The Pizza Guy Who Outsmarted the Algorithm | Anthony Laurino - Phil's Pizzeria & Restaurant

If you think great pizza sells itself, think again. On Staying Hungry, hosts Michael D'Onofrio & Vinny Pappalardo sit down with Anthony Laurino of Phil’s Pizza (Syosset) - the owner who turned a neighborhood pizzeria into a destination brand by treating the internet like his busiest dining room. Smart, fast, and funny, this episode is a playbook for restaurant owners who want lines at the counter and reach on the timeline.

What’s inside (for operators):

How Anthony went from a “roach coach” coffee truck to owning Phil’s - without knowing how to stretch a pie on day one.

The “I’m not Phil” persona and how authentic, repeatable bits become brand assets.

A no-BS social media strategy: timing posts, thinking like your guest, and why experience is greater than food photos.

Turning virality into revenue: specials that move, photo spots that convert, and measuring lift.

Hiring, family ops, and culture that survives a Friday night crush.

Community impact: Long Island Pizza Strong and how giving back grows the whole pie.

Timestamps

00:00 – Cold open: “I’ll never run out of content.”
02:05 – Meet Anthony: from coffee truck routes to his first pizzeria
06:48 – Apprenticeship lessons (and buying a shop before mastering the pie)
12:10 – Why it’s called Phil’s (and the birth of the “I’m not Phil” shirt)
16:30 – Building a family-run operation: roles, trust, and longevity
21:02 – Evolving or disappearing: what 80s operators missed
25:40 – Social media that sells: timing posts, raw stories, and shock value (done right)
32:55 – Viral to visits: specials, set pieces, and turning viewers into guests
38:20 – Staffing buy-in, guest expectations, and handling the “yell at me” crowd
43:07 – Giving back: Pizza Strong, scholarships, and community partnerships
49:11 – Monetization myths: platforms, pitfalls, and why brand is greater than pennies per view
55:26 – Collabs that matter (and when to say no)
1:02:00 – The operator’s mindset: gratitude, boundaries, and doing the right thing
1:07:15 – Closing advice for restaurateurs starting content today

Phil's Pizza of Syosset

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@philspizzasyosset

Website: https://www.philspizzasyosset.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philspizzasyosset

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philspizzasyosset/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/philspizzasyosset/

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