Kenner’s pizza faithful are getting a blast from the past. Troy Gendusa is heading back to Rivertown and flipping the lights back on at the tiny cottage that first put Gendusa’s on the map, turning it into a weekend-only outpost while the bigger Williams Boulevard shop keeps handling the daily crush.
Reopening details
Gendusa posted that he plans to reopen the cottage at 325 Williams Blvd. as a second location of Gendusa’s Pizzeria, running Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to NOLA.com. The announcement, shared on social media, makes clear this is a scaled back return to Rivertown, not a full revival of the larger restaurant that once operated there.
Main shop moves to a larger space
Earlier this year, the main Gendusa’s pizzeria shifted to a larger home at 2717 Williams Blvd. to add room for big parties and ease those long waits, as Eater New Orleans reported. The new address, formerly Messina’s, gave the family more elbow room while keeping the familiar Rivertown feel that regulars expect with their pies.
Menu and service
The cottage will stick to a streamlined lineup of pizzas, calzones, pastas, appetizers and cannolis, mirroring the core offerings listed on Gendusa’s website. Staffing and hours are being pared down to match weekend foot traffic instead of full scale nightly service.
What it means for Rivertown
For Rivertown regulars, the cottage’s comeback restores a walkable, low key option in the historic district, while the larger Williams Boulevard shop continues to handle big groups and event business. With two locations, Gendusa’s can hang on to its neighborhood charm without losing the capacity to serve larger crowds.
An official opening date has not been announced yet. Gendusa has framed the cottage’s return as a move “back to his roots,” with a simple, no frills menu and no alcohol or corkage fee, according to NOLA.com. Details on when the doors will open are expected to land on the restaurant’s official channels.
