Imagine stepping into a slice of New York history where coal-fired ovens hum with century-old magic.
John’s of Bleecker Street opened in 1929 by Italian immigrant Giovanni Sasso after rebuilding his brick oven from Sullivan Street right on 278 Bleecker St in Greenwich Village.
This family spot draws crowds with thin-crust pies locals crave.
Charred edges and zesty sauce create pure bliss.
No reservations—just pizza passion.
How John’s of Bleecker Street won locals’ hearts
Giovanni Sasso arrived from Italy in the early 1900s carrying tradition, patience, and a coal-fired oven.
When his Sullivan Street lease ended, he refused to start over.
Instead, he took the oven apart brick by brick and rebuilt it on Bleecker Street in 1929—a quiet act of devotion that set the tone for everything that followed.
The pizza did the rest. Thin crusts blistered by coal fire, edges charred just right, and a bright, bold tomato sauce that never changed.
Neighbors spread the word from stoops and street corners, lining up for whole pies—no slices, no shortcuts, no compromises.
Decades passed, trends came and went, but John’s stayed the same.
That consistency earned trust, loyalty, and a fiercely local following.
National praise and celebrity fans followed, yet the heartbeat remained the neighborhood regulars who kept coming back for the same pie they’d always loved.
Today, the line down Bleecker Street tells the story best: authenticity lasts, and devotion—like great pizza—never goes out of style.
Food Highlights
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The John’s Original: Classic 14″ mozzarella and tomato sauce pie; must-try for charred simplicity defining NYC pizza perfection.
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The Sasso: Original plus Parmigiano, oregano, black pepper; popular herby kick honoring founder—hot oven bliss.
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The Margherita: Fresh basil on Original; aromatic balance of cheese, sauce, green hailed as ideal.
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The John’s Bianca Special: No-sauce white pie with mozzarella, ricotta, garlic, basil; creamy garlicky indulgence.
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The Boom Pie: Roasted tomatoes, ricotta, garlic, basil on mozzarella; explosive flavors with tomato stars.
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The Piccante Pie: Cherry peppers, pepperoni, garlic, red pepper; fiery heat locals queue for.
Atmosphere
Step into a timeless Village haunt buzzing with carved wooden booths.
Walls glow with celeb photos amid laughter and clinking glasses.
Noisy, cozy, unpretentious—like an Italian family feast.
Coal oven warmth fuels the high-energy vibe.
Bottom Line
Hit up for historic pies, family legacy, thin crust magic, celeb walls, local love—NYC joy awaits!
Address: 278 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
📞 (212) 243-1680
🕔 Fri-Sat 11:30 AM–11 PM; Sun-Thu 11:30 AM–10 PM