About East Village Pizza

About Us

Our Story

From Delivery Driver to Owner: The Story of Frank Kabatas

East Village Pizza has been at 145 1st Avenue since 1997. Frank Kabatas has owned it since 2003, after working his way up from delivery driver.

My journey at 145 1st Avenue began long before I owned the place. I started as a delivery driver, learning every street in the East Village and, more importantly, learning what people loved about a true New York slice.

I worked my way up, from the delivery bike to the counter, and eventually to the oven, where I mastered the craft of pizza making.

In 2003, I took over as owner, driven by a single mission: to preserve the authentic neighborhood pizza experience I had fallen in love with. For over two decades, we've honored that mission by focusing on what matters: a 72-hour cold-fermented dough, the freshest ingredients, and a commitment to consistency that you can taste in every bite.

With over 1.7 million followers on Instagram and recognition across NYC, East Village Pizza continues to be a go-to destination for anyone looking for the best pizza in Manhattan.

Still here. Still making it better.