Santillo's Brick Oven Pizza is getting closer to reopening since the devastating fire in January. It destroyed the business's signature 200-square-foot brick oven.
Over the weekend, Barstool Sports “El Presidente” Dave Portnoy hosted his One Bite Pizza Fest at Randall’s Island Park. Santillo got a special announcement on stage.
"By the way, shoutout to Al Santillo. One of the legendary pizza guys in the world, Elizabeth New Jersey. His shop burnt down," said Portnoy. "Every cent is going to Al to rebuild his shop."
"That guy is like the real El Presidente, he goes around on a morale boosting tour," said Santillo.
"My energy is coming back. I can't wait to get back in," said Santillo. "I'm not leaving.”
Santillo hopes to reopen by Christmas.