Our Little Italy: Not Just Another Pizza Joint

Go anywhere on Long Island, and you’re bound to see a pizza place almost identical to Our Little Italy Pizza & Pasta, nestled in the corner plot of a strip mall in West Islip, N.Y. There’s absolutely nothing special about its red-brick exterior, industry-standard decor, or the toppings on its pizza pies.

It is, on the surface, one in a million. But that’s exactly what makes this seemingly quintessential pizza joint so special to local residents. Our Little Italy is known around town by the acronym “OLI” (pronounced oh-lee), and it’s clearly more than just another pizza place. In addition to dishing out the best Italian cuisine in the area, the restaurant’s management has transformed it from an also-ran to the most impassioned supporter and sponsor in the community.

With seven pizzerias in West Islip’s town limits (and at least that many within the immediate area), culinary competition is cutthroat. That’s what makes OLI’s ascent to the top all the more impressive; less than a decade ago, it was an afterthought under different owners who couldn’t connect with the community.

But then West Islip resident John Raimondi came onto the scene. Raimondi owned another pizzeria in town, and after he acquired OLI business began to boom. Suddenly, OLI was the destination for dinner, midday bites, and even parties, with a robust catering menu that offered discounts for repeat customers. OLI also became a significant sponsor in West Islip’s local sports teams, including the varsity programs and Little League teams.

Step into OLI now, and you’ll smell the aroma of brick oven baking, as well as hear the warm chatter that makes customers here feel like they’re part of one large, welcoming family. The restaurant is renowned for generous portions, as well as dishes like its chicken parmesan and its speciality slices, which include a buffalo chicken pizza slice littered with red onion and generous on the bleu cheese. Customers can even get a so-called loaded baked potato slice, which is as close as anyone can get to Southern soul food in the middle of Long Island.

Taylor Siclari, a local college student and former West Islip varsity football player, says he visits the pizzeria three or four times a week.

“They know me here,” Siclari, 20, says. “It’s a great family atmosphere that makes me feel like I’m eating grandma’s Sunday dinner every day. We used to cater from them for our pregame meals during football season. There’s just nothing better.”