Head Pizzaiolo
Marco Vitale
Trained in Naples under master pizzaiolo Enzo Coccia, Marco brings over 18 years of Neapolitan expertise to our kitchen. He's the guardian of our dough recipe.
A Tradition Born in
the Heart of Minneapolis
Punch Pizza was founded in 1996 by John Puckett and Lenny Russo with a simple yet powerful vision: bring the authentic flavors of Naples, Italy to the American Midwest. Inspired by their travels through Southern Italy, they fell in love with wood-fired Neapolitan pizza — its thin, airy crust, San Marzano tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella di bufala.
What began as a single location in St. Paul has grown into a beloved Twin Cities institution. We import our '00' flour directly from Caputo mills in Naples, use San Marzano DOP tomatoes, and hand-stretch every dough ball to order. Our 900°F wood-burning ovens cook each pizza in under 90 seconds — the Neapolitan way.
Today, from our St. Louis Park kitchen, we continue to honor that original commitment: real ingredients, real craft, and an unwavering respect for tradition.
28+
Years of Craft
500K+
Pizzas Served
100%
Fresh Daily
12+
Awards Won
