Is The Real Original Ray's Pizza Really Closing This Month?

Ray's Pizza: for the birds? (Flickr user djwerdna)

Yesterday, pizza aficionados were stunned and saddened by the news that the original—no, really—Ray's Pizza is set to close at the end of this month. Or...is it?

Ray's, at 27 Prince Street, is reportedly the victim of a complicated real estate battle between family members with opposing interests in the space, which also holds an Italian restaurant and apartments in addition to the pizzeria. Current owner Helen Mistretta, a 79-year-old cousin of the original owner Ralph "Ray" Cuomo (who spent the later years of his life in prison for alleged mob ties), says the pizzeria will close down after the San Gennaro festival winds down on September 25, unless star customers like Leonardo DiCaprio or Mark Wahlberg step in to save the joint. (A Ray's-Walhburger double-header, anyone?)

She is looking into the possibility of finding a new space for Ray's, whose thin-yet-sturdy crust and tangy tomato sauce make it a favorite amongst pizza lovers. But does she even need to? A Ray's staffer we spoke to this morning briskly snapped at us: "No, the store's not closing, so whaddya want to know?" Interesting. The final word will be revealed next week, but in the meantime, it's probably not a bad idea to get your slice fix now...just in case.

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By Jamie Feldmar in Food on September 19, 2011 12:48 PM

Comments [rss]

crusher153

every rays pizza i've been to sucks! including this one

bittinho

I went there today for the first time for a slice and I probably dealt with the same surly employee who snapped at me when I asked for a slice of the pie fresh out of the oven not the stuff that was sitting in the counter for who knows how long. For almost $4 for a pepperoni slice it was absolutely nothing special. I won't be going again because of the attitude and overhyped and overpriced pizza.

Soledad Rius

On the other hand, Pepe's fantastic pizza is coming to NY: http://t.co/KjzJvJY

Park_ing

Well, there'll still be NOT Ray's Pizza in Fort Greene on Fulton

youngpro

This was already in the NYT yesterday and was confirmed. I understand not many readers of Gothamist read the NYT.

John_Del_Signore

I understand not many readers of Gothamist actually read Gothamist before commenting. As Jamie reported above, there seems to be some dispute about whether Ray's is closing, and just because it's in the Times doesn't mean it's fact. From above: "A Ray's staffer we spoke to this morning briskly snapped at us: 'No, the store's not closing, so whaddya want to know?' "