Danforth Pizza House celebrates 60 years with festivities and first induction into Toronto’s new Pizza Hall of Fame

Danforth Pizza House, Toronto’s oldest pizzeria serving just pizza, celebrated its 60th anniversary on Nov. 12 with a lively gathering of community members and loyal patrons who enjoyed plenty of fresh slices and treats.

Angelo D’Auria, who immigrated from Italy, opened Danforth Pizza House in 1964, and his original recipes remain on the menu today.

The Manikas family, long-time East York patrons, took over the business in 2014 after Angelo’s passing. While they’ve made renovations, they’ve kept as much of the original restaurant as possible, including the old front window and Angelo’s same delicious and secret recipes.

“The dough is handmade, just like Angelo would make it,” said Elizabeth Manikas. “And we use the best mozzarella you can get.”

The family welcomed many guests including Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher, Deputy Mayor Mike Colle, and Billy Dertilis, Chair of the Danforth Mosaic BIA.

Colle noted that Toronto has more than 800 pizzerias, highlighting their contribution to jobs, economic growth, community vitality, and good food.

As part of the celebration, Fletcher announced plans for a Toronto International Pizza Festival, which will feature a Toronto International Pizza Hall of Fame.

Colle, who is leading efforts to create the city-hosted festival in 2025, presented the Manikas family with a scroll naming them the first inductees into the Hall of Fame.

Customer Bee Palmer expressed her enthusiasm for the pizzeria’s mushroom pizza with white sauce.

“I really love how they do it here. It tastes very yummy,” she said.

Local resident Rocco Zambri, who bought the first pizza from Danforth Pizza House in 1964, was on hand to enjoy the first slice at the celebration.

“It’s still the same … still the same — beautiful!” he said.