 1976. Announcements surrounding the change have consistently emphasized “new name, same great taste” and the enduring family spirit and flavors, underscoring that the rebranding did not alter the fundamental character or offerings that have made it a fixture in the neighborhood.
Location
Arthur Avenue setting
Mezza Luna Pizza is located at 600 East 187th Street in the Belmont neighborhood of the Bronx, New York City, with the ZIP code 10458. The pizzeria occupies a position within the historic Arthur Avenue district, widely recognized as Bronx Little Italy, where East 187th Street forms a key part of the bustling commercial strip lined with Italian specialty shops, markets, and restaurants. This location places it amid the neighborhood’s concentration of family-owned businesses that define the area’s enduring Italian-American character, near landmarks of the Arthur Avenue Retail Market and surrounding traditional eateries.
Community role
Mezza Luna Pizza has served as a cherished staple in the Belmont neighborhood’s Arthur Avenue community for nearly five decades, embodying the enduring spirit of family-owned businesses in Bronx Little Italy. As a family-operated pizzeria founded by immigrants from Nocera Inferiore, Italy, it preserves authentic Italian-American culinary traditions while fostering a welcoming atmosphere where guests are treated like extended family.[11][1] The establishment contributes to local culture by maintaining generational recipes and dedication to community ties, offering residents and visitors a consistent taste of heritage amid the evolving landscape of the historic district. Its role emphasizes continuity, with the recent rebranding preserving the same traditional approach that has defined its place in the neighborhood.[1]
Menu
Pizza styles and specialties
Mezza Luna Pizza specializes in traditional New York-style pizza, characterized by a thin, crispy crust, generous toppings, and classic preparation methods that have remained consistent since the pizzeria’s founding in 1976. The pizzeria offers several pizza styles, including thin-crust New York-style pies, Sicilian pies, and pan pizzas. Pizzas are available in small (6 slices), large (8 slices), pan (8 slices), and gluten-free options. Signature and popular pizzas include the classic Margherita, regular cheese, Buffalo Chicken, Eggplant Parm, Spinach and Artichoke, and Chicken Parm, alongside other specialty varieties and customizable topping combinations.
Other offerings
In addition to its signature pizzas, Mezza Luna Pizza offers a selection of traditional Italian-American appetizers, salads, pastas, and other specialties. Appetizers include garlic knots, mozzarella sticks, arancini (jumbo rice balls), jumbo potato croquettes, mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, meatballs, sausage, and side vegetables such as grilled or sautéed options. Salads feature the Caesar salad, while pasta dishes include farfalle al pesto among other traditional options. The menu also includes calzones, wraps, and focaccia, along with gluten-free alternatives for select items.
Reception
Customer reviews and popularity
Mezza Luna Pizza maintains strong popularity as a beloved spot for New York-style pizza on Arthur Avenue, drawing consistent crowds of locals and visitors to the Belmont neighborhood. The pizzeria has accumulated hundreds of customer reviews across platforms, with a 4.0 out of 5 rating based on 393 reviews on Yelp, where patrons frequently commend the large, crispy slices that hold up without flopping, along with generous toppings and fresh, flavorful pies. Common praises include the crust’s perfect texture—described as chewy yet crisp—and the authentic taste that evokes classic Bronx pizza traditions. On delivery platforms such as Uber Eats, it earns a higher 4.6 rating from over 1,000 customer ratings, reinforcing its appeal as a reliable go-to for slices and other items. This sustained positive feedback underscores Mezza Luna Pizza’s enduring status as a neighborhood favorite, bolstered by its longstanding presence on Arthur Avenue.
Media mentions
Mezza Luna Pizza has received occasional coverage in local media and popular pizza review platforms. In 2019, while operating under its former name Full Moon Pizza, the pizzeria was profiled in a “Boogie Down Bites” segment by News 12 Bronx, which highlighted its ability to distinguish itself amid the dense concentration of pizzerias along Arthur Avenue. More recently, Dave Portnoy reviewed the pizza at Mezza Luna Pizza as part of his One Bite series on the One Bite app. These mentions reflect the establishment’s enduring presence in Bronx Little Italy’s food scene.”