Tina Casale, owner of The Astarita Pizza in Brooklyn, grew up in a pizzeria — literally. “My father and my mom owned pizza restaurants my whole life,” she says. “We were there all day with them because they didn’t have babysitters.” From making boxes to rolling dough, she was immersed in the business early on.
That experience laid the foundation for her own shop, where she’s built something she always dreamed of: a welcoming, affordable place for families to share a great meal. “I love pizza — I could have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” she laughs. “I wanted to create a place where people can come, eat, and enjoy their time together without it being so expensive.”
To keep quality high and waste low, she sticks to a small menu, shareable portions, and fresh ingredients. For Tina, it all comes back to her community.