For the past three decades, Ray Bari Pizza has been one of the most recognized names in New York City. The founder and president, Ray Bari, started this business on March 1, 1973, with only $10,000 and a dream to make something that people had never tasted before—truly great pizza.

He accomplished this with quality food and upstanding customer service.

“You come into the pizzeria and you’re one of the family,” says Ray. “It’s a family business and we want our customers to feel that way too.”

This “family” has grown from a single pizzeria to the largest in New York City. Ray Bari is a household name that New Yorkers equate with great pizza.

“We were voted best pizzeria for 10 years in a row,” says Ray. “We have a regular clientele that keeps coming back, year after year, that says something.”

So makes Ray Bari pizza so unique?

“It’s in the way the pizza is made,” says Ray. “A family recipe passed down by my mother, from Sicily. Every year the women in the village would gather and make this special pizza, called the Sfincione. I brought it to America, added excellent customer service, and good quality ingredients. We are never short on the ingredients; always fresh, always good.”

And they keep coming back. The popularity of Ray Bari has embedded itself into New York culture, so much so, that a large legal battle ensued over the name of the famous pizzeria.

“There are spin-offs of Ray Bari,” says Ray. “But they are not the same. All you have to do is taste the difference.”

While the legal battles raged on, New Yorkers continued to flock to the pizzeria they knew to be the best; Ray Bari’s.

“Sure you can get cheap pizza anywhere in New York,” says Ray. “But if you want the best, you come to us.”

And it’s not just New Yorkers who know the secret.

“People will come for miles just to grab a slice and a soda,” says Ray. “We’re known from coast to coast. They just can’t get enough of Ray Bari pizza.”

This includes film stars, radio show hosts, and television. The walls of Ray Bari are covered in autographed photos of celebrities thanking their favorite pizza joint. Ray Bari has been featured on the Food Network, Travel Channel and even the TV show Friends. Remember the pizza boxes lying around Rachel’s apartment? That’s Ray Bari!

The fact that Warner Bros uses Ray Bari pizza boxes as a popular prop in movies and television shows how much the name and the pizza are here to stay.

But Ray Bari’s is more than a successful pizzeria; it’s a philosophy and a way of life.

Ray Bari has been actively involved with the MS Society for many years by sponsoring the MS Society Bike Tour and hosting an annual summer fundraising event. Ray Bari also donated food to the rescue workers during the 9-11 crises; receiving a commemoration from the mayor of New York.

“I think it’s important to give back to the community you’re part of,” says Ray. “That’s what makes us unique, we’re more than a business, we’re a family. Everyone who works for Ray Bari is part of that.”

And family it is; 36 years of great pizza, loyal customers, and excellent customer service. That’s what makes Ray Bari Pizza a New York Icon. A name synonymous with great taste and quality. New York and pizza; there’s only one name, Ray Bari.