Pizza Joint Hopes Dave Portnoy’s Review Will Put New York-Style Pizza Spot on the Map in Naples

The Slice Shop, a new pizzeria concept developed by Guercio, is getting great traction in Naples and earning some new buzz with its legit New York-style pizza. Slice Shop has over 25 varieties of pizza, such as Margherita, Sicilian-style pies, and artisanal pies. One of the signature pizzas at Slice Shop is The Portnoy, which has a very thin, crispy crust topped with mozzarella, basil, and extra virgin olive oil. The Portnoy pizza was rated 7.9 by Barstool Sports founder and traditional cheese pizza reviewer, Dave Portnoy.

Guercio previously gained national attention in 2023 when he named a pizza after Portnoy at Pizzeria G, his Long Island restaurant. After a customer sent Portnoy a direct message about the pizza, Portnoy made a surprise visit and gave it a positive review. That experience inspired Guercio to create the Slice Shop brand for Naples, choosing a different name to match the location and his long-term branding strategy.

Slice Shop emphasizes quality and authenticity. The restaurant uses a water filtration system and premium Italian flour to recreate the classic flavors of New York pizza. Its menu goes beyond traditional pizzeria fare, featuring sandwiches, salads, small plates, and one dessert, all prepared in a full kitchen located in the back of the shop.

“The response has been wild. They're thanking me for being here, which is cool,” Guercio said. “The buzz is out there. Everyone says it's down season, but we really haven't felt that.”

Portnoy has a residence in Miami, and Guercio expects him to visit Slice Shop soon to review The Portnoy pie. “I know a couple of people who know him, and I heard that he already found out about us, so I think it's a matter of time before he comes in,” he said.

“Most pizzerias have the normal chicken parm sandwiches and pasta with red sauce, but we have an elevated pizzeria menu,” Guercio said. “We have a full kitchen in the back where we do sandwiches, salads, some cool small plates, and, for right now, just one dessert.”

The Guercio family plans to expand with additional Slice Shop locations to grow their presence in Naples.