By Charlie Pogacar
When actor Jason Cerbone—best known for portraying Jackie Aprile Jr. on The Sopranos—walked into Trio Pizzeria in Baldwin Place, New York, and ordered the “Tony Soprano” slice, it felt like a scene straight out of the show. The only thing missing was the theme music.
For co-owner Michael Lubic, it wasn’t the first time someone notable had stopped by—but this one hit a little different. Lubic remembers watching each episode of The Sopranos as it aired live on Sunday nights—it was truly appointment television. So when he heard Cerbone was in the shop, he sprang into action.
“One of the kids who works for me said, ‘I think somebody from The Sopranos is here,’” Lubic told PMQ Pizza. “I had just left to go to my other restaurant, [Traditions 118], and when I found out who it was, I came back right away. I asked him if he’d take a picture with the Tony Soprano slice, and he was more than gracious.”
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The photo was, of course, taken beneath a painting of Tony Soprano eating a sandwich that sits above the shop’s ordering counter. Cerbone holds the Tony Soprano slice, a fixture of Trio’s menu: a square Sicilian base with sweet sopressata, roasted Neapolitan plum tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil. It was a moment too perfect not to be shared on social media—which, with Cerbone’s blessing, Lubic eventually did.
The interaction and social post was the latest chapter in what’s been an uber successful start for a young pizzeria—the backstory of which is worth telling.
The Family
Trio Pizzeria is located in the northern reaches of Westchester County, about an hour’s drive from New York City. It opened in March 2024, but Lubic’s pizza story started long before that. His grandfather opened a pizzeria in the 1960s, and it eventually became a “full-blown Italian restaurant,” according to Lubic. Then, Lubic’s mother started a pizzeria called Pinocchio’s in Baldwin Place. “My mother literally went into labor while making pizza,” Lubic said.
Pinocchio’s was located next door to where Trio Pizzeria stands today. After running Traditions 118, a fine-dining Italian restaurant, for two decades, Lubic and his business partner, John Migliaccio, saw a chance to open something new. They bought the real estate and created a pizzeria that could “check all the boxes.”
“We don’t do something unless we can do it the best,” Lubic said. “I don’t want anything on my menu that’s just not great, because what’s the point? Everything really needs to stand out.” For example, Lubic said the shop uses Caputo flour and Ciao tomatoes imported from Italy—authentic ingredients that define his pizza’s flavors and textures.
The Community
Lubic’s commitment to quality extends beyond the food. He and Migliaccio are both active faces of the brand, running the shop’s social media and appearing in videos that feel authentic rather than forced. “It’s a blessing and a curse to attach your face to a brand,” he said. “When people don’t see you, they think something’s wrong. But it’s the only way we know how to do things—we don’t hide in the back. We’re out there putting slices in the oven, doing goofy things, getting to know our customers.”
That hands-on presence reflects Trio’s community-first mindset. “Especially in Westchester, there’s a huge sense of community,” Lubic said. “We sponsor all the local football teams. We’re the first to donate, the first to get involved in a cause. That’s kind of part of social media for us—it’s part of our marketing.”
Having operated restaurants in Westchester for decades, Lubic has had his share of brushes with fame. When celebrities show up—ones like Cerbone—Lubic doesn’t treat it as a photo op—he treats it as a moment to be handled with respect.
“Always ask first,” he advised other operators. “If someone posts about you, share it. But if a celebrity comes in with their family, be respectful. Read the room. Don’t take advantage of the situation.”
The Shop
Trio has only been open 18 months, but the shop’s success has blown away the owners’ expectations. When asked if they’ll expand, Lubic said they’re intent on scaling the business thoughtfully but will perhaps open new shops in the future. For now, Trio is doing just fine.
“We’ve only been here a year and a half, and we’ve exceeded expectations,” Lubic said. “We’re fortunate and blessed to have everyone’s support. I’ll never say we’re the best pizzeria—pizza is subjective—but I think it’s fair to say we’re the most talked about right now in Westchester. Just the fact that people mention us with pizzerias that have been around for 40 years means a lot.”
For Trio, the celebrity buzz was never the goal—it was a byproduct of doing everything right. In a business built on hype, that might be the most Sopranos-worthy move of all.
