“How did a Greek-run pizzeria end up making Indian pizza?” asks Hetal Pancholi.
He is one of the managers of Singas Famous Pizza, which has locations in both Orlando and Sanford.
It’s an interesting story and can be condensed.
In 1967, Greek immigrant Bill Singas opened a pizzeria in Queens, New York. Just to be clear, it’s Elmhurst, not Astoria. It was a traditional spot, but with a mix of homemade fusion dishes, such as pie with feta, spinach, and olives, and a touch of Mediterranean cuisine from his homeland on the menu.
Pancholi’s father-in-law, Singas owner Naresh Patel, used to go there as a child in the 1970s.
As the neighborhood’s demographics began to change, Indian grocery stores began moving into the space surrounding the pizzeria. With its central location and affordable prices, Singas has become an easy place for the community to stop and eat together.
“India is not a vegetarian country. It’s an omnivorous culture, but…many Indians who come to America come from one or two specific states that have a lot of vegetarians,” says Pancholi, who was raised on Long Island by Indian-born parents.
Traditional cheese pizza can be easy, delicious, and requires no explanation of cultural specificity, he says.
Who doesn’t like pizza?
And singas lend themselves beautifully to a very Indian way of eating, as they favor finely diced, fresh toppings such as onions, olives and spinach.
“Pickle, cilantro, mint, and onion with fresh raw jalapenos on top,” he says.
As more Indians started visiting this store and other Singas stores that had sprung up in the Northeast, some Indians began to cater to their loyal customers, eventually arriving at a menu of multiple pies that reflected their tastes, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian.
In the early ’80s, as Singas grew into a franchise, many chose to include an Indian pizza option. Some people have developed new ones, like the ones we have here in town.
The desi garlic bread is a must-try, complete with coriander mint chutney, diced fresh jalapenos, and more.
“Desi is a slang term for people from Southeast Asia. We don’t want to exclude Pakistani or Nepali guests,” says Pancholi. “It’s inclusive.”
There were four types of pies on the table: chicken tikka, palak paneer and chana masala, and I was very satisfied. There’s also the new Pav Bhaji, a pie based on a mixture of potatoes, cauliflower and spices.
According to Pancholi, most of the customers on weekdays are Americans, but on weekends, the number of Indian customers changes. Many of the customers are from other parts of the country who are familiar with the Singas brand and its Indian pies, he said. Indian ice cream is on the menu here, so you have options from apps to desserts.
In addition to the standard kulfi pops you can buy at your local Indian grocery store, there are also easy-to-scoop items from boutique brand Malai in flavors like masala chai, cardamom pistachio crumble, and googra. The name comes from a popular pastry in its home country, and for those fans, it’s loaded with nuts.
Syngas isn’t the only option that offers such fun. Longwood’s relatively new La Pino’z is a well-known chain among Indians, with more than 700 locations in its home country. We have expanded here and offer an extensive menu of both American and Indian pies. The latter comes in sizes up to 18 inches and packs a powerful flavor punch.
The crust feels like a “chain” but the flavor is far from that, an authentic blend of Indian spices fused with fast food format. I’d love to go back and try something else when I feel like it.
Mazara Pijja, a small shop in Orlando off the coast of OBT, offers a version generously topped with meats like chicken and lamb, but with a more American feel. And Tikka Shack’s version is a similar format for Americans, with a nice balance of Chipotle-like flavors that Indians recognize.
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At Singas, Pancholi and Patel are pleased that non-Indians have shown interest in the “unofficial” menu, a list written on a board next to the counter.
A few weeks ago, a video of someone dipping a cheese pizza in butter chicken curry went viral, sparking some interest.
It’s great to see so many people experiencing flavors they’re not used to, like fenugreek and cardamom.
“Part of our mission is to open everyone’s palate to these types of flavors,” he says. “It feels great when someone eats our pizza and then goes to an Indian restaurant for the first time.
He says it’s a positive thing to see Indian culture become part of mainstream American culture.
“You’re seeing more representation. We started out as Apu from ‘The Simpsons,’ but we’ve become more nuanced. Real round characters and monoliths. The same thing is happening with cooking.”
Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram @amydroo or the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com, and for more foodie fun, join our Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
If you go
La Pino’z Pizza: 1050 W. State Rd 434 in Longwood
Mazara Pijja: 1155 Doss Ave (in Laxmi Plaza), Orlando, 407- 674 -0778; Mazara Pijja.com
Singas Famous Pizza: 790 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando, 407-440-2425 and 2921 S. Orlando Drive, Sanford, 407-688-2979. singaspizzas.com/singassanford;
