Famous Luigi’s pizza closes after 70 years

Famous Luigi’s, a pizza parlor that served downtown D.C. for more than 70 years, served its last slice Saturday.

The restaurant, located at 1132 19th St. NW, closed for good so owner Deborah Bruzzo, who has worked in the restaurant for 40 years, can retire and pursue a book about her family and the Famous Luigi’s experience.

Deborah Bruzzo and her brother, Corrado Bruzzo Jr., have been involved with the restaurant for decades. Their parents had run the business since 1961, when they took it over from Bruzzo’s uncle, Luigi Calvi. Calvi opened the pizzeria in 1943.

The family isn’t getting out of the restaurant business entirely. Deborah Bruzzo’s husband and daughter opened Osteria Marzano in Alexandria earlier this year.

Osteria Marzano offers brick oven pizza, along with homemade pastas, entrees and a range of Italian tapas-style shared plates at the bar.

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