PrintPizza Pilgrimage to NYC- where not to miss?
In about two weeks, I'm headed to New York City (for the first time) in order to embark upon a Pizza Pilgrimage. I was born and raised in the Midwest, and grew up either with uninspiring tasteless flat pies, or doughy Chicago cheese and marinara sauce casserole. Given the fact that I've only got two days to experience The Big Apple, plus the need to navigate the city relatively inexpensively, what are the pizza places I must not miss? It's easy to find Top Ten lists, and many share at least a few places- DiFara's, Una Pizza Napoletana, Lombardi's, etc- but if I had to choose... where would it be?
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12 Comments:
Hands down, the best pizza in the city is Totonno's at Coney Island (you want the Neptune Ave address on that web page -- take the Q, F, D, or N to Stillwell Ave). The place is no frills, and the pizza is not sold by the slice, but after you taste it you'll see that's not a problem. Do not bother with the other locations, and be respectful to the staff (especially a middle-aged woman with reddish hair).
DiFara's is a close second, but the crust gets a little soft due to the generous cover of olive oil that Dominic adds after the pie comes out of the oven. Tastes delicious though. Also, unless you can get a slice before they sell out, on a moderately crowded day you'll wait at least 45 minutes for a whole pie. Located at Ave J.
If you want some off-the-beaten-path places, there's House of Pizza in Carroll Gardens and Two Boots in Park Slope. The sundried tomato-goat cheese pizza at Two Boots is pretty tasty. If you're going there, I'd go a little later in the evening to avoid the hordes of children, unless you have children, then you're fine.
If you're not interested in a journey, Lombardi's is okay but hit-or-miss, as is Grimaldi's in DUMBO.
savecara at 9:43AM on 02/04/08
john's pizzeria is a nice place to go too, esp. for the concentration of good 'foodie' spots in the neighborhood... faicco's pork, murray's cheese, blind tiger ale house, etc.
for pizza pizza and only pizza, i second totonno's, difara, and UPN.
goodbyeohio at 10:27AM on 02/04/08
if you're headed to brooklyn skip two boots/house of pizza/grimaldis and go to Frannys.
ceforrester at 11:53AM on 02/04/08
Second that on Totonno's.
beth1 at 1:05PM on 02/04/08
third on totonnos. there are never lines there this time of year.
sloppy at 2:07PM on 02/04/08
Well, I see that's changed my list a bit. Excellent, thanks for the advice! Any other suggestions?
ragekage at 2:15PM on 02/04/08
Regarding Totonno's - Please understand that there are a couple of other Totonno's in Manhattan. Please do not go to them. You really want the one in Coney Island. The other's are truly the ugly stepsisters, pizza-wise.
For by the slice pizza, there's a hole in the wall on Amsterdam avenue between 73rd and 74th street called Sal's. They make the best plain slice on the planet. But only plain slices. If they add so much as a single slice of pepperoni, it destroys the slice.
chisai at 3:15PM on 02/04/08
I would go to Una Pizza Napoletana, the Totonno's in Coney Island, and DiFara in Midwood, Brooklyn. You will get three different styles of pizza, but all of them utterly delicious.
Ed Levine at 4:21PM on 02/04/08
I think Ed's list is perfect.
The management style at each pizzeria differs hysterically, and will be illuminating for a Midwesterner.
The only thing I'd add, is to get the artichoke pizza at DiFara.
Report back and let us know how you make out.
norman at 9:25PM on 02/04/08
It's not traditional NY pizza, but a visit to Otto is definitely in order, imo! Was there just last night, and I wish I lived around the block, 'tho my waistline is better for the distance... :-) Food is wonderful, wine list as well, love the vibe, and it's INSANELY affordable. Make a res or grab a seat at the bar--just don't go on the weekend.
www.ottopizzeria.com
Curlz at 7:17PM on 02/05/08
I echo Ed and norman.
Una Pizza Napoletana. Also, go early. They close when they run out of dough.
Totonno's in Coney Island (and only Coney Island).
Di Fara in Midwood. For me, best time to go is before they open. Before noon. Probably better on a weekday than weekend.
If you have time, I would add Patsy's in East Harlem (and no other Patsy's).
kathryn at 9:04PM on 02/09/08
A close to complete list. All that is missing is L & B Spumoni Gardens in Brooklyn.
My personal favorite is DiFara's.
peppertree5706 at 8:33PM on 02/11/08