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50 Years, 50 Cent Slices At Mamaroneck's Sal's Pizza

MAMARONECK, N.Y. – A regular slice at Sal’s Pizza costs $2.25, but on Sunday, Aug. 24, it will cost just 50 cents as the Mamaroneck staple celebrates 50 years with a block party.

Greg Shafritz of Larchmont says Sal's Pizza slices are even better today than 35 years ago when he started going.

Greg Shafritz of Larchmont says Sal's Pizza slices are even better today than 35 years ago when he started going.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Abby Katz picks up food for the whole family at Sal's Pizza.

Abby Katz picks up food for the whole family at Sal's Pizza.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Rachel Leland, left, with her son, Ethan, 8, and Margo Sayer, right, with her son, Conner, 6.

Rachel Leland, left, with her son, Ethan, 8, and Margo Sayer, right, with her son, Conner, 6.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Bob Derose pounds dough for a pie crust.

Bob Derose pounds dough for a pie crust.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Bob Derose points to a picture of his brother, Sal, and former Yankees manager Joe Torre.

Bob Derose points to a picture of his brother, Sal, and former Yankees manager Joe Torre.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Lines often go out the front door at Sal's Pizza.

Lines often go out the front door at Sal's Pizza.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Gary Enright, right, used to go Sal's growing up in Port Chester, and brings his family on Thursday.

Gary Enright, right, used to go Sal's growing up in Port Chester, and brings his family on Thursday.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly

Back when it opened in 1964, that same slice cost just 25 cents, said Bob Derose, who is Sal’s brother and a 40-year employee. He added that Mamaroneck Avenue will be closed from Spencer Place to Palmer Avenue and food will be served outside on Mamaroneck Avenue. There will also be games for kids and entertainment.

“We’re doing 50 cents a slice for 50 years,” Derose said from behind the counter as he slid a pizza pie into the oven.

Like Derose, Larchmont resident Greg Shafritz said Sal’s Pizza slices have been consistently excellent all of the 35 years he has been eating there.

“I’ve never had a better Sicilian anywhere in the world,” he said, adding that he has lived in Italy. “It’s a must. Everybody should get to experience this level of pizza in their lifetime. That’s my wish for the whole world.”

Even two former Chicagoans, sisters Margo Sayer and Rachel Leland, said Sal’s is their favorite pizza. Margo went as far as to say she likes it better than Chicago pizza, noting the great divide between New York and Chicago over who has the better pizza.

“We just think it’s really fresh, it’s the perfect amount of sauce and cheese, not salty, not too sweet,” she said after eating at Sal’s on Thursday. “I would say this is our favorite New York pizza place.”

Leland said she most enjoys Sal’s grandma slice. The sisters said they drive from their respective homes in Rye Brook at least a few times a month.

Most said they come to Sal’s at least once a week. But Derose said they should come every day.

Town of Mamaroneck Councilwoman Abby Katz is one of those who eats at Sal’s once a week.

“Coming up from the city, this is the only pizza we liked because I like the thin, crispy crust and its done the way I like it,” she said.

Katz ordered an assortment Thursday, which included plain for her, Sicilian slices for her daughter and some chicken slices.

Town of Mamaroneck resident Sabrina Fiddelman has been eating at Sal’s for 20 years and now her teenage son, Danny, is working his way toward that number. 

The 50th anniversary block party will be from 1 to 4 p.m. 

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