Lou Bevilacqua and Al Carapella recently opened FishHawk Pizza, where people can satisfy their craving for New York style pizza
Huge slices of pizza, calzones filled with melted cheese and toppings, wings smothered in a choice of different sauces, a variety of different salads, subs and Philly steaks. All of these delicacies and more can be found for unbeatable prices at FishHawk Pizza, newly open in the plaza at FishHawk Blvd. and Osprey Ridge Dr. adjacent to the Valrico State Bank in Lithia.
Al Carapella, a 30-year Valrico resident and owner of Bloomingdale Pizza, had been looking to expand to the FishHawk area and the opportunity came when the building, formerly housing Scigliano’s Market, became available. Carapella and partner and friend, Lou Bevilacqua, jumped at the chance.
“Lou and I had been looking to come out and cater to the FishHawk area for a while,” said Carapella. “When the opportunity came along, we decided to come down here and take advantage of it.”
Though it has only been open a few weeks, the community has flocked to the restaurant to get a taste of their favorite Italian dinners and satisfy their craving for authentic New York style pizza. “Things have been excellent so far,” said Carapella. “It’s been a great reception.”
He continued, “We have a little something for everyone. We’ve got great dinners like chicken and eggplant parm and our wings are a big hit. It’s really up to what people are looking for that day. They can also come in and buy by the slice.” FishHawk Pizza has specials like $1 drafts all day, every day and is available for catering.
Outside of the restaurant, Carapella is also actively involved in the community with little leagues and soccer leagues. He also invites groups for tours of the restaurant, where the kids can make their own pizzas at the end of the tour. “I want this to be a place where the community loves to come and bring their sports teams for lunch of dinner after games,” he said.
FishHawk Pizza is located at 15260 FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia. Hours are Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. For more information or to place an order, call 685-4646. For more information on catering, visit www.bloomingdalepizza.com. The restaurant will soon launch its Website, www.fishhawkpizzeria.com.
