b'A Maplewood Native Gets aSecond Slice of Valley StreetKnown for slinging pizzas, Sabatino dishes up a new eatery.BY DONNY LEVITPHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIA MALOOF VERDEROSAW henabelovedlocalIve taken off since 2018, says Sabatino, who spokeright behind it and cut through the backyard to get pizza place shuts downwith us in early December 2021 during his self-im- there. It was called the Ritz Deli when I was a kid. for even a short spell, itposed break, and reflected on his journey to openingSabatino attended Tuscan Elementary, Maplewood justifiably becomes bighis own business. I have to make sure Im keeping toMiddle School, and Columbia High School before gustatorynews.Suchmy standards. But the chef is in no way slowing down.pursuing his calling.wasthecasewhenLast November, he soft-opened Valley Street EaterySabatino would be the first to tell you that aca-Maplewood native Sa- with his business partner, Matt Thornberry. The twodemics did not come easy for him. I have quite a batino Perrotta, Jr. announced on his Instagram ac- have put together a menu that includes breakfast andfew learning disabilities. Im not great at reading. count in late November 2021 that he was in need oflunch sandwiches, soups, and baked goods, all servedWhen they were trying to keep me in class and sit a break. Soon enough, the busy Marsal pizza oven atby the experienced cooking duo. And they put thethere and readmy mind would just go elsewhere, Sabatinos cooled down and the butcher paper wentnew place together in a mere six weeks. he says. I dont want to say I was a bad kid, but it up on the windows for some remodeling, leaving theBorn and bred in Maplewood, Sabatino grew upwas not the greatest experience. School wasnt my steady flow of regular customers lined up in front ofon Oakland Roada stones throw from his newthing.his Valley Street gem pining for his pizza. Valley Street Eatery at 530 Valley Street. My wholeThat said, Sabatino worked extremely hard to get These are probably the first five consecutive dayslife that place was a deli, he says. I used to livehis grades up so he could follow his passion for food. 14/ matters magazine / winter 2022'