Why are tourists from around the world traveling to this hidden Staten Island pizza shop?

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — All eyes are on Staten Island with Netflix’s release of "Nonnas," featuring Enoteca Maria in St. George. And we natives can tick off pizzerias rated by Dave Portnoy or glammed up for Hollywood productions. But one East Shore pizza joint has become beloved among international tourists for its classic New York slices — Rosebank Pizza with the stars of the show as owners Al and Gino Melani.

The small parlor was featured in the “King of Staten Island” with the borough’s own Pete Davidson. His photo with Al’s son hangs proudly above the double-deck oven. Al recounts an entire day of filming resulted in a precious few minutes of screen time. Although the cameo has brought a bit of enduring fame for the restaurant.

Rosebank Pizza’s classic parlor look comes from four booths and, of course, from the pies themselves. From the time the business opens at 10 a.m., the display case is stocked one variety at a time. The result is a smorgasbord of options by the slice — pepperoni, barbecue chicken, vodka, salad pie, Grandma, Sicilian, L&B “upside down,” white, cheesesteak plus assorted stuffed rolls and zeppole.

The cousins say that between the U.S. Coast Guard base, The Navy Lodge and scenic Fort Wadsworth itself, visitors from around the world have become a robust part of their walk-in trade. Also tourists headed from the Staten Island Ferry to scenic Fort Wadsworth make Rosebank Pizza a convenient pitstop and recommendation to future travelers.

This isn’t the Melanis’ first restaurant rodeo.

In the early 1990s Al made pies for Scotto’s formerly located at the Staten Island Mall, then earned his own franchised location in Marion, Ill. He established Famous Pizza on Jersey Street as its first owner, then a busy parlor at Lexington Ave. and East 33rd Street. Now, he is delighted with his niche in Rosebank, a spot he came to in 2013.

Gino ran Arthur Treachers at the Mall and a Bay Ridge pizzeria. He eventually operated Bella Roma at Third Avenue and 79th Street.

At his Upper East Side business, he recalled, “I would count 92 people an hour who passed by.”

The pandemic severely impacted the store and he eventually joined Al to help him at Rosebank Pizza. Now, with four tables constantly turning over, the extra hands are appreciated.

For history buffs and those who regularly ride down Bay Street from the Fort, the S51 bus (the S2 for we lifers in the borough) is a nod to Staten Island transportation history. Its route replaced a trolley that ran up and down the corridor from the early 1900s through 1937, with a spur right in front of Von Brieson Park.

For those who partake at Rosebank Pizza, the destination at 1372 Bay Street is a memorable destination for a real New York slice and a taste of Staten Island history.

Pamela Silvestri is Advance/Silive.com Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.