I didn’t read about pizza in a book. I lived it.

 

Born and raised in the Bronx, I started slinging slices at 16 under the no-nonsense tutelage of John and Cosimo Tiso. That was Louie & Ernie’s Pizzeria—world famous, East Bronx legit. Eight years there taught me everything: the timing, the rhythm, the attitude, and the discipline that separates a good slice from a forgettable one.

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In 2006, I brought that knowledge—and a deep respect for the craft—down to Charleston, South Carolina. I wanted to create a place where the crust cracked just right, the cheese pulled the way it’s supposed to, and every bite brought you back to the streets of New York. That’s how Sabatino’s Pizza was born. No gimmicks. No shortcuts. Just real Bronx-style pizza, served with pride in the heart of the Lowcountry.

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The downtown shop near King and Calhoun is more than a pizza joint—it’s a spot where regulars are greeted by name, first-timers are welcomed with a smile, and every pie is made like it matters. Because it does. We don’t rush it. We don’t fake it. The dough gets the time it needs. The oven gets the heat it deserves.

 

And the people—locals, college kids, tourists, late-night wanderers—they get a slice that’s real.

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Over time, the shop has built a loyal following, not because we tried to be trendy, but because we stayed true to the slice. That’s what I’m proud of. Not the sales. The smiles. The conversations. The guy from Queens who said, “This tastes like home.” The College of Charleston grad who brings their parents back when they visit.

 

That’s what this place is about.