Di Fara Pizza Midwood - A Brooklyn Legend's Story

When folks talk about the very best pizza experiences in Brooklyn, one name, Di Fara Pizza Midwood, pretty much always comes up. This place, a true icon of the borough, has been serving up slices that many people consider simply unmatched for a very long time. It’s more than just a spot to grab a bite; it’s a piece of local history, a place where the love for making good food really shines through in every single piece.

This pizzeria, you know, sits right there at 1424 Avenue J, in the Midwood part of Brooklyn, New York City. It’s been there, in that exact corner spot, since way back in 1965. For well over fifty years now, the folks at Di Fara have been working to create what many call perfect pizza, a tradition that has carried on day after day for half a century, more or less.

The story of this place, which is that of a family’s dedication to a craft, is pretty compelling. It’s about sticking to what works, picking out the right things to put in the food, and making sure everyone who tries it gets a taste of something truly special. From its humble beginnings, this spot has grown into a landmark, a place people come from far and wide to experience, really.

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Table of Contents

• The Story Behind Di Fara Pizza Midwood
• Who Was Dom DeMarco, The Man Behind Di Fara Pizza Midwood?
• What Makes Di Fara Pizza Midwood So Special?
• How Did Di Fara Pizza Midwood Become a Local Icon?
• Getting Your Own Slice of Di Fara Pizza Midwood
• Can You Find Di Fara Pizza Midwood Beyond Brooklyn?
• The Legacy of Di Fara Pizza Midwood
• The Di Fara Pizza Midwood Experience

The Story Behind Di Fara Pizza Midwood

The tale of Di Fara Pizza Midwood, you see, starts with a person named Domenico De Marco, though most people knew him as “Dom.” He opened this pizza place in 1965 after he came to Brooklyn from the province of Caserta, which is in Italy. Before he started Di Fara Pizza, Dom spent some time working on a farm up in Huntington, just a little bit away from the city, until someone told him about what they called a “good spot” on Avenue J in Brooklyn. This, in a way, set the stage for everything that was to come.

For many, many years, Dom De Marco was the one making the pizza, preparing it all by hand. He used what people describe as sweet tomato sauce, cheeses brought in from other places, olive oil that tasted very good, and fresh basil leaves. This approach, which was rooted in tradition and a clear love for the craft, made his pizza something truly distinct. It's almost as if every pie had a piece of his heart in it, so to speak.

The restaurant has been a fixture in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn for a very long time. It has always been known for offering both traditional kinds of pizza and some offerings that are a bit more unique. Popular choices, you know, have always included the round pie, the square pie, the regular slice, and the square slice. Each one, in its own way, offers a taste of what makes this place so talked about.

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Who Was Dom DeMarco, The Man Behind Di Fara Pizza Midwood?

Dom De Marco, the person who started Di Fara Pizza Midwood, was a figure of great importance in the local food scene. He was, in some respects, a master of his craft, someone who dedicated his life to making pizza that people would travel for. His hands, it is said, were the tools through which his passion for creating good food came to life, and that dedication, you know, really shaped the reputation of his establishment.

He was known for his very careful approach to making each pizza, making sure every ingredient was just right and that the cooking process was done with great attention. This kind of personal touch is what, arguably, made his pizzas stand out from so many others. He wasn't just making food; he was, in a way, creating an experience for everyone who came through his doors.

His story is one of an immigrant who brought a piece of his homeland’s culinary traditions to a new place and made it his own. He built a business that became a beloved part of its community, and his influence on the world of pizza, you know, is something that many people still talk about with great admiration. His family, of course, continues to carry on the work he started.

What Makes Di Fara Pizza Midwood So Special?

So, what is it about Di Fara Pizza Midwood that makes it so talked about, you know, so special? Well, for one thing, it's the sheer consistency. For more than five decades, this place has been making pizza in the same corner spot, day in and day out. This kind of longevity, this dedication to a single location and a single way of doing things, is something you don't really see very often, actually.

A big part of what sets this pizza apart is the ingredients. The people who make it choose their ingredients with a lot of thought, getting some of the best from different places around the world. This focus on quality, on making sure that what goes into the food is top-notch, is a core belief that has been there from the start. It’s about giving people something that tastes truly good, every single time, you know.

Then there's the way the pizza is put together. For many years, Dom De Marco himself would prepare the pizza by hand. This hands-on approach, using sweet tomato sauce, cheeses brought in from other countries, olive oil that adds a wonderful flavor, and fresh basil leaves, created a taste that people simply fell in love with. The attention to detail, the care put into each step, that's what makes the difference, you know.

The reputation of Di Fara Pizza Midwood also speaks volumes. It has been called one of the best restaurants in Brooklyn, New York, and has received many good reviews on sites like TripAdvisor. Being ranked highly among so many other places in a city known for its food, that, is that, really says something about the quality of what they offer. People come from all over, just to get a taste of this place, basically.

How Did Di Fara Pizza Midwood Become a Local Icon?

Di Fara Pizza Midwood didn't just become a local icon overnight; it was a process that took many years of consistent effort and a clear vision. It started, as we know, with Dom De Marco’s commitment to making pizza in a particular way, using what he believed were the very best components. This dedication to craft, to making something with true care, was, arguably, the foundation of its fame.

The fact that the pizzeria has stayed in the same spot for over fifty years also plays a big part. This kind of permanence creates a sense of history and tradition. People know where to find it, and they know what to expect when they get there. It’s a familiar place, a reliable spot for a good meal, and that, you know, builds a strong connection with the community.

Word of mouth, of course, has been a huge factor. When something tastes truly good, people talk about it. They tell their friends, their family, and soon enough, the word spreads far and wide. The consistent quality of the pizza, the unique taste that comes from the ingredients and the way it’s made, that’s what keeps people coming back and telling others to try it, too it's almost a given.

Media attention has also helped. Stories about the place, reviews from food writers, and even appearances on television shows like Food Network's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate," where Sunny Anderson talked about her favorite Italian dish from Di Fara, a pizza with mushrooms and garlic, have brought it to a wider audience. This kind of recognition, you know, cements its status as a place worth visiting.

Getting Your Own Slice of Di Fara Pizza Midwood

If you're thinking about trying Di Fara Pizza Midwood for yourself, there are a few ways to go about it. The most traditional way, of course, is to visit the pizzeria right there at 1424 Avenue J in Brooklyn. This allows you to experience the atmosphere of the place, which is part of what makes it so special for many people. It’s a chance to see where the magic happens, so to speak.

For those who prefer to eat at home, you can order food online directly from Di Fara Pizza. They offer delivery and takeout options, which makes it pretty convenient. You can place your order and even keep track of it live, so you know when your food will arrive. And, you know, sometimes there's no delivery fee on your first order, which is a nice little bonus.

The menu at the restaurant has always featured classic style pizza, made with what they describe as the highest quality and freshest ingredients. They believe this approach really shows in the taste of the food. So, whether you're getting a round pie, a square pie, a regular slice, or a square slice, you can expect a certain level of care and flavor that has been a hallmark of the place for years, basically.

They also have specific offerings that people really love, like their pepperoni pizza. This pepperoni, it's said, is a legend in its own way. It has slices that curl up and get a bit crispy when cooked, and this quality keeps people coming back for more. They pair it with their special Sunday sauce, a crust that tastes very good, and a blend of bufala mozzarella and parmesan cheese, so you can enjoy that distinct taste no matter where you are, truly.

Can You Find Di Fara Pizza Midwood Beyond Brooklyn?

For a long time, the only way to get a taste of Di Fara Pizza Midwood was to visit their spot in Brooklyn. But now, in a way, the family is working to make Dom’s dream of giving more people a chance to try Di Fara pizza come true. This means that the experience of eating their pizza is no longer limited to just that one corner in Midwood, which is kind of neat.

You can now find Di Fara pizza in grocery stores, which is a pretty big step. This means you can bring the taste of this Brooklyn legend right into your own home. You just need to check the freezer section at your neighborhood grocery store. This expansion allows people who might not be able to visit Brooklyn to still enjoy the flavors that have made this place so famous, you know.

This move to grocery stores is part of a bigger effort to reach more people while still keeping the quality that Di Fara is known for. It’s about sharing a piece of their tradition with a wider audience, which, you know, is something many fans of the pizza are very happy about. It’s a way to keep the spirit of the original place alive, even when you're not physically there.

So, while the original location at 1424 Avenue J remains the heart of Di Fara Pizza Midwood, the availability in grocery stores means that the unique taste and quality are now accessible to more people. This kind of growth, you know, shows how much the family wants to honor Dom’s vision and share their passion for pizza with as many folks as possible.

The Legacy of Di Fara Pizza Midwood

The legacy of Di Fara Pizza Midwood is, in some respects, about more than just pizza; it's about a lasting tradition and the impact of one person’s dedication. The fact that the place has been family owned and operated since 1965 speaks volumes about its roots and the commitment of the people involved. It’s a story of continuity, of passing down a craft from one generation to the next, basically.

After the passing of Dom De Marco, his family stepped up to keep the business going. They are, in a way, running the show now, making sure that the methods and the quality that Dom established continue. This means that the unique taste and the experience that people associate with Di Fara Pizza Midwood are still there, preserved by those who knew Dom best and share his vision, truly.

The pizzeria has been called the best pizza in Brooklyn by many, and this kind of reputation doesn't just happen. It's built on years of making food that people genuinely love and respect. The care taken in preparing classic style pizza with ingredients that are of the highest quality and very fresh, that, is that, is what they believe shows in the final product. It’s a testament to their unwavering standards.

Various groups have visited the place to understand its appeal. For example, host and SPT founder Scott Wiener led a group through a live video tour of the pizzeria, talking to the staff and answering questions. This kind of engagement, you know, shows the deep interest people have in how Di Fara Pizza Midwood operates and what makes it tick. It’s a place that draws people in, wanting to know its story.

The Di Fara Pizza Midwood Experience

Visiting Di Fara Pizza Midwood, for many, is more than just getting a meal; it's an experience in itself. It's about stepping into a place that feels like it has a long history, where the smell of baking dough and fresh ingredients fills the air. People often talk about the atmosphere, which is a big part of what makes the visit memorable, you know.

Journalists and food enthusiasts have often made the trip to taste the pizza and capture the essence of the place. For instance, Luke Fortney, a journalist based in New York City, visited Di Fara Pizza in 2017 to taste what many call NYC's best pizza. He also took many pictures and aimed to give people a look into what he described as a revered institution in Midwood. These kinds of visits, you know, highlight the special nature of the place.

The menu, while focused on pizza, offers distinct choices that cater to different preferences. You can order a plain round pie, which is a classic, or a plain square pie, which offers a different kind of crust and chew. They also have special offerings, like the artichoke pie, which is a round pie with a unique flavor profile. These options, you know, give people a chance to explore the range of what Di Fara offers.

The attention to detail extends to every part of the pizza, from the crust to the toppings. The blend of bufala mozzarella and parmesan cheese, for instance, adds a rich and complex flavor. The Sunday sauce, which they pair with their pepperoni, is also a key component that contributes to the overall taste. It’s all about putting together elements that work really well together to create something truly satisfying, basically.

This article has explored Di Fara Pizza Midwood, a well-known pizzeria in Brooklyn, New York, tracing its beginnings with Domenico "Dom" De Marco in 1965 and its long history in the Midwood neighborhood. It has looked at what makes the pizza stand out, including the careful choice of ingredients and the handmade preparation methods. We also talked about how the family has continued Dom's work, making the pizza available in grocery stores and through online ordering, and the lasting reputation it holds as a highly regarded food spot in Brooklyn.