History
Founded in 1914 by Eugenio Brullino, a determined immigrant from Naples, Italy, O’Scugnizzo Pizzeria has become synonymous with quality, consistency, and the unique flavors of Utica.
Eugenio Brullino arrived in America in 1913 on the Canopic to Boston, Massachusetts, from Naples at the age of 25. Settling in Utica with his wife Maria, he began his American journey as a pastry chef. To supplement their household income, Maria would prepare little tomato pies, which Eugenio sold at church feasts each weekend. The name “O’Scugnizzo” comes from Naples, which was a slang term used for street urchin’s looking for a day’s work.
When he decided to open his pizzeria in 1914, it was this term that became the trade name, a legacy that would endure for generations.
Throughout the years, O’Scugnizzo Pizzeria has been a cornerstone of the Utica community, with four different locations, each deeply rooted in the city’s fabric. The current and longest-standing location at 614 Bleecker Street has been the pizzeria’s home since the 1960s.
After Eugenio’s unexpected passing on May 26, 1958, at the age of 69, his son Angelo “Chops” Burline took over the family business. Under Angelo’s leadership, O’Scugnizzo Pizzeria flourished. He expanded the menu, pioneered new ideas like a pizza food truck and jarred sauces, and embraced advertising to grow the business’s reach. Angelo, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in both World War II and the Korean War, was a visionary who ensured the family’s culinary legacy would thrive.
Angelo operated O’Scugnizzo Pizzeria until his passing in 1989, when his son, Steven Burline, took the reins. Together, with his brother Michael, the pizzeria has continued to honor the original recipes and traditions that have kept customers coming back for over a century. From the handmade pizza shells and fresh sausage to the signature sauce, everything is prepared daily in the bakery using Eugenio’s original recipes.
Today, O’Scugnizzo Pizzeria’s reputation extends far beyond Utica, with their iconic pizzas being shipped across the country. Despite the challenges of rising food costs, the Burline family remains committed to maintaining the quality and consistency by using the original recipes that have been the hallmark of their success for 110 years.
As O’Scugnizzo Pizzeria celebrates this significant milestone, the Burline family extends their heartfelt thanks to the community and customers who have supported them throughout the decades and look forward to meeting new customers by serving a fresh pie from the oven. Here’s to 110 years of delicious memories, and many more to come!
