Empire Pizza is coming soon to 688 Mission St. in San Francisco, according to multiple pending liquor licenses found in public records. The new pizza spot is cropping up next to The Grove who, as it turns out, will be who we have to thank for the New York-style pizza that the Yerba Buena neighborhood is about to enjoy.
That’s because Empire Pizza is brought to us by The Grove owners Kenneth and Anna Zankel, who look forward to debuting the new concept this summer. “The atmosphere is going to be old school with some New York edge and grit,” Kenneth tells San Francisco Business Times.
Inspired by the pizza that Ken grew up with in the Bronx and over the years in Manhattan, the Zankels went on a mission in New York sampling various slices, breaking each one down to find out what makes the perfect slice. Empire Pizza is taking over the former Pizzeria Delfina, whose expert chef Brandon Wells has been brought on to lead the kitchen.
Empire Pizza will open for takeout at the end of June. The Zankels expect construction to complete by August, when they will open the space for indoor dining. Stay tuned.
