Jul. 18, 2025 By Christy Hinko
On Metropolitan Avenue, between 74th and 75th streets in Middle Village, Carlo’s Pizzeria isn’t just a place to grab a slice — it’s a place where history is folded into every piece of dough, sauce and cheese. The beloved neighborhood pizzeria has been serving Queens for nearly 60 years, now led by third-generation owner Anthony Caruana, who proudly carries forward the dream his grandfather brought from Sicily.
“My grandfather immigrated from Sicily in 1964,” said Caruana. “He always dreamed of being a chef. He came to America with my grandmother and eventually opened Carlo’s Pizzeria in 1966, right here at 74-02 Metropolitan Avenue. He started with just pizza and soda. That was it.”
The founder, Carlo Caruana, started humbly, learning how to make pizza from a fellow restaurateur after arriving in New York. That foundation eventually led to his establishment, named after himself, where a simple Sicilian pie and meatball hero became the cornerstone of a neighborhood institution.