In the space once filled by Lake Helen’s longtime favorite Papa’s Pizza, a new era is rising — one seasoned with family roots, centuries-old recipes, and a flavor of the American Dream that is quickly fading away.
When Papa’s Pizza closed its doors in 2024 after 37 years, many wondered what would fill the void. Enter brothers Luigi and Domenico Schiano, who brought with them decades of pizza-making experience, old-school Italian recipes, and a love for the small-town atmosphere they now call home — even if they technically live in Deltona.
They’re no strangers to the pizza business. The Schiano brothers grew up in it — literally.
“We’d go to school during the week and make pizza with our dad on the weekends,” Luigi said.
Their father Vincenzo Schiano opened his first pizza shop in Martinsburg, West Virginia, in 1979, using recipes passed down through generations from their hometown of Monte di Procida, a scenic coastal town near Naples, Italy. Those recipes haven’t changed — and neither has the family’s commitment to quality.
BEACON PHOTO/ROBIN MIMNA USE TWO HANDS — The Philly Cheese Steak ($12.99) is loaded with seasoned beef, sautéed mushrooms, onions and green peppers, smothered in melted cheese and tucked into a fresh, toasted hoagie. Hearty, messy and totally worth it.
BEACON PHOTO/ROBIN MIMNA CRUNCHY, ZESTY AND UNAPOLOGETICALLY FRESH — Each Bruschetta ($3.99) starts with house-made Italian bread, toasted golden and piled high with fresh tomato, basil, mozzarella and a house-made balsamic drizzle. Bright, balanced, and built from scratch
BEACON PHOTO/ROBIN MIMNA THIS GRANDMA’S GOT ATTITUDE — The Grandma Pie ($23.99 or by the slice) is a square-cut classic layered with mozzarella, house-made pesto and bold tomato sauce in signature stripes. Thick crust, crisp edges, and old-school soul.
“We resist vendor changes so we can keep the recipes intact,” Luigi explained. “This is tradition. Straight from Italy.”
The idea to buy Papa’s started almost as a joke when they visited the Lake Helen pizzeria.
“I said, ‘Hey, you want to sell it to us?’” Luigi recalled. “And Chen said, ‘OK, let’s talk.’”
On Roma’s opening day, the line was out the door, with wait times over an hour. Even Chen stopped by to wish them well and promised to return in November.
Roma Pizza may be rooted in Naples, but its presentation leans more toward New Jersey-style — a nod to where many Monte di Procida transplants opened shops in the U.S.
“There’s a long history of our people coming to America to open pizzerias,” Luigi said. “Uncles called brothers, brothers called cousins. Now, we all see each other in the summer back home.”
That sense of kinship is baked right into the atmosphere at Roma Pizza, where Luigi and Domenico are almost always side by side.
“If you don’t see us together, there’s a problem,” Luigi quipped.
“Domenico’s the quiet one,” he added with a grin.
Domenico, flashing a wiry smile, nodded. “Yeah — he does all the talking, and I do all the work.”
Before settling in Lake Helen, the brothers ran Roma Pizza locations in Deltona and Sanford, both of which they’ve since sold. But loyal fans still track them down — every Friday, Chad Norris, Adam Matthews and Bruce Dolphin, all employees at Lowe’s in Deltona, make the lunchtime pilgrimage to Lake Helen for their favorite orders: cheesesteak pizza and white pizza with pepperoni.
“We just followed them here when they left. It’s our best lunch stop,” said Norris.
Roma Pizza has quickly become a go-to for locals too. During the final weeks of school, parents made a habit of picking up their kids and stopping in for a slice.
Mayor Vernon Burton drops by regularly for his usual lunch order: “Greek salad — two slices with mushrooms.”
And budget-conscious diners can snag the two slices and a drink special for $8.99.
Beyond the dough and sauce, Roma Pizza is about family. Luigi met his wife, Corina, at his previous pizzeria in Deltona. He recalled how he made sure they took their time with her order.
“Don’t burn her chicken,” Luigi told his brother. “I want her to come back.”
Luigi and Corina married in DeLand and now host family dinners every Monday (since Sunday is for pizza). Domenico is now engaged, and the family is all in.
Each June and July, the brothers return to Monte di Procida, where pizzeria families from across the U.S. gather for food, festivities, and the Festival of the Madonna Assunta. Back in Lake Helen, they’re bringing a slice of that heritage with them.
Location: 336 S. Lakeview Drive, Lake Helen (formerly Papa’s Pizza)
Cuisine: New Jersey-style pizza with Italian roots
Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m., closed Mondays
Signature items: Cheesesteak pizza, white pizza with pepperoni, Margherita pizza
Price: Slices $3-$4, whole pizzas $12-$20, slice + drink combo $8.99
Kid-friendly: Yes
Pet-friendly: Outdoors
Handicap-accessible: Yes
Rating: 8/8 slices
Contact: Roma Pizza, 336 S. Lakeview Drive, Suite 4, Lake Helen
Phone: 386-228-3444
romapizzalakehelenfl.com
Dining and Cooking