New in Sarasota: Dominick's Family Pizza Coming Soon

SARASOTA, FL — Dominick's Family Pizza, a family-run pizzeria rooted in a multigenerational restaurant legacy, is targeting a soft opening in about two months at 8317 N Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243, owner John Papandrea told Business Debut in a phone interview.

The concept draws on recipes from Papandrea’s late father, Dominick, who built a long career in the pizza business after emigrating from Reggio Calabria, Italy. “These are all my father's recipes,” Papandrea told Business Debut.

What to Expect

The 1,500-square-foot space will seat about 12 to 15 guests. Expect an intimate dining area. He plans to secure a liquor license and is also considering a bring-your-own-beverage approach common in New Jersey, he told Business Debut.

Menu and Vision

The core menu will center on New York-style pizza using family recipes. Papandrea plans classic round pies, Sicilian square pies, and rotating daily specialty pizzas, including vegetable options and combinations with pepperoni, hot honey, and Italian meats. Strombolis, pinwheels, and a focused sandwich lineup centered around chicken cutlets will also be included.

The chicken cutlet sandwiches will be prepared in several formats, such as versions with spicy vodka sauce and pepperoni or with prosciutto and whipped ricotta, Papandrea told Business Debut.

Sides will include housemade mozzarella sticks and family dishes like zucchini patties based on his grandmother’s cooking. He is sourcing ingredients such as nduja sausage, olive oils, basil, and oregano from Calabria.

Dominick's Family Pizza will also test a fixed-price Friday night dinner service. Papandrea said the plan is for in-store dining only with one featured entree each week, such as penne vodka, chicken Parmesan, or fried shrimp with pasta. The set-price meal will include salad, entree, and dessert.

Opening Timeline

Papandrea is targeting a soft opening in about two months. He told Business Debut he expects the soft opening period to last two weeks to a month.

The soft opening will run through reservations with staggered seating times and complimentary food so guests can taste the menu and offer feedback, Papandrea said.

He plans to use the period to refine workflows and train staff before a full public opening.

An exact grand opening date is to be announced.

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Follow the family business on Instagram.