FOOD & DRINK
I’ll admit it—I wasn’t just hungry when I walked into Stango’s Pizza for the first time—I was curious.
This wasn’t just another pizza joint; it was a piece of San Angelo history reinvented.
The new location on South Oaks Street, which opened last October, sits right next door to the historic Sealy Flats Bed and Breakfast, a building that’s been around since 1908.
That alone gave me the sense that I was about to experience something special.
A Little Background
Stango’s itself has a story worth savoring.
Back in 2016, it opened just one-block over, on South Chadbourne Street—but back then, pizza wasn’t the headliner.
That Stango’s was more of a coffee shop, ice cream parlor, and souvenir stop, with pizza playing a quiet supporting role.
Fast forward to today, and pizza has taken center stage in a big way.
The building housing the new Stango’s first opened in 1940 and has worn many hats over the decades, functioning as three different downtown businesses before Steve Stango and Jennifer Addona brought it all together under one roof.
And what a roof it is. The moment I stepped inside, I felt like I’d entered a living museum of American culture.
The décor pays homage to early blues music, and the walls are lined with memorabilia from every decade since the ’40s through the ’80s.
It’s the kind of place where you can eat a slice while soaking in stories from the past. I was totally unaware that there was a large back patio space for seating and live music stage.
Steve and Jennifer told me they are always looking for willing musicians to come by and play away for the locals.
You Talkin’ Pizza to Me?
Speaking of slices—let’s talk pizza.
Steve and Jennifer aren’t just business partners; they’re lifelong pizza enthusiasts with roots in Waterbury, Connecticut, just a few hours north of New York City.
Both of Italian heritage, they grew up surrounded by family-run pizza shops—Steve’s uncle and Jennifer’s cousin both ran successful spots in the Waterbury area for decades. For them, pizza isn’t just food; it’s nostalgia, tradition, and pride.
That passion shows in every detail, from sourcing the best ingredients to sticking to authentic recipes.
The result? A true New York-style pizza that’s as bold as it is beautiful.
A 16-inch pie comes in just four massive slices, each one a meal in itself.
When my pizza arrived on the table, I couldn’t help but smile. The aroma alone was one that took me right back to every Italian pizza parlor I sat in while living in Italy in 2019.
The crust was perfectly crisp yet chewy, the sauce tangy and rich, and the cheese—oh, the cheese! —stretching like a dream with every bite.
It was the kind of pizza that makes you pause, close your eyes, and savor the moment.
Bolstered by sliced jalapeno, pepperoni and Italian sausage, “The Stango Special” is a pie you truly should try.
Oh, and get this! Even the giant cookies on display in the case at the counter are made in house as well!
As I walked around there, surrounded by echoes of blues legends and decades of history, I realized Stango’s isn’t just about great pizza. It’s about connections—between past and present, between tradition and innovation, and between the owners’ roots and the community they now serve.
If you’re in San Angelo and haven’t been to Stango’s yet, trust me: go.
Come hungry, stay curious, and prepare to experience a slice of history—served New York style.
A Few Words from Mr. Stango
After meeting and speaking with Steve Stango, I got some amazing insights into the business operations and roots of this local institution. I want you to hear it right from them:
After owning and running the former Stango’s coffee and ice cream shop downtown since 2016, what led you to close that location and open the doors in this new location? Was that always the plan?
I actually closed the original downtown location mainly because of COVID. Business dropped, and I figured it might be a good time to relax, so I sold the building—which is now Texas Angels Boutique. But relaxing didn’t last long; I got bored pretty fast. I already owned the building we’re in now and brought up the idea of opening again, but this time focusing only on pizza instead of the full coffee and ice cream shop. It wasn’t really the plan from the start—it just happened naturally.
Why the hearse? What is the story behind that part of your brand/logo?
I am a car guy and when I bought the hearse it seemed like a good fit for our theme “Pizza to die for.” It’s meant to be funny—the idea is that the pizza is so good, you would die for a slice. It’s just my quirky sense of humor and something people remember.
You are a NY style/theme pizza parlor. Why NY style? More so since you’re both Italian. Is there any Italian influence on your pizza?
NY-style is what I grew up with. Jen and I are from Connecticut, so that big, foldable, thin-crust slice is what good pizza always meant to us. And yes—we’re both Italian, so we definitely know and appreciate real pizza. That absolutely shows up in how we make our dough, sauce, and overall approach.
What is it about a pie from Stango’s that’s different from other places in town that specialize in pizza?
We try to stay as true to NY-style as possible. Everything starts with quality ingredients and simple, honest preparation. We don’t cut corners and we don’t try to reinvent the wheel—we just make really good, classic, authentic 16-inch pizza.
What were you doing before you became a part of Stango’s? What even planted the seed for starting this business in the beginning?
Before moving from Connecticut to Texas, we both spent decades working in property management. I also owned a vintage-style coffee shop up there, and I always planned to open something similar once we settled in Texas.
Jen had her own restaurant in Bronte, TX —Addona’s Restaurant—before coming over to help me here. We’ve been friends for more than 30 years (we were married once but have been divorced for 15 years).
At this point, we just work really well together. We’re friendly, we love people and creating a place where families and friends can relax, eat, and make great memories is what inspired us from the beginning.
What is something about Stango’s many people may not know that you wish they did know?
The original Stango’s theme actually came from the vintage coffee shop I ran in Connecticut, and I wanted to bring that same charm and personality here.
What many people may not know is how truly family-friendly and people-focused we are. We want everyone who walks through our doors to feel comfortable, welcome, and at home.
The atmosphere is casual, the vibe is friendly, and there’s a lot of heart behind everything we do. We genuinely care about people and love getting to know our customers.
