Another Tony's Pizza for the East Village, this one for the former Vinny Vincenz space

A coming soon banner for Tony's Pizza now hangs on the front of 231 First Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street. (Thanks to Steven for the pic!)

Tony's will be taking over the space from Vinny Vincenz, the 18-year-old pizzeria that quietly closed last month — much to the dismay of its regulars.

And this marks the second Tony's Pizza to be arriving in the East Village ... signage showed up outside 128 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place earlier this month... 

This outpost is taking over from another pizzeria — Nolita Pizza left last June after a year for a newer outpost down on Kenmare Street.

Still no word about who this Tony might be. There was some speculation (or perhaps hope?) that this might be related to the Tony's out on Graham Avenue in East Williamsburg, though the logos don't match up. (We messaged them to ask anyway.) 

Vinny Vincenz Pizza has closed

We started hearing reader reports late last week that the venerable Vinny Vincenz, the 18-year-old pizzeria at 231 First Ave., was closed during usual business hours.

By Friday, a for rent sign had arrived on the storefront here between 13th Street and 14th Street. (Thank you to food writer Nick Solares for the photo.) 

There's no mention of a closure on the pizzeria's lightly used Instagram account. 

Vinny Vincenz had stared down the competition during the Great $1 Pizza War of First Avenue in 2013-14, which saw multiple sidewalk sandwich boards … the introduction of $1 drafts… and dancing pizza menu women.

The place served a good slice and offered other pizzeria staples. This marks the second old-school pizzeria casualty over here... as Muzzarella on Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street shut down last year. 

[Updated: They are back open] DOH temporarily closes Vinny Vincenz on First Avenue

Ugh. Crazy Eddie passes along word that the DOH temporarily closed EVG favorite Vinny Vincenz this afternoon.

The pizzeria near East 14th Street was carrying an A rating. Inspectors handed out just 13 violation points during their last visit on Oct. 10. Among the infractions: "'Wash hands' sign not posted at hand wash facility."

The DOH has not updated its website with the record of today's visit.

The 10-year-old Vinny Vincenz is currently in a $1 pizza battle with its new neighbors, 2 Bros.

First Avenue $1 Pizza Wars — now with draft beer

@evgrieve $1 #Pizza wars on First Ave. Vinny Vincenz holding the lead with bigger signage and draft beer. twitter.com/tenementcity/s…

— Tenement City (@tenementcity) March 14, 2013

Indeed. Go Vinny's!: 2 slices AND a draft beer for $5.

Previously.


[Dave on 7th]

Checking in on the $1 pizza war on First Avenue

Speaking of pizza... The third East Village 2 Bros. Pizza location opened on First Avenue near East 14th Street on Feb. 15 ... Flashback!



The sign battle has escalated here as this photo by Dave on 7th shows...



The 10-year-old Vinny Vincenz certainly has the advantage, serving a variety of homemade items (eggplant parmesan hero, woot!).

Per Eater's Greg Morabito: "The regular $2.50 slice is easily three or four times better than one of those crummy pieces of wet cardboard served at 2 Bros., or at any of the other dollar slice joints in the area."

2 Bros. Pizza now open on First Avenue

[Photos via AC]

The 2 Bros. Pizza location on First Avenue near East 14th Street opened today... and let the $1 pizza wars begin...



Eater's Greg Morabito put it this way the other day: "But really, there should be no competition here: Vinny Vincenz serves one of Downtown Manhattan's best utilitarian slices. The regular $2.50 slice is easily three or four times better than one of those crummy pieces of wet cardboard served at 2 Bros., or at any of the other dollar slice joints in the area."

Agree?

Previously.