New York pizza shop started by Omaha native to open local outlet

Omaha native Aaron McCann moved to New York City and opened a pizza shop in 2012 with chef and co-owner Nino Coniglio, who was a champion on the Food Network's "Chopped" competition.

The shop, Williamsburg Pizza, was named after a neighborhood in Brooklyn, where it was located. The duo has since opened four additional shops across Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Now Williamsburg Pizza is coming to Omaha. It will open May 30 at 16869 Audrey Plaza Suite 200 on the far-southwest side of the city.

McCann partnered with lead franchisee and investor Matt Hodges to open the Omaha store. Hodges operates Jimmy John's outlets in five states, including Nebraska. They say it's possible that more Williamsburg locations will open in the Midwest.

Williamsburg shops use Sicilian sea salt, freshly ground black pepper and Ciao tomatoes from the Campania region of Italy.

Their long warm and cold fermentation process makes the dough more complex, delicious and digestible, they say.

Fan-favorite Williamsburg pizzas include the Grandma, with pecorino, basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, olive oil, homemade fresh mozzarella and tomato sauce, and the Tarfufo, with mixed wild mushrooms, rosemary, white truffle oil and homemade fresh mozzarella.

The New York Times included the restaurant on its top 10 list of pizza eateries.