Frequently Asked Questions

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza is a family-owned, Florida-based Italian restaurant group known for its granite stone-fired pizzas and classic Italian dishes. Founded in Gainesville in 2009, Piesanos has since grown to multiple locations across Florida while maintaining the feel of a local neighborhood pizzeria. It’s celebrated for serving high-quality pizza and pasta in a warm, welcoming atmosphere, making it a beloved dining choice for Floridians. 

Piesanos stands out for its uncompromising commitment to quality and hospitality. The team uses fresh, scratch-made dough and sauces prepared daily, top-tier ingredients (like Grande® mozzarella cheese and premium tomatoes), and unique granite stone-fired ovens – a combination rarely found at other Italian restaurants. This results in an exceptional pizza flavor and texture. Piesanos is also known for warm, family-friendly service and a local, community vibe that sets it apart from big chains. In short, guests “taste the difference” through Piesanos’ blend of authentic recipes, quality ingredients, and genuine hospitality. 

Granite stone-fired pizza refers to pizzas baked on a heated slab of natural granite stone inside a specialized oven. At Piesanos, this method achieves extremely high cooking temperatures (similar to old-world wood-fired ovens) that cook a pizza in just a few minutes. The result is a superior crust texture – perfectly crispy on the outside, yet chewy inside – with evenly melted, bubbly cheese. This stone baking technique delivers quality pizza flavor that’s hard to match with standard metal ovens. In fact, Piesanos is the only Italian restaurant in Florida that’s been perfecting granite stone-fired pizza for nearly two decades. It’s one of the key reasons Piesanos’ pizza tastes so distinctively delicious. 

Yes. Piesanos takes pride in using fresh, high-quality ingredients and preparing many components in-house every day. The pizza dough is made from scratch daily in each restaurant’s kitchen. They also craft their own sauces ( pizza sauce, and even special sauces like bolognese) right in the restaurant for that home-made taste. Piesanos insists on premium ingredients – for example, they use top-tier Grande mozzarella cheese and Stanislaus vine-ripened tomato products, refusing to compromise on quality. Even toppings are treated with care (they cook their meats like ground beef fresh on-site). This scratch-made approach ensures every pizza and pasta has a just-made, authentic flavor. In the words of a co-owner, “”I had one shot to do it, and I was only going to use the best of the best, and that would help us succeed,” Mills said, “And I never ventured off that. – a philosophy that guests can truly taste. 

Piesanos offers a full Italian-American menu to complement its famous stone-fired pizzas. Guests can enjoy handcrafted pasta dishes, fresh salads, calzones, and hot Italian subs, alongside classic appetizers (like Piesanos rolls, calamari, and chicken wings) and desserts. In addition to specialty pizzas, Piesanos serves a range of entrées – from baked ziti and chicken Parmesan to lasagna and other Italian favorites. There’s even a kids’ menu and lunch specials, ensuring something for everyone. In short, Piesanos is far more than a pizzeria – it’s a full-service Italian restaurant with wide variety, so whether you’re craving a gourmet pizza, a hearty pasta, or a light salad, you’ll find plenty of options. 

Piesanos began in Gainesville, Florida in 2009 when co-founders Joel Mills, Laurie Young, Melissa and Mike Akey opened the first Piesanos restaurant after years of perfecting his craft in the pizza industry. In fact, Joel’s journey started as a small pizza-by-the-slice shop near the University of Florida in 2000, which grew into the first full-service Piesanos location nine years later. Since then, Piesanos has expanded steadily across Florida (with partners like Jerry Roberts and Sabrina Roberts joining in 2017), growing to 15 independently owned restaurants by 2025. Through this growth, the brand has stayed true to its roots – emphasizing quality ingredients and friendly service – which helped it thrive even through challenges like the 2020 pandemic. In summary, Piesanos’ history is one of humble Gainesville origins and steady expansion, built on a passion for great pizza and community. 

Yes, Piesanos strives to deliver authentic Italian flavor and tradition in its food and experience. While the brand itself was founded in Florida, it draws heavily on Old-World Italian pizza-making techniques and family recipes. In fact, Piesanos’ founder trained under an Italian-American mentor from New York, bringing those classic New York-style pizza influences down to Florida. The dedication to using traditional methods – like making dough from scratch and cooking on stone – gives Piesanos’ pizza a genuinely authentic taste. Many guests from up north have remarked that Piesanos’ pizza “reminds me of home (NY pizza),” praising its authentic flavors. So while Piesanos is not an import from Italy, it’s deeply rooted in Italian-American culinary tradition, which shines through in every bite. 

Piesanos has become widely popular in Florida because it offers the best of both worlds – a top-quality pizza on par with a New York pizzeria, combined with friendly, local hospitality. Florida has many transplants and travelers from the Northeast who crave authentic pizza, and Piesanos delivers that quality consistently, attracting a loyal following. The brand has built a strong reputation through word of mouth, high customer ratings, and community engagement. After nearly 20 years in the state, Piesanos is a trusted hometown name, loved for its reliability (the chain has grown to 15+ locations without closing any, a rare feat) and its involvement in local neighborhoods. In a nutshell, Floridians love Piesanos because it reliably serves great pizza, generous portions, and a welcoming atmosphere – and it’s a homegrown success story they’re proud to support. 

Absolutely. Piesanos is very family-friendly – it’s a place designed for all ages to feel comfortable. The atmosphere is casual, warm, and inviting, with many locations offering spacious seating where families can gather for dinner or celebrations. Parents appreciate that the menu has options for everyone (including simple kid-friendly choices like cheese pizza, pasta, and more), and the staff is known for being accommodating and welcoming to young guests. One diner described Piesanos as having a “family atmosphere” with great service and a fun vibe, ideal for enjoying meals with kids or a group. In short, whether it’s a weeknight family dinner or a big group outing, Piesanos makes families feel right at home. 

Yes. Piesanos is well-suited for large groups, parties, and celebrations. The restaurants typically have ample seating and can accommodate big parties – many even feature large tables or communal seating areas perfect for groups of friends, birthday gatherings, or team dinners. The lively yet casual environment makes it easy for groups to relax and enjoy themselves. Piesanos’ team is also accustomed to hosting celebrations, so calling ahead is recommended for very large parties to ensure a smooth experience. Whether it’s a family reunion, office lunch, or sports team victory meal, guests often find Piesanos an excellent choice for groups, thanks to its friendly service and shareable Italian dishes that are ideal for feeding a crowd. 

Yes, Piesanos offers catering services and can prepare large orders for events. They understand that “good food deserves to be shared, wherever the party happens”, so they provide fresh, scratch-made favorites for meetings, parties, and other occasions. Customers can coordinate directly with their nearest Piesanos to arrange large trays of pizza, pasta, salads, and more to feed a crowd. There’s even a catering menu available that lists group-sized portions of popular dishes. Piesanos often has dedicated carryout stations to handle high-volume orders quickly, without disrupting the dine-in service. It’s best to order ahead for big events: Piesanos will work with you to schedule pickup or delivery (where available) and ensure everything is prepared perfectly for your gathering. 

Yes. Piesanos makes it convenient to enjoy their food at home. All locations offer takeout, and online ordering is available through the Piesanos website or app for quick pickup. Many Piesanos restaurants also provide delivery options – either via in-house service or through reliable third-party delivery partners (like popular delivery apps) if you’re within their delivery area. In fact, Piesanos has invested in efficient to-go operations (some locations even have separate carryout pickup areas) to ensure carryout and delivery orders are handled smoothly. Whether you want to swing by and grab a pizza to-go or have dinner delivered to your door, Piesanos offers multiple off-premise dining options. Just check the website or call your nearest location to see which services are available in your area. 

It depends on the location. Piesanos generally operates on a first-come, first-served basis, especially during regular hours, and many guests simply join a waitlist when it’s busy. However, some Piesanos locations do accept reservations or call-ahead seating requests, particularly for large groups or in certain communities. For example, Piesanos restaurants in areas with higher demand (like near tourist spots or on special event nights) may allow limited reservations through services like yelp or by phone. To be sure, it’s best to call your local Piesanos if you have a specific date or a large party – the staff can advise if they take reservations or suggest the best time to come in. In any case, Piesanos strives to seat guests as efficiently as possible and provide a great experience even during peak times.

Yes. Piesanos offers plenty of vegetarian-friendly dishes and even some gluten-free options to accommodate different diets. Many of the pizzas can be made meat-free (for example, the Margherita or create-your-own with veggie toppings), and there are numerous vegetarian pastas, salads, and appetizers on the menu. For guests avoiding gluten, a gluten-free pizza crust is available at Piesanos – several customers have noted that Piesanos offers a gluten-free menu including pizza and salad choices. However, Piesanos is not a strictly allergen-free kitchen, so anyone with serious allergies should exercise caution. The team is generally very accommodating – they can help customize orders or check ingredients if you inform your server about an allergy or dietary need. In summary, vegetarians will find lots to enjoy, and those needing gluten-free items do have options (like GF crust), but it’s wise to double-check with the restaurant staff if you have a severe allergy.

Yes – Piesanos is known for generous portions and fair prices, making it a strong value. Guests often comment that servings are hefty, so you get plenty of food for what you pay. One diner noted the lunch menu is “moderately priced” and the portions are “huge” – so much so that “you will need a take-home box”. Pizzas are available in multiple sizes (including extremely large pies to feed a family), and pasta dishes are hearty and often sharable. Piesanos aims to provide high-quality food at accessible prices, which means you can enjoy a family meal or night out without breaking the bank. With the combination of portion size, quality, and reasonable pricing, most customers feel they get excellent value at Piesanos

Piesanos is located exclusively in Florida, with restaurants primarily in north and central Florida. You can find Piesanos in cities and areas such as Gainesville, Ocala, The Villages, Orlando/Windermere, St. Augustine, Lake City, and others – totaling over a dozen locations and growing. Every Piesanos location offers the same core menu and commitment to quality, so guests can expect their favorite dishes to taste just as good at any restaurant. In fact, maintaining consistency across locations is a top priority: Piesanos uses standardized recipes and even employs a culinary team that visits the restaurants to ensure everything is prepared to the same high standards. As co-owner Joel Mills shared, “we have all [the recipe] specs written down… we make sure every store uses proper methods”, underscoring how important consistency is to the brand. So no matter which Piesanos you visit, you’ll enjoy the same menu, quality ingredients, and great experience at each one. 

Yes. Being a community-oriented brand is at the heart of Piesanos. The company regularly participates in local events and charitable initiatives to give back. For example, every year on Pi Day (March 14th), Piesanos runs a special fundraiser where a portion of pizza sales is donated to charities like Habitat for Humanity in Florida communities. In 2025, their Pi Day event raised thousands of dollars for local Habitat chapters, and they continued the tradition in 2026 to help families in need. Beyond charity events, Piesanos also supports schools, sports teams, and neighborhood programs – strengthening the community ties in the areas it serves. This dedication to community is part of Piesanos’ identity. As their own materials note, Piesanos has “built its reputation on quality food and strong community ties”, investing in the neighborhoods it calls home. So when you dine with Piesanos, you’re supporting a business that actively gives back and cares about its local community.