Our History
We are a Buffalo institution and the city’s original pizzeria, serving iconic Buffalo-style pizza since 1927. If you’re craving a taste of Buffalo’s soul, Santora’s delivers cheesy, pepperoni-packed goodness with a side of hometown pride.
After over eight decades, our family is still serving Buffalo’s best pizza
Our family arrived in Buffalo from Naples, Italy, in 1915. Grandpa Fioravante Santora faced anti-immigrant taunts while installing streetcar tracks. He vowed never to work for anyone else. With Grandma Maria, he began making Italian cookies and candies at home, selling them to stores and on the streets.
Their family grew to eight sons and three daughters. Grandpa bought a larger home at 259 Seneca Street and added a small storefront for their treats. They also made pizza — an Italian specialty not yet popular in America. In 1927, Santora’s Pizzeria Napolitano opened as Buffalo’s first pizzeria and became an instant success.
Today, Santora’s has proudly served Western New York quality pizza, wings, subs, and pasta for over 80 years.