On June 24, 1987, the original TWO BOOTS RESTAURANT was opened at 37 Avenue A. By combining New Orleans cooking with pizza and beer in a funky, family-friendly environment, TWO BOOTS (the boots representing the geographical shapes of Italy and Louisiana) brought life to a desolate, restaurant-barren stretch of the East Village.

TWO BOOTS' unique cornmeal-crust pizza was an immediate hit and TWO BOOTS TO GO, a slice and delivery ...

On June 24, 1987, the original TWO BOOTS RESTAURANT was opened at 37 Avenue A. By combining New Orleans cooking with pizza and beer in a funky, family-friendly environment, TWO BOOTS (the boots representing the geographical shapes of Italy and Louisiana) brought life to a desolate, restaurant-barren stretch of the East Village.

TWO BOOTS' unique cornmeal-crust pizza was an immediate hit and TWO BOOTS TO GO, a slice and delivery branch, opened across the street in 1989.

In 1992, along bustling lower Broadway, TWO BOOTS TO GO-GO opened at 74 Bleecker Street. The concept next spread to the West Village, where in 1995 TWO BOOTS TO GO WEST opened at the corner of 7th Avenue, Greenwich Avenue and West 11th Street. Meanwhile, TWO BOOTS operated on-site concessions in Central Park for the Summerstage Music Festival and has continued, since 1995, as sponsor and food purveyor for the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in Tomkins Square Park.

Back in the East Village, TWO BOOTS TO GO was outgrowing its space, and in the fall of 1996 moved into a large new space at the corner of Avenue A and 3rd Street. This location not only provided expanded seating indoors and out but included space for TWO BOOTS VIDEO, specializing in independent and art films, the DEN OF CIN, a screening room/performance space/lounge, and the future home of THE PIONEER THEATHER, a 100 seat movie house for first-run American independent and foreign films.

In 1998, the Bleecker Street branch expanded next door, doubling its space and ennabling the first TWO BOOTS breakfast program to be initiated, which includes coffee, pastries and distinctive breakfast pizzas.

More growth in 1999: in early summer, the aforementioned PIONEER THEATER began construction and in late summer, TWO BOOTS GRAND CENTRAL, a restaurant/bar in the newly renovated station's Dining Concourse began construction. Both of these locations opened in February of 2000. Next, a branch at Rockefeller Center opened in February of 2001.

With its roots firmly downtown, TWO BOOTS has sought to expand while maintaining its idiosyncratic style and commitment to the community. TWO BOOTS actively supports a variety of programs for children and artists, including a public school literacy program and a sponsorship of the Association of Independent Video & Filmmakers.

Acclaimed as the best slice of pizza in the best pizza town in the world, TWO BOOTS heads into the new millenium as a genuine New York City institution, proud to be one of the East Village's leading exports to the world.