By William Keegan, Jr.Grimaldi's

I don't know if you ever got a chance to see the documentary on "The History Of Pizza." If you did, you might remember that Grimaldi's of Brooklyn was featured as one of the nation's first and premiere names in the art of making pizza. The documentary also credited Grimaldi's as serving one of finest pizzas anywhere.

In fact, Grimaldi's coal fired oven pizzas has become a "must have" for hundreds of celebrities including the likes of Frank Sinatra and Rudy Giuliani.

When the sign Grimaldi's Pizza appeared on the storefront of 980 Franklin Avenue, my interest was peaked. I began to ask myself, how good could this pizza actually be? I mean, pizza is pizza, right? Soon, I would be able to answer my question.

When you first enter Grimaldi's, you realize this is not just another local fast food joint. The murals on the wall distinctly take you back to their Brooklyn restaurant where it all began. Once you start to recognize the photos of famous and celebrity patrons, you begin to realize that you are in for an important eating event.

Generally, you will be greeted by Dino La Lima the manager. It's a given that Dino will treat you as a friend and important patron. The haunting aroma from the coal fire pizza ovens, only ads to the excitement in which you are about to partake.

Once you are served and take your first bite, your pallet immediately realizes that you have just tasted the best of the best. The restaurant's wonderful atmosphere is just a plus.

Grimaldi's is owned by the Ciolli family. They acquired the restaurant and rights to the name 15 years ago and is always under the watchful eye of the original owner Patsy Grimaldi. Since that time the Ciolli's have maintained the quality and tradition of Patsy. When Russell Ciolli, the son of the owner, decided it was time to open his own restaurant, his wife Jennifer insisted that Garden City was the place to be. We can all thank Jennifer for her wise decision and business savvy.

Their choice of 980 Franklin Avenue was one of the best things that has happen to the dead zone of north Franklin. Grimaldi's is more that just a fine eating establishment, it has become "the major anchor" for retail on north Franklin Avenue. Quiznos and Stone Cold Creamery were just two of the retailers that followed their success.

So my original question of, "how good could this pizza actually be?" was answered. The History Channel was right. Grimaldi's is one of the best of the best. And, thanks to some great pizza, north Franklin Avenue in Garden City is experiencing a boom in business.