You are reading

‘Don of Dough’ Andrew Bellucci dies after heart attack in Astoria pizza shop

 

Pizza legend Andrew Bellucci died Wednesday, May 31, in his beloved Astoria pizza shop. (Photo via Andrew Bellucci’s Pizza Instagram page)

June 1, 2023 By Julia Moro 

Andrew Bellucci, New York City’s beloved pizza legend and owner of Andrew Bellucci’s Pizzeria in Astoria, died from a heart attack late Wednesday, May 31, in his Astoria shop.

While making a pie, Bellucci collapsed at around 7:30 p.m., according to his business partner Matthew Katakis, who said he performed CPR until EMS arrived. Bellucci was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after.

Bellucci, the “Don of Dough,” as Katakis crowned him, was obsessed with his craft. Katakis said that Bellucci would work tirelessly to achieve the perfect crust, experimenting with fermentation and various flours.

“He was family; I believed in him,” Katakis said. “I believed in him because I loved the pizza. I gained 15 pounds from working with him. I would tell him, ‘If I pick up a second slice, everything’s great.'”

Andrew Bellucci (middle) amongst friends. (Photo via Andrew Bellucci’s Pizzeria Instagram page)

Bellucci opened Bellucci Pizza in December of 2020 with former business partner, Leo Dakmak. However, Bellucci and Katakis revamped his pizzeria in 2021, renaming it Andrew Bellucci’s Pizzeria after a bitter feud with Dakmak.

Katakis, the former owner of Slice and owner of Blend Astoria, Pita Pan and Butcher Bar, financially backed Andrew Bellucci’s Pizzeria since 2021.

“He basically wanted to work seven days a week,” Katakis said. “I told him to do what makes him happy. I was proud to give him these two years of total freedom to create whatever he wanted.”

Photo via Andrew Bellucci’s Pizzeria Facebook page

Bellucci made a name for himself in the early ’90s by reviving Lombardi’s on Spring Street in Manhattan, which had closed in the ’80s. But as his career took off, he was arrested for a former crime of embezzling from a law firm where he previously worked.

Bellucci spent time behind bars, where he was the cellmate of infamous Colombo underboss John “Sonny” Franzese. One of Bellucci’s specialty pies, the pepperoni-loaded “Sonny Supreme” was named in his honor.

Bellucci’s ultimate dream was to own and operate a Michelin-star pizzeria.

“I have only one goal,” he previously told The New York Post, “and it’s to become the first slice shop with a Michelin star.”

Bellucci also wanted to make sure his pizza was accessible. Katakis, in support, offered a $3 slice.

“I fell in love with his desire to be accessible and it made me happy to walk in and see all types of people coming in for a slice,” Katakis said.

On Friday, June 2, Bellucci’s will be open, and all proceeds will be donated to Slice Out Hunger.

“The plan is to keep his memory alive,” Katakis said. “Hopefully I can keep producing the high-standard pizza that we were serving thus far.”

email the author: [email protected]
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Op-ed: In Queens, smoke-free buildings are possible!

Mar. 29, 2024 By Ayisha Green: NYC Smoke-Free

For decades, we have known the consequences of tobacco smoke on the human body. We went from understanding smoking as a risk to personal health, to understanding that the smoke exhaled or released into the air by a burning cigarette is damaging the health of our loved ones and broader communities. The tobacco industry does not take responsibility for the health burden created by their products, nor do they take responsibility for the waste created by the existence of commercial tobacco.

CM Moya announces support for massive Metropolitan Park proposal near Citi Field

Council Member Francisco Moya announced his support for Metropolitan Park, a proposal put forward by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International that calls for the construction of a casino and entertainment complex on the parking lot just west of Citi Field.

In a lengthy statement released on Thursday afternoon, Moya said that when he was first approached about the project, his main consideration was ensuring that it would meet the needs of his constituents and provide a major boost to the local economy.