Our Central Florida Favorites Article Feature!
Bringing Authentic New York Pizza and Family Hospitality to Central Florida
Some restaurants are built around recipes. Others are built around a dream. At Grand Central Pizza Station, both come together to create an experience rooted in authentic New York pizza, heartfelt hospitality, and a commitment to making every guest feel like family.
For owners, Dan & Erika Rommel, the restaurant represents the fulfillment of a lifelong vision. Erika as a child, she often talked with her father about one day owning a business together. Although life ultimately led them down different professional paths, that dream remained. Years later, after Dan & Erika relocated to Orlando, the couple discovered something they believed was missing from the local dining scene: authentic New York pizza crafted with the same quality and care they loved.
When the opportunity presented itself, they decided to take a leap of faith together.
“Dan made the incredible decision to leave a successful career in Corporate America, so together we could build something of our own, not just a restaurant, but a legacy for our family,” said Erika. “Grand Central Pizza Station isn’t just the business we own. It’s the legacy we’re building together.”
That sense of purpose continues to shape every aspect of the restaurant today. While the menu is inspired by authentic New York pizza traditions, the atmosphere is equally intentional. From the New York-inspired décor and subway theme to the music playing throughout the dining room, every detail is designed to transport guests while creating an environment where everyone feels welcome.
Whether customers arrive after work, following a youth baseball game, or after a day exploring Central Florida, the goal remains the same: provide a place where people can gather around great food and meaningful conversation.
Being family-owned is central to that experience. Dan & Erika remain actively involved in the restaurant's daily operations, greeting guests, delivering food, bussing tables, answering phones, and getting to know the people who walk through the doors. They believe hospitality cannot simply be delegated. It must be lived every day.
That same philosophy extends into the kitchen, where craftsmanship drives every pizza that leaves the oven.
Grand Central Pizza Station prepares its dough fresh each day before allowing it to ferment for up to 72 hours to develop flavor and texture. The restaurant uses a New York Water Maker system to replicate the water associated with traditional New York pizza, while Grande cheese is hand-shredded daily, sauces are made in-house, vegetables are prepared fresh, and every pizza is baked in traditional deck ovens.
The restaurant's commitment to authenticity is further strengthened by certified Pizzaiolos on
the team who trained through the Pacific Northwest School of Pizza, whose curriculum is
rooted in the Scuola Italiana Pizzaioli, one of Italy's oldest and most respected pizza schools.
“We're incredibly intentional about every pizza we serve,” Dan said. “Those details may seem small individually, but together they create a pizza that reflects craftsmanship, consistency, and pride. We believe our guests deserve nothing less.”
That attention to detail has helped Grand Central Pizza Station cultivate a loyal following. Guests return not only for the pizza, but for the relationships they build with the team. The restaurant celebrates birthdays, supports youth sports, hosts themed events, offers a Secret New Haven Line menu, and creates memorable experiences that encourage first-time visitors to become longtime regulars.
Community involvement is another cornerstone of the business. As a veteran-owned restaurant, Grand Central Pizza Station proudly offers discounts to veterans and first responders while partnering with local schools, youth sports leagues, nonprofit organizations, veterans groups, and charities throughout West Orange County. The restaurant's Round-Up program also benefits Southern Cross Service Dogs, helping provide service dogs to veterans in need.
“Being part of the community isn't something we do, it's who we are,” Dan said. “If our restaurant can make someone's day a little brighter, help raise money for a great cause, or become the place where families gather after a ballgame, then we're doing exactly what we set out to accomplish.”
As Grand Central Pizza Station continues to grow, the focus remains firmly on the values that inspired the restaurant from the beginning: authentic New York pizza, premium ingredients, continuous improvement, and genuine hospitality. Every innovation, new menu idea, and community event is guided by one simple goal of creating memorable experiences for every guest.
For the GCPS team, success is measured by far more than the number of pizzas served. It is reflected in the traditions created, the friendships formed, and the families who continue returning to share life's everyday moments around the table. After all, at Grand Central Pizza Station, the mission has never been simply to serve pizza. It has always been to create a place where memories are made and every guest leaves feeling like a friend.
Check out the article here!
And see our awards here:
