Rediscovering the Heart of Pizza: Giovanni Cesarano of King Umberto
In the latest episode of the Smart Pizza Marketing Podcast, Giovanni Cesarano from King Umberto shares exciting updates and timeless insights about his iconic pizzeria.
A Legacy of Excellence
King Umberto, established in 1976, has been a staple in Long Island. Giovanni, a part-owner and general manager, continues his family’s legacy, maintaining the traditional pizzeria feel with pickup-only services—no delivery, Uber Eats, or DoorDash.
Adapting and Innovating
During COVID-19, King Umberto doubled their seating with a new outdoor dining area called “the patio.” They’re now revamping the indoor dining space and expanding the basement prep room to start in-house bakery production. Inspired by Giovanni’s trip to Naples, the new offerings will include breads, focaccia, pastries, cakes, and cookies.
Signature Dishes
King Umberto is famous for their Grandma pizza—a super thin, crispy pizza with garlic-spiked marinara sauce and fresh oregano. The menu boasts over 100 items, including pasta dishes, salads, seafood, and various pizza styles.
The Old-School Approach
Giovanni and his partners focus on improving the product and customer service without adding delivery services. This commitment has increased sales and strengthened their community presence. Giovanni emphasizes personal interactions and knowing customers by name, blending old-school values with modern marketing techniques.
Looking Ahead
Giovanni is dedicated to enhancing their current location rather than expanding. By continually improving offerings and the customer experience, King Umberto aims to remain a beloved destination.
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Founded in 2010 by Mike Kurtz, the brand was born from a desire to create and share the highest quality honey infused with chili peppers. Mike began drizzling his signature hot honey on pizzas at the Brooklyn pizzeria where he worked, and customers started to ask if they could buy bottles to take home.
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