STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Dough By Licastri’s flagship location at 1456 Richmond Road in Dongan Hills has discontinued its pickup service, redirecting all takeout and delivery orders to its sister restaurant at 3831 Richmond Ave. in Eltingville. This change was announced over the weekend by owner Vito Balsamo, who explained the decision was part of a strategic move to streamline operations.
“We discontinued pickup service at the Dongan Hills location to simplify our operations,” said Balsamo. “The Richmond Road spot has a small kitchen, and we weren’t able to keep up with dough production.” Consequently, all orders placed for the Richmond Road address and via the number 718-668-1600 are now being managed from the Eltingville location.
Balsamo noted that while the Richmond Road site will no longer handle customer orders, it will still be actively used for inventory and preparation work. “If people see activity at the Richmond Road spot, it’s because we are using the kitchen there for essential prep work,” he added.
Currently, Dough By Licastri operates two locations on Staten Island: the Eltingville restaurant at 3831 Richmond Ave. and another at 977 Victory Blvd. in Silver Lake, each under different ownership.
Balsamo’s Eltingville establishment, which opened in 2022, offers seating for 22 patrons and operates on a BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage) basis. He describes his two-year-old pizzeria as an “upscale” dining spot.
In contrast, the Silver Lake location, which opened this past spring, provides a different ambiance. It features a lounge area, an extensive wine list, and more seating options, including an outdoor section.
Dough By Licastri’s recipes remain consistent across locations, adhering to the original formulations developed by the restaurant’s namesake, the late Stephen Licastri. Stephen, who passed away at 63 in the spring of 2019, meticulously crafted the dough recipe using a proprietary starter dough passed down from his family’s baker dating back to the 1950s.
Stephen’s grandfather, Philip Licastri, began making dough in Little Italy and transported it to Staten Island via the ferry, initially selling it from a horse and buggy. This tradition eventually led to the establishment of Licastri Bakery in 1919 at 33 Olympia Blvd. in South Beach. In 1956, Stephen’s maternal grandfather, Joseph Fricano, opened Ciro’s Pizzeria at 1400 Hylan Blvd. in Grasmere.
Stephen’s dedication to perfecting the dough recipe is a legacy that Balsamo and the team at Dough By Licastri continue to honor. “Our hashtag says it all: ‘It’s all about the dough,’” Balsamo emphasized. “We always strive for the excellence in dough that Stephen laid the groundwork for, and that’s what we intend to maintain moving forward.”