Juliana's Pizza

History

Pasquale "Patsy" Grimaldi's uncle, Pasquale "Patsy" Lancieri who has the same nickname, founded a bakery in 1925. Lancieri converted the bakery to a pizzeria in 1933 known as Patsy's Pizzeria, in East Harlem where Grimaldi worked as a cook. Following in his uncle's footsteps, Grimaldi opened Grimaldi's Pizzeria on Old Fulton Street in 1990. The building has a history dating back to the 18th century, formerly used as a tavern and later owned by Dipoline Manufacturing Company before becoming a pizzeria. In 1998, Grimaldi retired and sold the Grimaldi's brand name and franchise to Frank Ciolli. Due to popularity, Ciolli moved Grimaldi's Pizzeria to a larger building across the street. In 2011, Grimaldi announced he was coming out of retirement at the age of 80. Grimaldi was unable to open a restaurant in his own name due to selling his brand rights. In 2012, he opened Juliana's, named after his mother Maria "Juliana" Lancieri Grimaldi, in Grimaldi's former location starting a rivalry between the two.