Albanian Man Escapes Communism to Build American Dream out of Pizza
NU Newsmedia
PHOENIX – Nine hundred. That’s how many pizzas Patriot and Armand Skudrinja of Don’s NY Pizza make each week in their spartan yet charming little pizza shop in west Phoenix. Since 2016, Don’s has been serving the west valley with fresh and authentic Neapolitan New York style pizza that tastes straight out of ‘Strong Island’.
Located just a short drive from State Farm Stadium, the brothers serve up over 130 pizzas a day, the weekends being their busiest. Their pepperoni pizza and wings are their most popular items on the menu. “It’s always pepperoni, even in Italy, pepperoni… it’s top of the line,” says Patriot, but they also serve up some mean calzones, chicken and pasta dishes, and hot and cold subs too.
Originally from Albania, Patriot served two years in the army, and had received a re-enlistment notice from the communist-led government (forced conscription if we are being honest). As the threat of war loomed on the Balkan Peninsula, he escaped his homeland to Italy in search of a life free of conflict and war.
Once in Italy, Patriot learned the trade of a pizzaiolo, learning traditional Neapolitan techniques from his mentor and friend Pasquale. In 2002, Patriot immigrated to the United States, finding his way to Buffalo, where he perfected his trade in his brother Armand’s pizza shop. It’s also why they make some killer wings.
Patriot and Armand made their way to Arizona in 2013, eventually opening Don’s NY Pizza in Peoria. This venture was so successful, Patriot decided to open a second shop in west Phoenix in 2016. Patriot sold that first shop a few years ago and now operates this second shop exclusively with his brother Armand. He lives the American dream.
“Being from Long Island, I am always skeptical when an Arizona pizzeria claims to have NY pizza. Don's does,” says Deborah Holland, a satisfied customer of Don’s.
“It's the closest thing to a (New York style) pie I've had out here”, says Dennis Clark, another satisfied customer. “This is as good as it gets if you grew up in (the New York area),” he adds.
What’s Patriot’s trade secret to success? “Fresh dough, fresh sauce we make it every day, and good cheese,” he says. “You need to pay (for good ingredients),” he adds. Their cheese is perfectly salty, the crust is both crunchy and chewy, and the sauce has a hint of sweetness - everything you’d expect in an authentic pie.
Patriot’s passion for pizza is apparent. He enjoys satisfying his customers. He sees his business “like your son, you see (them) growing up,” he explains. “It’s not about money. In pizza you (are) not going to make big money. If you want to make money you (are) in (the) wrong business, (but) it’s an honest job. America is special. Here you have opportunity.”
His biggest challenge (other than finding workers in this tight economy) is English. It is a real barrier to operating his business when dealing with suppliers and sometimes customers, but it’s also what makes his experience unique and authentic.
Despite this challenge, Patriot puts the hours in to make his business successful. He starts his day around 8 a.m. and closes around 9 p.m. almost daily. He shares this responsibility with his family, mainly his son Milot and brother Armand. “You need to bring (in) your family if you want to (be successful); we are always working,” he says.
“Not a lot of people can really (build what he built). (Our family) was broke; they had nothing. (My dad) is just the hardest worker… he provides for (the entire family),” adds Milot.
One bite and you will see for yourself, these pies are a culmination of a three-decade-long pizzamaker’s journey. Find this neighborhood gem at 9971 West Camelback Road, in the Home Depot plaza, or on Yelp or Google with an above 4-star rating.
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