Our Story
In 1987, a man from a small village in Greece
opened a pizza shop in Coventry, Rhode Island.
Santoro's Pizza is a family-owned pizzeria at 687 Tiogue Avenue in Coventry, Rhode Island. Founded in 1987 by Greek immigrant Ioannis “John” Labrakis, it is now run by his children Nicholas and Deanna. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM, the menu spans hand-stretched pizza, grinders, pasta, seafood, and Greek classics including gyros and baklava.
The Founder
Ioannis "John" Labrakis was born in Pera Melana, Greece. He came to America with a dream and opened Santoro's Pizza at 687 Tiogue Avenue. For thirty-six years, John worked seventy hours a week — stretching dough, perfecting his sauce, and building a home for the community.
A Coventry Institution
The kind of place where everyone knows your name, and the portions are always generous. John built something more than a restaurant — a gathering place where families grew up, celebrated, and found comfort in a consistent, generous meal.
He was willing to give the shirt off his back to anyone in need.The Coventry Community
A Sudden Goodbye
On March 23, 2023, the Coventry community lost John suddenly and unexpectedly. The man who had spent nearly four decades behind the counter — who knew every regular by name, who never missed a day — was gone. But his legacy was never just about pizza. It was about love, consistency, and showing up every single day.
The Next Chapter
Twenty-six days after his father's funeral, Nicholas unlocked the door at 687 Tiogue Avenue. He had left his pharmaceutical career in Boston the week before. Deanna stepped up alongside him. On April 18, 2023, the doors of Santoro's opened again — this time with John's children carrying the torch. The recipes haven't changed. The dough is still hand-stretched. The sauce is still John's.
Carrying the Torch
What has changed is a quiet promise between two siblings: to honor their father's dream by making it even better. Same recipes. Same love. A new generation dedicated to the community John built.
You can tell they put love into every slice.Tyisha H. — DoorDash
