Pizzerias are a local staple in the neighborhood. On Friday, June 17, the Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce and Town Legislatures celebrated the grand opening of Poppop’s Pizzeria on Hawkins Avenue in Ronkonkoma.
Sal Presti lives in Lake Grove and has had pizza in his family for generations. “My whole family had pizzerias; I always wanted to open up one,” said Presti after the ribbon cutting ceremony that officially opened his establishment. “I pass here every day, it’s a good fit for my family, and as soon as it became available, I put an immediate offer in.”
A modern look with some old school Italian flare, there is a wide variety of tasty food to choose from at Poppop’s. Dine-in and takeout options are available. You can enjoy some old school television while chowing down on a hot and crisp slice of pizza fresh out of the oven.
Early reviews have come back extremely positive. “I go to a lot of these pizzerias, but they’re doing a great job to start off right away,” said Town of Brookhaven Councilman Kevin J. LaValle. “I love Sicilian slices, and what was good about Poppop’s is they have a very thick crust, it was crunchy and definitely very good.”
After Presti cut the ribbon outside of his storefront, he was handed certificates and warm wishes of luck over the years as he starts his own journey in the pizza world.
“It’s great to see a new addition to Lake Ronkonkoma,” said Kevin L. Hyms, President of the Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce. “They serve great pizza and we hope they’re here for a long time to come.”
The excitement was obvious from everyone in attendance for the grand opening of Poppop’s, and the pizza was thoroughly enjoyed. “This is the owner Sal’s first pizzeria, and we wish him much luck and success,” said Legislator Nicholas J. Caracappa. “We plan on stopping down and being customers as well.”
A nice welcoming family feel defines the restaurant. Poppop’s wants to make sure their customers are well taken care of, and, obviously, enjoying their pizza. “All the sauce and dough recipes come from 1976,” said Presti. Handed down from his cousins, it’s a family business from the recipes to the name.
“Poppop’s is for my father-in-law who passed away and also wanted to own a pizzeria, so I did it in his honor,” said Presti. “We want to keep all the customers happy, that’s my main goal.”
If you’re in the area and looking for a slice, stop into Poppop’s, grab a slice, and join the family.
