In June, Jack Whittle posted a photo on Facebook’s “Old Photos From the Westport of Our Youth” page.
He added a simple caption: “If you know, you know.”
Westporters knew.
Over 300 of them commented on this shot of Mel Mioli.
And — at a time when we argue about everything, and anyone with a keyboard can say anything they want — every comment was positive.
Actually, they were more than that. The comments about Mel, his brother Joe, and their long-lived and much loved Westport Pizzeria, were heartfelt.
Many were grateful. Some — recalling the inexpensive pizza slices, no-nonsense toppings, and the owners’ generous, community spirit — were positively orgasmic.
Westport Pizzeria — as simply named as its décor — may not have been Westport’s first pizza place.
But — in an era when literally dozens of restaurants sell pizzas, in every style from New York to California, Chicago to Detroit, and with far more topping choices than Heinz has ketchup varieties — Westport Pizzeria remains numero uno in the hearts of anyone who remembers it.
Westport Pizzeria on Main Street. This photo could have been taken in 1968, or 2008.
Westport Pizzeria opened on Main Street in 1968. 46 years later — in 2014 — when their lease was not renewed, they moved to Post Road East, across from Design Within Reach.
On January 11, 2020, they sold their last slice.
If you know, you know.
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If I had 5 dollars for every time I had pizza there, I’d be richer than Elon Musk and Bill Gates combined! People who know me know I never, ever exaggerate!!!
The 1968 opening coincides with the preteen age when I was free to ride my stingray bike as far and as long as my legs would take me. Westport Pizzeria, Fran’s in Saugatuck and a few other places where the couple of bucks I made delivering papers, mowing lawns, shoveling snow or running my dinghy service after hours at the yacht basin provided good eats!
Walk down Main Street & grab a slice. Sit on the barstool and hold up a peace sign. Your 2 slices are ready. THE BEST ‼️🇺🇸
I know! And am one of the very grateful!! Thnx for sharing this!
Walk there from Bedford JHS (Riverside Ave) twenty five cent slice and fifteen cent Coke. The best days. Glad my kids got to know Mel and Joe..
Second to none pizza and killer meatball subs!!
The response to this simple post was indeed surprising to me, although maybe I shouldn’t have been so surprised after all – like many, I grew up on Westport Pizzeria pizza, and my kids did too (we had a standing Saturday night dinner there). They grew up knowing Mel, and his wife Carrie, and Joe too from his frequent visits, and Jacques, and Jamie, – like family. The very best of Westport was represented by that little pizzeria and the memories created there.
The best pizza! Delicious!
We miss them so much!
Placemats had a map and Mel would show us where in Italy his extended family lived. Miss them…heart and soul of our town for sure.
I still have a pizza box and t shirt I got when they closed. I LOVED Westport Pizzeria across from Bill’s Smoke Shop on Main Street with the back entrance!
Diana, did you know that the original Bills Smoke shop was in the space that became Westport Pizza?
I know! and I mIss him and them!
We were walking on Main Street last week and our daughter Izzy said “I miss Westport Pizzeria”…it was our family favorite for so many years.
Mel and joe are wondering it’s rely good they are back downtown I miss Westport pizza and seeing them every day they are wonderful people from main st to post road
Awww love this pic! Amazing how a picture can bring a smile and warm the heart. So thankful the memories we and especially our kids have of walking to town, ordering up a slice or two with some Italian ice and hanging out with the crew. The best!
I ran into Mel on the street this summer. He looked great! We chatted and hugged. Love seeing a beloved neighbor any day!
My neighbors for many many years. My kids grew up with the Mioli boys. Friends for life!
Mary Jo Fusaro
When my daughter was about 3 or 4 she loved going there. Mel used to say he knew exactly how warm to make it for her and he did! Wonderful people!
numero uno is right . To me, Westport has never been the same since they left Main Street. Before we decided to move here, Bill and I sat at their counter with our then 2 year old son Jon and started schmoozing with Mel and Joe. This was 1989. I said, if we move here, will you give Jon a job when he’s 16? Joe said , “of course”. Never one to break a promise, 14 years later, as soon as Jon got his license to drive, he was off delivering pizzas to the town .
We love all the Miolis. We miss the pizza, and we miss their presence on Main Street. Sending love to the families.