Seeing double on St. Mark's Place: There are now two 2 Bros

As we first reported on Jan. 3, Totale Pizza on St. Mark's Place near Second Avenue closed... the owners also run the successful 2 Bros a few doors away...

Well, the former Totale space is now another 2 Bros...

Meanwhile, the other location on the block remains open...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Upscale slices for the former Totale space?

Upscale slices for the former Totale space?

Totale Pizza on St. Mark's Place near Second Avenue has been closed of late...

Last May!



Workers have been renovating the space that specialized in Neapolitan-style pizza ... and a tipster reports that this will become a more upscale, quick-slice joint to complement 2 Bros up the street...

Totale Pizza looking closed on St. Mark's Place

Totale Pizza opened on St. Mark's Place near Second Avenue back in May... The place has been looking a little closed of late...



Maybe just some slow-week renovations? Anyway, I rarely see anyone inside here, though I heard the pizza is quite tasty .... The owners are also behind the cheapo 2 Bros up the street...

Empire Pizza opens on First Avenue

At the former Village Restaurant and Pizza joint on First Avenue near Second Street. It's now the second outpost of Empire Pizza, whose other shop is at 314 Fifth Ave. at 32nd Street.

Anyone try the pizza yet?

An Empire (Pizza) grows on First Avenue

The Village Restaurant and Pizza joint on First Avenue near Second Street closed in October...



It's now the second outpost of Empire Pizza, whose other shop is at 314 Fifth Ave. at 32nd Street.

Not such a "New Deal:" FDR pizza and 99-cent slices opening on Second Street

Another inexpensive pizza option in the East Village....at the site of the barber shop that closed last summer just a little east of Avenue A...

More on the new First Avenue Papa John's, sort of

[Top photo by First Avenue correspondent Blue Glass]

As I exclusively reported last night.... Papa John's is now open on First Avenue...



I went looking for more info on the opening... like something official from the Papa Johnsters... I did come across this article from last month on PizzaMarketplace.com:

Papa John's to open in crowded East Village space

Popular New York blog EV Grieve [Editor's note: Woo!] has reported that a Papa John's storefront has appeared on First Avenue in an area of New York City's East Village that's especially pizza-dense. Back in March, the blog reported several pizza restaurants — such asLuzzo's, Motorino, Piola, Tonda, and more — having recently opened.

With all the local pizza concentration, Papa John’s may be looking to appeal to tourists looking for something recognizable in the famous New York enclave. Papa John’s spokesperson Tish Muldoon said the company sees the location as "a great growth opportunity for the brand in Manhattan." However, anecdotal commentary on the new storefront did not appear favorable toward the No. 3 pizza chain.

Meanwhile, no word if this is how pizzas will be delivered hereabouts:



Previous coverage here.

Breaking! Papa John's now open on First Avenue

And there were a handful of high school students inside... There will be much more on this developing story with our live team coverage the next 96 hours.

Previous coverage here.

Papa John's is such a tease

Still no official word yet on Opening Day here on First Avenue between 12th Street and 13th Street.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Papa John's shows off its big, green awning; plus, reader reaction!

And now, a daytime shot of the incoming Papa John's

Courtesy of EV Grieve First Avenue correspondent Blue Glass.

On First Avenue between 12th Street and 13th Street.

Previously.

Papa John's invades First Avenue

Well, the cabbie-favorite Medina on First Avenue between 12th Street and 13th Street shuttered back in April...



...and now, a Papa John's is opening in the space at 120 First Ave.



[author unsure of what to write now]

South Brooklyn continues East Village invasion

Eater is reporting that South Brooklyn Pizza is taking over the Ruben's space on First Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's. This should not make the neighbors happy.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumors!: Will PJ Hanley's be opening a pizza shop on First Avenue?

A Stop Work Order for the P.J. Hanley's pizza parlor on First Avenue

Opposition to South Brooklyn Pizza's liquor license

[Photo via Eater]

Opposition to South Brooklyn Pizza's liquor license

South Brooklyn Pizza opened in April at 122 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place... they go before the SLA today for a liquor license... and as this sign shows on First Avenue, there's opposition...



I haven't tried this pizza yet... A reader passed along his or her experience:

A guy who works very hard selling a $4 slice in a neighborhood that buys $1 slices and $2 Falafel complains to another worker about how hard he works to sell the pizza and it isn't even his place. While the cheese is good (although a little too subtle), and the crust thin and crisp, the flavor is underwhelming. The first-class ingredients could use a little kick-up. I don't plan to spend $4 there again.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumors!: Will PJ Hanley's be opening a pizza shop on First Avenue?

A Stop Work Order for the P.J. Hanley's pizza parlor on First Avenue

A pizza empire grows on St. Mark's Place

On Monday, we pointed out that Totale Pizza (brick oven!) opened on St. Mark's Place just a few doors from the cheapza at 2 Bros ...



Well! Grub Street's Daniel Maurer has the details ... he reports that "the improbably elegant digs are the handiwork of Eli Halali, who owns 2 Bros. a couple of doors down with his brother." Read more here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Another pizza place for St. Mark's Place

Another pizza place for St. Mark's Place

Back in November, the Surf City smoothie shop shuttered on St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.... and now, after a few delays, it's now a brick-oven pizza place called Totale Pizza....per the sign, looks like some kind of $5.75 deal going on...



Perhaps a less skateboard-friendly alternative to 2 Brothers a few doors to the west...

Noted

Wild palms and pizza

Earlier today, we noted that Pomodoro Pizza will be opening this weekend in part of the former Dunkin' Donuts space on Second Avenue...

Well, the weekend must mean today: It's now open for business... Just look for the palm trees...

Pomodora Pizza coming this weekend

As Jeremiah first reported, a pizza place is taking over part of the former Dunkin' Donuts space on Second Avenue... signs are up... and the place is expected to be open for the weekend with sidewalk seating...



...with sidewalk seating...

Disarmed and dangerous on Avenue B: Pizza statue maimed

Meanwhile, across Avenue B, we recently noticed that the Finest Pizza and Deli guy at the corner of Fourth Street was missing a few things, such as his sign and right thumb...



And Saturday night, an EV Grieve reader passed by only to discover that his right arm was torn off by some vandals...



...and discarded a short distance away...

Cafe Brama becoming pizzeria

On Saturday, workers were inside the former Cafe Brama on Second Avenue near 10th Street. A source there said new owners were opening a pizzeria ... with an anticipted late-May opening.

On Sunday, the clean out continued. And the new owners were selling a few old Cafe Brama items to interested passersby...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Cafe Brama closes