Rusticana Pizza

The family first started in the Pizza business way back in 1969, a little store front in Brooklyn, New York. Mario and Gina Persico with their three small children, and extended family members began to learn the pizza trade. The first years were very challenging. The whole family pitched in. Uncle Mike helped with the build out, he was a carpenter, his wife Vitina brought some family receipts, Uncle Nuzio did the pizza deliveries, Grandpa ( Nonno Carlo ) came on the weekends to help with dishwashing, prep and keep everyone straight.. The Kids did their share folding pizza boxes and scooping up lemon ices for the customers. It wouldnt be uncommon to find the children and their cousin engaged in a pizza box folding contest. What can I tell you..Pizza boxes flying everywhere! They had one employee a Crazy Italian Chef.. He disappeared one day never to be seen or heard from again. What can I say.. Lots of weird things happened in Brooklyn in the 70s. Many of our loyal customers ask Why the Rusticana Name?? Its actually an interesting story… The founder Mario Persico, was born and raised in a small village in the mountains of Sicily, Italy named Vizzini. Vizzini back in its heyday, mid to late 1800s was a place where very prominent people lived. This is evident in the rich baroque architecture, many beautiful churches, piazzas and was a place where the Arts flourished. The composer Giovanni Verga, a Vizzini native published a tragedy in 1880, The story became a famous opera Cavalleria Rusticana . (Rustic Chivalry) It told the story of a young man on his return to his village, (Vizzini) from army service, Turiddu Macca discovers that his sweetheart, Lola, is bethrothed to Alfio. Spitefully, Turiddu begins a flirtation with Santa, the daughter of his employer. Jealous of this new relationship, Lola takes Turiddu as a lover. Santa informs Alfio of Lolas infidelity. Alfio challenges Turiddu to a duel to the death, Turiddu is killed. This story is told as an