Central Newsmagazine News

For real New York brick oven pizza in St. Louis, Racanelli’s is the place to go. Luckily, Racanelli’s has six locations throughout the metro St. Louis area, including a new University City “Express” location, as well as the recently opened Racanelli’s Cucina, a full-service Italian pizzeria and bar in the Loop. The U-City Loop is where the local chain originated in 1994. The owners brought the authentic New York style family recipe all the way from the Bronx, where they have been in business since 1980.

Racanelli’s pizzas are baked in real brick ovens as opposed to electric conveyer ovens often used by other pizza establishments. The biggest difference, though, is in the ingredients.

“We make everything from scratch,” said owner John Racanelli, who has been making pizza for 30 years. “The dough and our sauces are made fresh daily, and we only use the highest quality 100 percent whole milk mozzarella, which we grind ourselves.”

While Racanelli takes pride in his pizzas, he also takes pride in his employees, whom he considers family. Racanelli is so invested in his employees that he plans to grow the business by promoting top employees and placing them in their own pizzerias. Racanelli’s truly is a family affair – John’s wife, Pim, is president, and his father, Vito, prepares the food.

What really makes Racanelli’s a success, though, is the food. The pizza is mouthwatering, and can even be bought by the slice in the restaurants. Customers will want to be sure to try one of the house specialties, such as the Bronx Bomber, which includes all 14 toppings on the menu, or the “Sicilian,” with a double-rise crust and Racanelli’s’ specially blended sauce.

The Italian beef is another Racanelli family recipe made up of 100 percent beef, herbs, spices and seasoning. Although Racanelli’s offers a multitude of delicious toppings and 10 original specialty pizzas, John Racanelli’s personal favorite remains the simple cheese pizza, and it is perfection.

In addition to both dine-in and delivery, Racanelli’s offers catering of its specialty pizzas, pastas, sandwich trays, salads and meat and cheese trays – the perfect solution for those Super Bowl parties, corporate events or pretty much any function, that’s sure to be a hit with guests and not break the bank.

Racanelli’s has successfully created its own unique pizza tradition in St. Louis while keeping its New York roots. As a simple scrumptious slice or a whole big pie, Racanelli’s’ pizza is certain to hit the spot.

Area Locations:

12 S. Euclid, Central West End – (314) 367-7866

8161 Big Bend, Webster Groves – (314) 963-1111

111 N. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood – (314) 909-0008

Hours:

11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday – Thursday

11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday

11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday

racanellis.com