South Shore, get ready.
Dario’s — the West Hempstead pizzeria known for its Roman-style slices and a Philly cheesesteak that’s recently gone viral — is opening a second location in Massapequa Park.
Owner Pier Dario Carosi said the expansion comes after two years of planning and growing demand from customers farther east.
“A lot of people have been asking us to come to that area,” Carosi told Greater Long Island. “We looked at a bunch of places, including Bay Shore and Babylon, and then this spot in the Southgate Shopping Center just fell into my lap.”
A ‘different experience’
The new restaurant will feature the same menu as the original Nassau Boulevard location, anchored by Roman-style pizza and specialty slices.
“We know there’s a lot of competition, including another that also makes a similar Roman-style pizza,” Carosi said. “But ours is just a different experience.”
That includes the Diavola, one of the shop’s top sellers.
“The Diavola is so good with burrata, spicy salami imported from Italy and hot honey,” he said. “But our regular slice is strong too — it’s just not the same as other places.”
An surprise viral sensation
Warning: language
@snacktimetv_ Long islands BEST pizza? 🍕 @dariospizzali #pizza #pizzalover #foodies ♬ Che La Luna – Louis Prima
While pizza remains the foundation, it’s Dario’s Philly cheesesteak that has quickly become one of Long Island’s hottest items.
“I honestly have no clue why it went viral,” Carosi said. “It was supposed to be a one-day special after I saw a video about Angelo’s in Philadelphia. It looked good, so I ordered 200 pounds of ribeye — and we sold 300 in less than an hour.”
He brought it back the following weekend. It sold out even faster. Now it’s a permanent menu item.
“Last week we sold more than 1,800 of them,” he said.
Growth behind the scenes
The surge in demand has reshaped operations at the West Hempstead location.
“We always made our dough fresh every day for pizza and focaccia,” Carosi said. “But with how crazy the cheesesteak is selling, I had to hire two new bakers who start as soon as we close at 11 p.m. We’re basically a 24-hour operation now — and I just bought a second oven.”
The business has grown from six employees to 29 in just a few years.
“I’m grateful for all the success — not only because we have a great product, but because we have a great team,” Carosi said. “Without them, I wouldn’t be here.”
What’s next
Carosi said he hopes to open a third location by 2027, somewhere “far out east,” though he’s keeping specifics under wraps for now.
“Let me open the second one before I talk about a third,” he said with a laugh.
The Massapequa Park location, at 4952 Merrick Road across from Massapequa High School, is expected to open by the end of June.
Top: Dario’s owner Pier Dario Carosi in the kitchen at his West Hempstead location. (Credit: GLI/Andrew Rappaport)
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