Apparently unlike all men, all water is not created equal.
A Boynton Beach-based company is helping local restaurants to replicate the true New York experience. The Famous New York Baking Water Corp. has introduced a water system that converts Florida tap water into New York City water.
One of the companies adopting this new water system is Mamma Mia’s Trattoria, 8855 Hypoluxo Road, west of Lantana.
Mamma Mia’s Trattoria is now serving real New York-style pizza thanks to real New York water.
“We get our sub rolls from this bakery in Delray Beach,” said Joey Lograsso, owner of Mamma Mia’s. “They hooked us up with the company [Famous New York Baking Water Corp.] and got me to try it out in our pizza dough.”
Lograsso said he noticed the difference immediately and that the crust was crisper and thinner.
“It is healthy for you cause it gets rid of all the impurities,” he said. “Now I can drink tap water. We have it in our soups, sodas, bread and cook pasta in it.”
He said even with soda, it is hard to explain, but that the full flavor of the soda comes out and is fuller and richer.
The process starts out at what’s known as “zero” water, which is the healthiest water because there is nothing in it. Special minerals are then added to the water and the result is the same baking water for which New York is famous.
Don Kurtzer, marketing director for Famous New York Baking Water, said for about 30 years he thought something was off with the pizza in Florida.
“It became sort of an urban legend that the water in New York was the reason,” he said. “In 2007, a friend [Howard Sackel] got info on the characteristics of New York water and created a chart for us,” he said.
Kurtzer said he took the information to a water company and tested the water it made for him with bagels.
“You could see the different immediately,” he said. “It was like we were sitting in New York eating a bagel.”
Angela Bean, president of Famous New York Baking Water, said now the goal is to spread the dual platform of healthier water and better food to all restaurants in the area.
“Some of the water here is just terrible for you,” she said. “We also offer free testing to all restaurants interested.”
Mamma Mia’s Trattoria was the launch customer June 3 for the new water system and its owner said feedback was immediate and positive.
Mamma Mia’s has been open since 2004 and is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. In all, the restaurant produces 900 gallons of New York water each day.
For information on Mamma Mia’s Trattoria, call 561-963-9565.
For information on the water company, visit
