Di Fara, beloved Midwood pizza joint, shut down for unpaid back taxes

August 20, 2019 Kelly Mena

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

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A beloved local pizza restaurant was shut down by state officials this week for unpaid back taxes.

New York State Department of Taxation officials shut down the famous Di Fara Pizza, located on 1424 Avenue J in Midwood on Tuesday, according to department officials.

Di Fara, the iconic Midwood pizzeria that has been around for more than 50 years, has been seized by the state after not paying taxes. pic.twitter.com/AN2UtvL4rC

— Morena Basteiro (@morenabasteiro) August 20, 2019

This is the second time this year the shop has been shuttered — but the first time for unpaid taxes. Back in May, the pizza shop was closed by health officials who found mice and reported workers wearing soiled and possibly contaminated clothes.

The pizzeria first opened its doors in 1965, when owner and head pizza maker until this day, Domenico “Dom” De Marco emigrated to Brooklyn from the Province of Caserta in Italy, according to the shops website. De Marco, 85, is known for making every pizza from scratch with love.

The shop opened a second location in Williamsburg in June 2018 as part of the North Third Street Market food hall. The North Brooklyn location was not confirmed as closed or facing possible closure as of press time.

Calls and messages to Di Fara Pizza went unanswered as of press time. Check back for updates.

Update (Aug 21 at 11:50 p.m.): According to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Di Fara Pizza was seized by the state’s taxation department following a past due balance of $167,506.75 dating back to 2014. State officials say that they are keeping an open dialogue with the pizzeria regarding their unpaid taxes and couldn’t comment on whether they have setup a payment plan.