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From Slice

Sal and Carmine's: A Post-Sal Pilgrimage

Here I am in California, drooling over the picture of your pie. Haven't had one like that since I left Connecticut in 68. What a wonderful tribute to Sal. I'll be at JFK in October, any good slices in the airport?!?!

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From Slice

Sal and Carmine's: A Post-Sal Pilgrimage

Here I am in California, drooling over the picture of your pie. Haven't had one like that since I left Connecticut in 68. What a wonderful tribute to Sal. I'll be at JFK in October, any good slices in the airport?!?!

From Slice

Sal and Carmine's: A Post-Sal Pilgrimage

Didn't find this story until now, but if you're still checking the comments, Ed, you did a fabulous job with this. Very nice tribute to a true culinary genius. I lived in NYC for several years starting in 2000. A friend of mine at the time, an Upper West Side native, took me to Sal and Carmine's. I, being from California, believed all NY pizza was good and anything that said "Ray's" was the best. Oh how wrong I was! I didn't get around to all the city's pizza places, but my first cheese slice from Sal and Carmine's remains one of the most memorable eating experiences of my life.

From Slice

Sal and Carmine's: A Post-Sal Pilgrimage

Thanks for this review. I just moved to Morningside Heights this week and had an itch for pizza tonight. Sal and Carmine's, here we come!

From Slice

Sal and Carmine's: A Post-Sal Pilgrimage

Oh indeed. I did the same thing the week after Sal's passing, heading up to the UWS from Williamsburg and buying a whole pie to take back home for my friends, who were too busy/lazy/skeptical to make the trip up and try a slice for themselves. Carmine gave me a fresh pie out of the oven minutes after I'd paid. I carried it, tied up in candystripe, onto the 3 train and then onto the L, attracting more stares than I've ever gotten in my life - just imagine someone balancing a hot pie on one hand while maneuvering through the commuter crowd during rush hour.

I reheated the slices for my friends on a cookie sheet until the cheese was just starting to burn. We had them with a few beers. I made believers out of everyone that night.

Great story, Ed!

PS: Wrote my own tribute to S&C here!

From Slice

Sal and Carmine's: A Post-Sal Pilgrimage

Nice story. I had the good fortune to live near Sal and Carmine's in the early 60's, and then to rediscover it with my kids (now themselves S&C loyalists) at new location in the 90's. It's still the best pizza bar none I've ever had, to my mind best appreciated when eaten plain. Contrary to what was suggested in a previous comment on this site, neither Sal nor Carmine was at all surly or grouchy, merely businesslike and not particularly given to chatting up customers. When our niece was starting a pizza place here in Vermont, they were both very helpful, taking an interest and offering advice and suggestions. We got the full story of how they were run out of the 95th Street building. But I never knew that they were brothers, or that Luciano was Sal's grandson. Thanks for all this Sal and Carmine's lore--it's wonderful to hear.

From Slice

Sal and Carmine's: A Post-Sal Pilgrimage

That's a really wonderful tribute... I will have to make a point to go up there and try it. Thank you.

From Slice

Sal and Carmine's: A Post-Sal Pilgrimage

That is just a beautiful pie.

No further comment is necessary.

From Slice

Sal and Carmine's: A Post-Sal Pilgrimage

When I moved to NYC in 1999, I was 20, broke and sharing an illegal sublet two blocks from Sal & Carmines, where I ate late dinners at least twice a week. Besides the great pizza, I appreciated the no nonsense vibe of Sal & Carmine - they never tried to talk to me beyond getting my order and then left me alone. They made me feel like I could be a real new yorker.

From Slice

Sal and Carmine's: A Post-Sal Pilgrimage

Not that I know of. Just a local New York chain that won't impress you at all and maybe a California Pizza Kitchen.

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About Cruiseader

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Location: Monterey, California

About: I grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut in the 60's, a true Yankee fan. Mantle, Maris, Ford, Berra etc. Joined the Air Force in 68, stationed in California, got married and stayed!

Favorite foods: Italian, pizza, still searching for a decent slice in California, so far no luck, hot dogs, another no-go out here.

Last bite on earth: a white clam pie from Pepe's in New Haven and a deep fried dog from Swanky Frankies in Norwalk