Students can soon learn what real New York pizza and authentic Italian food tastes like when a new restaurant opens downtown, a local restaurateur said.
"People in State College don't know what real New York pizza is," said Rosario Turrigiano, who was born in Italy and lived in New York City. "I know New York pizza."
Owner of the more than 20-year-old Sarina's Pizza in Philipsburg, Turrigiano said he plans to open a Sarina's II in State College and hopes bring "some real taste" to the area.
Turrigiano said the actual date Sarina's II will open is unknown, but predicts it will be after inspections and other details are finalized, which should take about a month.
After years of requests from customers, Turrigiano said he plans to open the second branch of his original eatery at 220 W. College Ave. The location is the former home of Jimmy John's, which closed in July.
"I've had a lot of people asking me, 'You should come to State College, you should come to State College,' " Turrigiano said, a pinch of Italian and a large dash of New York accents in his voice.
After years of waiting for the right opportunity, Turrigiano said he decided to take a shot doing Italian his way in State College -- with a heavy emphasis on food, family, familiarity and finance-friendly ways.
Every authentic dish from the original restaurant, including pizzas, specialty entrees and even burgers, will be offered at the same price as the original location. Two people can eat for less than $30, Turrigiano said.
Food quality will also be the same, Turrigiano said: Either Turrigiano himself or his pizza-throwing partner will be on site every day to teach tossing techniques, ensuring what people get in Philipsburg is what they get in State College, he said.
Turrigiano said students will be allowed to work at the restaurant, but it will be done with supervision to ensure the food's best quality and consistency -- he doesn't take his reputation of "authentic Italian cuisine" lightly.
Another authentic Italian quality Turrigiano said he hopes to dish out at the new location is a deep sense of homey comfort, the same atmosphere he strives for in Philipsburg.
"My work is my family, that's really how I see it," he said of the bond he holds with his veteran employees and regular customers. And he's looking forward to meeting new people and extending his "family" in State College, he said.
Turrigiano said the restaurant is named after his mother-in-law's family name -- Sarina.
Margaret Cruz, owner, Margarita's Pizzeria and Italian Cuisine, 222 W. Beaver Ave., said she's not worried about competition from the restaurant.
"I've known that family for years and years," Cruz said. "They are very nice. I'm not worried about the competition at all. Competition is good because it allows people to have variety."
Sarah Boha (senior-English and psychology), who is from New York, said she is looking forward to the opening of Sarina's II.
"To have an authentic Italian restaurant in State College would be a really great asset," she said.
When it opens, Sarina's hours will be from 11 a.m. to at least 11 p.m., seven days a week -- but the eatery may stay open late Thursday nights and weekends to accommodate customers, Turrigiano said.
