East Village Pizza in the News
For nearly three decades, East Village Pizza has been covered by local and national media — from Frank Kabatas's own story to viral moments like the 11-cent slice promotion. Here's the coverage.
New York Times
How a Pizzeria Owner With a Million Fans on Instagram Spends His Sundays
Frank Kabatas serves slices to his hungry customers at East Village Pizza while posting videos for his insatiable audience of 1.7 million followers on Instagram.
March 7, 2026
New York Post
All the best Pi Day deals and freebies: Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, more
For one day only, on March 14, East Village Pizza is offering a limited-edition 24K gold-speckled Margherita pizza. The premium offering is a luxurious twist on their best-selling classic.
March 7, 2026
New York Post
I was fired from an NYC pizzeria — now I own the slice joint
When Frank Kabatas first came to the United States in 1997 when he was 23, he'd only ever seen pizza in the movies.
March 7, 2026
Good Morning America
Big ideas for a successful small business
For Small Business Saturday, "GMA" spotlights inspiring stories of entrepreneurship. Plus, tips for small business owners from PR expert Jenna Guarneri.
November 30, 2024
FOX News
Today is National Pepperoni Pizza Day
Frank Kabatas of East Village Pizza shows the 'Fox & Friends' co-hosts how to toss pizza dough to celebrate National Pepperoni Pizza Day.
September 20, 2025
FOX News
How to host the ultimate Super Bowl party?
Lifestyle expert Jene Luciani on what food, beverages you should serve to your guests during Super Bowl Sunday.
February 1, 2019
Timeout New York
Free Slice of Pizza at East Village Pizza
New Yorkers love pizza. New Yorkers love free things. Free pizza? Really, what more could we ask for?
March 7, 2026
NBC New York
The story behind the slice: East Village Pizza
East Village Pizza not only has a great slice, but the owner has a great story. Lauren Scala meets with Frank Kabatas to learn about his journey.
May 15, 2024
PMQ Pizza
Still a Neighborhood Slice Shop: How East Village Pizza Maintains a 4.5 Rating and 1.6 Million Instagram Followers
PMQ Pizza's latest profile looks at how East Village Pizza has kept its neighborhood-slice-shop identity while building a 4.5-star reputation and a massive Instagram following under owner Frank Kabatas.
September 4, 2026
La Gaceta de Nueva York
Celebra San Valentín con pizzas con forma de corazón en el East Village
En Manhattan, East Village Pizza, de Frank Kabatas, ofrece pizzas Margherita, de pepperoni y blancas con esta forma tan amorosa.
March 12, 2026
Pizza Marketplace
East Village Pizza offers heart-shaped pizzas year-round
While some pizza brands offer heart-shaped pizzas for a limited time around Valentine's Day, Manhattan's East Village Pizza offers them year-round, according to company news.
March 12, 2026
Patch
East Village Pizza Joins Lineup of Top-Rated Pizzerias at Dave Portnoy's One Bite Pizza Festival
East Village Pizza, the popular New York-based pizzeria where tradition meets innovation, is pleased to announce it has been selected to participate in Dave Portnoy's third annual One Bite Pizza Festival taking place at Randall's Island Park on September 13, 2025.
March 12, 2026
Patch
East Village Pizza Unveils Limited-Edition 24K Gold Pizza for Pi Day
East Village Pizza, the popular New York-based pizzeria where tradition meets innovation, is taking Pi Day celebrations this year to shimmering heights with an exclusive one-of-a-kind culinary offering: a 24K gold-speckled Margherita Pizza.
March 12, 2026
Pizza Marketplace
Love is in the air (and the oven): Heart-shaped pizzas rise in popularity
Frank Kabatas, owner and operator of East Village Pizza in New York, New York, has been offering heart-shaped pizzas since 2019 and said they were an instant hit.
March 12, 2026
PR Free
East Village Pizza Joins Lineup of Top-Rated Pizzerias at Dave Portnoy's One Bite Pizza Festival
East Village Pizza, the popular New York-based pizzeria where tradition meets innovation, is pleased to announce it has been selected to participate in Dave Portnoy's third annual One Bite Pizza Festival taking place at Randall's Island Park on September 13, 2025.
March 12, 2026
PMQ
His Pizzeria Has 1.7 Million Instagram Followers—Here's What He Sees Others Getting Wrong
For Frank Kabatas, owner of East Village Pizza in New York City, social media isn't a nice-to-have—it's a daily part of running the business. With 1.7 million followers on Instagram alone, he's proof that pizzerias can turn their online presence into a powerful customer funnel.
March 12, 2026
PMQ
Here's How Pizza Brands Nationwide Built Business Around Valentine's Day 2025
Since 2019, New York City's East Village Pizza has offered Margherita, Pepperoni, Cheese and White pies in heart-shaped form for a unique way to share the love with family, friends or significant others on Valentine's Day.
March 12, 2026
Chowhound
Mistakes You're Probably Making With Your Pizza Oven
As a general rule, Frank Kabatas, Owner and Operator of East Village Pizza, told Chowhound that 14 to 17 coals will bring the pizza oven temperature to around 300-325 degrees Fahrenheit, and 23-25 coals will raise it to between 500 and 550 degrees Fahrenheit.
March 7, 2026
PMQ Pizza
Once Fired from the Pizzeria He Now Owns, Frank Kabatas Plans Slice Giveaway August 6
Frank Kabatas started out as a delivery driver in 1997 for East Village Pizza, a renowned landmark pizzeria in New York City. Then, he got fired after just six months on the job. Five years later, he bought the joint—and became one of Manhattan's best-known pizza guys.
March 7, 2026
New York Lifestyle Magazine
ENTREPRENEUR'S CORNER - Frank Kabatas: The Rise Of NYC's Pizza Mogul
Frank Kabatas is the owner of East Village Pizza, a popular New York-based pizzeria where tradition meets innovation. Here is where Frank went from being a delivery driver in 1997, being fired after just six months, to later becoming the pizzeria's owner in 2003, highlighting his passion for the craft and his embodiment of the power of hard work and determination.
March 7, 2026
PIX11
East Village pizza shop to give away free slices
A pizza shop in Manhattan's East Village will give away free slices next week.
March 7, 2026
AMNY
Once fired from the pizzeria he now owns, Frank Kabatas recounts the journey of East Village Pizza
"Everything that I've done so far, it has changed my comfort zone," Kabatas said. "I never had pizza in my life before East Village Pizza — I had a lot of firsts here."
March 7, 2026
PIX11
Celebrate Valentine's Day with heart-shaped pizzas
There's no better way to celebrate Valentine's Day in New York City than sharing a heart-shaped pizza.
March 7, 2026
Spectrum News NY1
An immigrant's journey from delivery driver to pizza business owner
From delivery driver to business owner, Frank Kabatas says his life has come full circle.
October 11, 2024
PIX11
National Cheese Pizza Day with East Village Pizza
It's National Cheese Pizza Day and if you like pizza and you like cheese then you need to get a slice of East Village Pizza's double-stacked cheese pizza! This pizza phenomenon was created by East Village Pizza owner Frank Kabatas.
September 5, 2024
The Necessary Entrepreneur
Frank Kabatas Fired By East Village Pizza, Now He Owns the Business
Frank Kabatas shares the story of how he began working at East Village Pizza in New York City as an immigrant from Turkey, was fired, and now owns the business.
August 30, 2024
FOX5 New York
GDNY 'Best of the Boroughs': NYC pizza
Here are the winners of the best pizza in NYC for the "Best of the Boroughs" contest.
May 17, 2024