STORY AND PHOTOS BY LOREN SPANGLER
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A red banner at N.Y. Pizza Baby boasts proudly, “Hand Tossed New York Style Pizza.” With a name that suggests old-world heritage and modern convenience, customers will find an atmosphere of friendly service and outstanding food that will make them return again and again. Listing seventeen pizza combinations to choose from on their menu, N.Y. Pizza Baby has something for everyone. As advertised, prices start at $1.50 per slice.

A pizza filled case inside the restaurant indicates that N.Y. Pizza Baby is all about offering the very best in variety as well as quality. With generous selections like Lasagna Pizza, Italian Chicken Pizza, Roma Spinach Pizza, all $11.95, and others, like Stuffed Meat, Veggie, and Chicken Pizza’s for $13.95 each, this truly is a pizza lovers delight. For those looking for something unique and tropical, try the Hawaiian Pizza with Ham, Pineapple, & X-Cheese for $11.95. A traditional approach would be the Meat Lovers Pizza with Pepperoni, Ham & Bacon. And for those that have difficulty deciding, a Gourmet, Deluxe Pizza with “All the Works,” for $12.95 is an excellent choice as well. But whatever delicious pizza you decide to choose, you and your family will find that every choice is the correct one.

Perry Hansen, the owner, is no stranger to the restaurant business and especially with the art of making fine pizza. Although being raised in Winter Haven, he operated his first restaurant in New York, and two more in North Carolina before finally returning to Florida…all with an emphasis on pizza. His experience over the years has made him highly knowledgeable in customer satisfaction and both he and his chef, Hector Lopez, make a dedicated effort to do so.

In addition to serving great pizza, N.Y. Pizza Baby offers twenty Italian Dinners, starting at $5.95 and seven different salads, with a choice of Italian, Ranch, or Blue Cheese dressing… starting at $3.95. Perry says that although the current menu features mostly Italian food, he plans to add Hamburgers, Fries, and Chicken-Wings in the near future. From my experience of dining there, I am sure that the new additions will be a success as well.

All recipes at N.Y. Pizza Baby are the creations of Perry. He also takes credit for the unique and catchy title. “I think a good name helps bring customers in,” he says pointing to a fresh stack of garlic rolls, and mentions that he has to make several batches per day. “Customers like to store them in their freezers so that they will have a constant supply,” he adds. N.Y. Pizza Baby offers take-out for those on the run, sit-down eating, and for a fee, home delivery is offered as well.

When asked which of his specialties sell the best, Perry says they all are doing well, but in the long run, the Gourmet Deluxe pizza may prove to be the most popular. “I get amazing feedback from customers that are here from locations in the northeast. They say our pizza is much better than anything they can get back home. That makes me feel we are doing it right.” A genuine desire to offer a large variety of quality foods has resulted in their success, Perry believes. N.Y. Pizza Baby has only been open three months and business has been so good that he plans to open an additional restaurant in Lakeland.

N.Y. Pizza Baby is located at the Shoppes on the Ridge, Lake Wales Florida, north of Eagle Ridge Shopping Center. The phone number is (863) 678-3820 and the hours are Monday- Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Friday- Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 12 (midnight). On Sunday they are open from 12 (noon) to 9 p.m.

Once you are in the Shoppes on the Ridge shopping center, look for the specially painted Hummer near the front door. You can’t miss it…just like the name, N.Y. Pizza Baby.

Owner Perry Hansen and chef Hector Lopez.