Star Tavern in Orange is as good as advertised. Pepperoni is my go to at any pizza joint, sicilian or grandma slices get me going.
I went to Sicily this past summer, lots of crazy topping combos with seafood like shrimp and mussels. Love how they perfected the personal pie over there.
Go to DiFara's in Brooklyn. You'll thank me later.
I did like Di Fara's. But, I never felt it was some other worldly experience and the combination of cost and the wait will prevent me from ever going back.
If you haven't tried it yet, try Lucali in Brooklyn. The owner modeled his style after Dom from Di Fara's. It is really outstanding pizza. But, it now has a crazy following. You have to get on line well before they open at 5 just to put your name on the list.
not very good. Little Italy Pizza is as good as DiFara's and John's on Bleeker. John's on Bleeker was the biggest pizza let down I've had. Waited an hour for super market frozen pizza quality (with too much mozz).
at this point NY pizza is a reputation thing and because pizza almost everywhere else sucks.
Also, the pizza place in Penn Station (Don Pepi) is as good as any other place in NY. Penn Station is a shit hole, but they have good wings (Kabooz) and decent pizza.
not very good. Little Italy Pizza is as good as DiFara's and John's on Bleeker. John's on Bleeker was the biggest pizza let down I've had. Waited an hour for super market frozen pizza quality (with too much mozz).
at this point NY pizza is a reputation thing and because pizza almost everywhere else sucks.
Also, the pizza place in Penn Station (Don Pepi) is as good as any other place in NY. Penn Station is a shit hole, but they have good wings (Kabooz) and decent pizza.
I agree that on balance, NY pizza is overrated. There are some great places, most mentioned here, but the rank and file places around the city are mostly garbage - crap pizza for drunks to order slices when they stagger out of bars.
In the New Haven area, you really have to search to find a bad pizza. Unless you go to Dominos or Pizza Hut, but that’s not really pizza anyway. But I digress...
I usually get to the Jersey Shore once a year because buddy lives in Red Bank. We always go there.I love that place. Thin crust pizza...amazing.
My son lives in Bradley Beach and we go to Vic’s quite often. Good Pizza, but Del Ponte’s in Bradley Beach is definitely on par. It’s Coal-Fired Pizza, but equally good IMO.
Here are some of my NJ favorites, in no particular order. Â
Rosie's in Point Pleasant!!!!!!
I've had it a few times, and it has been excellent!! I put them separate from the rest of my list, because they are relatively new. I think they have only been open for a year and a half (or so) They are also the only place on my list that sells pizza by the slice. It's on a side street off of Arnold Ave. It's also not as large of a place, as others on my list.
Santillo's in Elizabeth
Sciortino's in South Amboy (very sweet sauce)
DeLorenzo's in Robbinsville (Papa's too)
Razza in Jersey City
Talulah's in Asbury Park
Go to DiFara's in Brooklyn. You'll thank me later.
Damn! We're pretty much in lock step everything Yankees and now pizza too! I came in to post DiFara's and you beat me to it. Lol.
Some of the best pizza I've ever had and definitely worth posting in this thread.
My man!
That's awesome. Yeah, it is so good. My closest friend is a killer chef and basically just has incredible taste and knows all of the best spots so he turned me onto it. He's like a NY restaurant/food almanac. Lol.
If you haven't tried it yet, try Lucali in Brooklyn. The owner modeled his style after Dom from Di Fara's. It is really outstanding pizza. But, it now has a crazy following. You have to get on line well before they open at 5 just to put your name on the list.
I've heard amazing things about Lucali, Matt - I'd love to check it out. It's 100% on my list.
Of course, it's in the middle of nowhere, they're only open a few days a week, they have a limited number of toppings and they're the surliest SOBs this side of the Hudson.
But what they do, they do well.
I'm not familiar with many of these places, having been away Â
While everyone up here has their own favorite you really can't go wrong with any of them.
Pepe's
Sally's
Modern
BAR
Est
Grande
Zuppardi's
Amen brother. I’ve long been a Modern man, but in recent trips back up to New Haven my buddies and I have been leaning into Zuppardi’s, also all star and usually less of a line/wait for table
I usually get to the Jersey Shore once a year because buddy lives in Red Bank. We always go there.I love that place. Thin crust pizza...amazing.
My son lives in Bradley Beach and we go to Vic’s quite often. Good Pizza, but Del Ponte’s in Bradley Beach is definitely on par. It’s Coal-Fired Pizza, but equally good IMO.
Will have to check that place out, along with Pete & Elda's. I'm going to be in NJ the weekend of 7/12. Buddy & I are running the Belmar 5 that morning, followed by a ton of beers!
Is in tier of its own that isn’t even comparable to places in NY/NJ/ rest of NE. It’s simply the best, haven’t found anywhere else that has those magical old seasoned charcoal fired ovens and sauce that is truly unmatched.
Sally’s will always be my number one as It’s been my family’s spot and I’ve been going since I was a kid. Modern and Pepe’s are both excellent too.
But for brick oven pizza delpontes (randomly in same town) is probably the best I have ever had as well - and that’s a loaded statement. Nancy’s townhouse in Rahway is quite good, someone mentioned sun tavern above and that’s another really good one. I am partial to some of the Bayonne thin crust places as well.
To me the other shore landmark Pete and eldas is a bit overrated cause of the T-shirt gimic
Santillo's and Santorelli's in Elizabeth and I heard Â
a mention of even Spirto's,. The Peterstown section of Elizabeth is going on 5th generation Italians. The pizza is 2nd to none. I'm sure the only draw would come from the Italian section of Brooklyn.
Last summer buddy & I went to Johnny Mac's (I think that's the name?) Â
in Asbury Park. If you order a drink, you get a ticket for a free bar pie. Not the world's greatest pizza, but pretty good itself. And the idea is genius. It kept us drinking.
in Asbury Park. If you order a drink, you get a ticket for a free bar pie. Not the world's greatest pizza, but pretty good itself. And the idea is genius. It kept us drinking.
Johnny Mac’s is for kids. Next time go to Porta or Tahlulah’s for pizza and good beer/drinks. Also hit up Bond St.
in Asbury Park. If you order a drink, you get a ticket for a free bar pie. Not the world's greatest pizza, but pretty good itself. And the idea is genius. It kept us drinking.
Johnny Mac’s is for kids. Next time go to Porta or Tahlulah’s for pizza and good beer/drinks. Also hit up Bond St.
Awesome. Thanks for recommendations. Will save this thread & check those places out.
A friend was visiting NYC and said he went to some famous place Â
Is in tier of its own that isn’t even comparable to places in NY/NJ/ rest of NE. It’s simply the best, haven’t found anywhere else that has those magical old seasoned charcoal fired ovens and sauce that is truly unmatched.
Sally’s will always be my number one as It’s been my family’s spot and I’ve been going since I was a kid. Modern and Pepe’s are both excellent too.
Pepe's expansion now is pretty big and while on the whole their non-New Haven locations aren't as good, they're incredible. I've eaten at the Mohegan Sun location, Warwick RI location and Chestnut Hill (MA) locations.
Sallys sale finally went through from what I heard (it was tied up for years in litigation) and they will undergo a similar expansion.
if they can pull it off, remains to be seen.
However, for my $$$ Modern is the best.
And I hate to make every pizza thread about New Haven, but it's that different. It's almost like Weber grills vs Charbroil when you compare the "average" New Haven pizza to anywhere else.
not very good. Little Italy Pizza is as good as DiFara's and John's on Bleeker. John's on Bleeker was the biggest pizza let down I've had. Waited an hour for super market frozen pizza quality (with too much mozz).
at this point NY pizza is a reputation thing and because pizza almost everywhere else sucks.
Also, the pizza place in Penn Station (Don Pepi) is as good as any other place in NY. Penn Station is a shit hole, but they have good wings (Kabooz) and decent pizza.
Ugh, your taste in pizza is as bad as your fashion sense. ;-)
Little Italy Pizza is almost always overcooked and their slices usually have been sitting too long. Don Pepi's is decent if and only if you're grading on a curve for train station pizza. They use so much corn meal on their trays that it's like brushing sand off the bottom of your pizza. Besides, Don Pepi's isn't even the best pizza in Penn Station - that distinction belongs to Rose's. And Pizza Suprema - a legitimately worthwhile pizza destination - is literally right across 8th ave.
I do agree with you about Kabooz's wings though - those are really good.
not very good. Little Italy Pizza is as good as DiFara's and John's on Bleeker. John's on Bleeker was the biggest pizza let down I've had. Waited an hour for super market frozen pizza quality (with too much mozz).
at this point NY pizza is a reputation thing and because pizza almost everywhere else sucks.
Also, the pizza place in Penn Station (Don Pepi) is as good as any other place in NY. Penn Station is a shit hole, but they have good wings (Kabooz) and decent pizza.
Ugh, your taste in pizza is as bad as your fashion sense. ;-)
Little Italy Pizza is almost always overcooked and their slices usually have been sitting too long. Don Pepi's is decent if and only if you're grading on a curve for train station pizza. They use so much corn meal on their trays that it's like brushing sand off the bottom of your pizza. Besides, Don Pepi's isn't even the best pizza in Penn Station - that distinction belongs to Rose's. And Pizza Suprema - a legitimately worthwhile pizza destination - is literally right across 8th ave.
I do agree with you about Kabooz's wings though - those are really good.
My point was less about the places more about the fact NY Pizza is not special. I've been to most of the recommended ones and they're just not special (compared with New Haven which isn't really fair or even asked about).
and the train station is just convenient.
Kabooz wings though I do admit when I have the flexibility I plan my Manhattan meetings end times so I have enough lead time to get some wings before my train leaves.
not very good. Little Italy Pizza is as good as DiFara's and John's on Bleeker. John's on Bleeker was the biggest pizza let down I've had. Waited an hour for super market frozen pizza quality (with too much mozz).
at this point NY pizza is a reputation thing and because pizza almost everywhere else sucks.
Also, the pizza place in Penn Station (Don Pepi) is as good as any other place in NY. Penn Station is a shit hole, but they have good wings (Kabooz) and decent pizza.
Ugh, your taste in pizza is as bad as your fashion sense. ;-)
Little Italy Pizza is almost always overcooked and their slices usually have been sitting too long. Don Pepi's is decent if and only if you're grading on a curve for train station pizza. They use so much corn meal on their trays that it's like brushing sand off the bottom of your pizza. Besides, Don Pepi's isn't even the best pizza in Penn Station - that distinction belongs to Rose's. And Pizza Suprema - a legitimately worthwhile pizza destination - is literally right across 8th ave.
I do agree with you about Kabooz's wings though - those are really good.
My point was less about the places more about the fact NY Pizza is not special. I've been to most of the recommended ones and they're just not special (compared with New Haven which isn't really fair or even asked about).
and the train station is just convenient.
Kabooz wings though I do admit when I have the flexibility I plan my Manhattan meetings end times so I have enough lead time to get some wings before my train leaves.
Next time you have the chance, go try Lazzara's. It's only a few blocks from Penn, so it's not wildly inconvenient if you can squeeze it into your schedule (and you can order online in advance and just walk in to grab your food).
I think in general there are a lot of great food places anywhere (not just NYC) that end up becoming overrated simply because of how much praise is lauded on them. That's a shame, IMO, because most of those places legitimately ARE great, but they're not life-changing in the way that the hype would have you believe.
not very good. Little Italy Pizza is as good as DiFara's and John's on Bleeker. John's on Bleeker was the biggest pizza let down I've had. Waited an hour for super market frozen pizza quality (with too much mozz).
at this point NY pizza is a reputation thing and because pizza almost everywhere else sucks.
Also, the pizza place in Penn Station (Don Pepi) is as good as any other place in NY. Penn Station is a shit hole, but they have good wings (Kabooz) and decent pizza.
Ugh, your taste in pizza is as bad as your fashion sense. ;-)
Little Italy Pizza is almost always overcooked and their slices usually have been sitting too long. Don Pepi's is decent if and only if you're grading on a curve for train station pizza. They use so much corn meal on their trays that it's like brushing sand off the bottom of your pizza. Besides, Don Pepi's isn't even the best pizza in Penn Station - that distinction belongs to Rose's. And Pizza Suprema - a legitimately worthwhile pizza destination - is literally right across 8th ave.
I do agree with you about Kabooz's wings though - those are really good.
My point was less about the places more about the fact NY Pizza is not special. I've been to most of the recommended ones and they're just not special (compared with New Haven which isn't really fair or even asked about).
and the train station is just convenient.
Kabooz wings though I do admit when I have the flexibility I plan my Manhattan meetings end times so I have enough lead time to get some wings before my train leaves.
Next time you have the chance, go try Lazzara's. It's only a few blocks from Penn, so it's not wildly inconvenient if you can squeeze it into your schedule (and you can order online in advance and just walk in to grab your food).
I think in general there are a lot of great food places anywhere (not just NYC) that end up becoming overrated simply because of how much praise is lauded on them. That's a shame, IMO, because most of those places legitimately ARE great, but they're not life-changing in the way that the hype would have you believe.
Done. I'm in Manhattan Tuesday - Wednesday, before my Wednesday train home i'll go.
L&B Spumoni Gardens only got one vote....I moved from Bklyn to Jersey 20 years ago and I still make special trips back (think of the toll costs!) for their pizza. Many have tried to duplicate, but none have.
RE: Im biased because I grew up up the street from it Â
The owner studies and researches every ingredient that goes on the pizzas. The dough is amazing. They charge for their bread and butter and I never feel like it isn't worth it
RE: Razza in Jersey City for fancier specialty pies Â
The owner studies and researches every ingredient that goes on the pizzas. The dough is amazing. They charge for their bread and butter and I never feel like it isn't worth it
With a handle like "Vincenzo," I am basically just totally inclined to take your advice here and 100% buy that this place is legit without ever having it.
RE: RE: RE: Last summer buddy & I went to Johnny Mac's (I think that's the name?) Â
in Asbury Park. If you order a drink, you get a ticket for a free bar pie. Not the world's greatest pizza, but pretty good itself. And the idea is genius. It kept us drinking.
Johnny Mac’s is for kids. Next time go to Porta or Tahlulah’s for pizza and good beer/drinks. Also hit up Bond St.
Awesome. Thanks for recommendations. Will save this thread & check those places out.
I'll second Porta in AP. It's our go to pre show meetup spot anytime we hit up AP for some music. Very good and never disappoints.
L&B Spumoni Gardens only got one vote....I moved from Bklyn to Jersey 20 years ago and I still make special trips back (think of the toll costs!) for their pizza. Many have tried to duplicate, but none have.
That's because their pizza is average at best. Not bad compared to other places, but it's your average NYC slice, maybe a little above average on the Sicilian side.
Their food is very good (great marsala), and their spumoni kicks ass. And during the summer, nothing beats grabbing a slice and having some spumoni while sitting outside on the street watching people duke it out over parking spots.
Love DiFara's, but the slice is not the best thing he does Â
cause it's pretty damn good everywhere I lived in NJ. I did pick up favorites in each area though...here they are:
Uncle Franks - Dumont NJ
Benny Tudino's - Hoboken
Nauna's - Montclair
Calabria's - Livingston
Keste, Bleecker Street
Razza, Jersey City
Rubirosa Lafayette St
Modern Apizza New Haven
John's, Bleecker St
Star Tavern, Orange, NJ
Roberta's, Brooklyn
Wish I lived closer. I'm near Kinchley's but it's no comparison. I'll have to try Nellie's.
My brother lives in Allendale and after reading this thread I bugged him about Kinchley's, and he said Nellie's is just as good so why drive 5 minutes more to Ramsey?
Also, Nellie's other menu items - particularly their daily specials - are much better that the food at Kinchley's, too.
Did Lazzara's ever sell slices in a street level counter? Â
I liked Franki Fed's on Route 33 in Freehold. Very good thin crust pizza. I haven't been back since moving out of state.
Whoever mentioned Benny Tudino's in Hoboken, you brought back memories of college in the 80's. Benny Tudino's had huge, cheap slices, but nothing mind blowing.
Wish I lived closer. I'm near Kinchley's but it's no comparison. I'll have to try Nellie's.
+100
Star Tavern is great. Went to Senton Hall Prep and we used to cut out for lunch there. But they have a tendency to burn the Pie sometimes. I didn’t mind it but an inconsistency.
Pete and Elda’s is always great and still really good cold or reheated
Nobody lives near Middle Village/Maspeth/Ridgewood? Â
Rosa's Pizza makes a fantastic Sicilian slice/pie. Spumoni Gardens might be the only other place in all of NYC that could compare. Most pizza places just do not make Sicilian with the kind of authenticity it needs....edible but certainly not something to lust after.
Their other pizza slices are very good....regular, margherita, eggplant. Food is very good too.
This is the pizza place that has been used in Billions (the Metropolitan Ave and 78th street location). Very satisfying to see a real life place that's legit be featured like that.
As for the thin crust, I like Nick's Pizza in Forest Hills and Grimaldi's under the bridge.
For that mainstay NYC slice, I have no opinion for best of the best.
BTW, I ate at Sorbillo in Naples several weeks back....unreal, I would say it's my favorite ever. I'm curious how good their Manhattan location is....definitely want to check it out.
so my son and I went to Star Tavern and had a pepperoni pie yesterday. Thin crust with a slight char on the edges. Very good. I had never been there before. I'll go back.
Thin crust: Nellies has surpassed Kinchley’s in making ... Â
the best thin crust. It’s easy to sit down and power through an entire pepperoni bar pie. And a shout out to Conte’s in Princeton. Also delicious thin crust and an awesome old world beer and pizza atmosphere.
I know it's sacrilege to say, but lately I have been digging the spicy sopressata and honey slice at Mama's Too, which is on the Upper West Side. It's something like a Detroit style slice, but not as dense. But denser than a typical Sicilian slice. The sopressata and honey combo is fantastic, and the pizza tastes great. Hard not to overindulge there.
The one drag is that it's a very small place. But man, they're very good.
Keste, Bleecker Street
Razza, Jersey City
Rubirosa Lafayette St
Modern Apizza New Haven
John's, Bleecker St
Star Tavern, Orange, NJ
Roberta's, Brooklyn
Rubirosa is on 235 Mulberry St.
RE: A friend was visiting NYC and said he went to some famous place Â
there is a place called Sauce on 12th and First (did not read all the responses to see if has been mentioned) it is relatively new but it is insanely good and can go toe to toe with any pizza in the city.
RE: Love DiFara's, but the slice is not the best thing he does Â
If you held a gun to my head, I'd say the tray/grandma's pie is the best pizza I've ever had.
Btw, this is 1000% correct, the square slice at DiFara is in another universe, the round slice is excellent, but for some reason the square is on another planet. But again, I waited 2 hours for my pizza there, the wait is obscene. I have gone back on some other day where the wait was less, but still you shlep all the way out there and then you might have to wait another two hours to eat. People should know what they are getting into before they go out there.
RE: I am a big fan of DiFar but the wait is obscene Â
there is a place called Sauce on 12th and First (did not read all the responses to see if has been mentioned) it is relatively new but it is insanely good and can go toe to toe with any pizza in the city.
Oddly, I have never waited at DiFara's. Granted, I've only been a few times (once specifically for it, twice before shows at the Kings), so maybe I've just gotten lucky. I'm sure weekends are a nightmare, but 6ish on a weeknight, there hasn't been a wait at all when I went.
RE: RE: I am a big fan of DiFar but the wait is obscene Â
there is a place called Sauce on 12th and First (did not read all the responses to see if has been mentioned) it is relatively new but it is insanely good and can go toe to toe with any pizza in the city.
Oddly, I have never waited at DiFara's. Granted, I've only been a few times (once specifically for it, twice before shows at the Kings), so maybe I've just gotten lucky. I'm sure weekends are a nightmare, but 6ish on a weeknight, there hasn't been a wait at all when I went.
the wait was at around 1230-1 on a Friday. I once went on a Thursday at lunch time and it was relatively quiet, but the old man wasn't doing the pizza that day. I am in park slope, so it is no big deal for me to check it out and leave if its too crowded, just feel bad if people travel great distances for that and have to wait another two hours. But, if they know it and want to do it, good on them. I have never went at night, btw.
Star Tavern - Orange
Nonna’s - Florham Park (grandma pie)
Denino’s South - Brick (I believe original is in Staten Island)
Kinchley’s - Ramsey
Pete & Elda’s - Neptune
Mack’s - Avalon/Wildwoods
so I ate at Lazzara's today. Assuming it's the same place mentioned.
two thumbs up. I will say walking in I thought I was being set up. it's a hole in the wall, upstairs in a dingy building (not that that bothers me) with rectangle pizza. also doesn't really bother me, but sometimes rectangle pizza is sicilian, which is a completely different thing - the pictures on the menu on the doorway made me leery.
Anyway, if I were doing a review like the guy from barstool (who sucks) I'd give them an 8. Definitely better than Don Pepi in Penn Station.
I like a thin crust, but this crust was almost too thin.
I took pictures to confirm this is the right place. good sauce, not too much sauce, right amount of cheese, good flavor crust, my only complaint was like I said the crust was a little too thin, almost cracker-ish until the actual crust, which was also a little thin.
One of the best NY pizza places I've eaten. Better than John's on Bleeker.
Where is it? Is it convenient to mid-town or penn station.
I'm in the city twice a month and usually walk from Penn to grand central area and back - so anywhere in the general vicinity is very easy for me to get too., I can go up sometimes as far as Central park one one end and the financial district at the other end but generally my trips are reliably where I mentioned.
Where is it? Is it convenient to mid-town or penn station.
I'm in the city twice a month and usually walk from Penn to grand central area and back - so anywhere in the general vicinity is very easy for me to get too., I can go up sometimes as far as Central park one one end and the financial district at the other end but generally my trips are reliably where I mentioned.
PJ,
It's one block over from Penn actually. I'm not going to claim I've tried every top place but in terms of what it is (a good local slice shop) it's very good. They have a lot of "interesting toppings" all of a sudden but their plain slice, pepperoni etc. All very good.
I judge pizza based on their cheese pizza, but bacon is one of my favorite pizza toppings. The Modern Apizza Italian Bomb is the best pizza on the planet and it has bacon, sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, onion, pepper and garlic. Sounds like overkill to some people, but once you try it you will agree, the Italian Bomb from Modern, the margherita from Sally's and the fresh clam from Pepe's the three best pizzas on Earth.
Where is it? Is it convenient to mid-town or penn station.
I'm in the city twice a month and usually walk from Penn to grand central area and back - so anywhere in the general vicinity is very easy for me to get too., I can go up sometimes as far as Central park one one end and the financial district at the other end but generally my trips are reliably where I mentioned.
PJ,
It's one block over from Penn actually. I'm not going to claim I've tried every top place but in terms of what it is (a good local slice shop) it's very good. They have a lot of "interesting toppings" all of a sudden but their plain slice, pepperoni etc. All very good.
next time.
I am partial to Trattoria Sorrentina in North Bergen, but in Hoboken Â
both great...
I went to Sicily this past summer, lots of crazy topping combos with seafood like shrimp and mussels. Love how they perfected the personal pie over there.
Lombardi's
Totono
Lucali
I’d also say Vic’s in Bradley Beach.
Bingo
Lombardi's
Totono
Lucali
Good list, Totonno’s is great.
I’d also put the best of New Haven up there with any of them
I usually get to the Jersey Shore once a year because buddy lives in Red Bank. We always go there.I love that place. Thin crust pizza...amazing.
Damn! We're pretty much in lock step everything Yankees and now pizza too! I came in to post DiFara's and you beat me to it. Lol.
Some of the best pizza I've ever had and definitely worth posting in this thread.
This 110%. It’s a dive, don’t go there to be comfortable, you’ll most likely be standing while you eat, but it’s the best.
In NYC: FULL MOON in the Bronx
North Jersey: Kinchley's, Star Tavern, Lido's, or Brooklyn Pizza in Hackensack/Edgewater
Central Southern: Denino's in Brick, Maruca's on the Seaside Boardwalk, Sawmill on the Seaside Boardwalk
BEST PIZZA I EVER HAD: SALLY'S IN NEW HAVEN, FOLLOWED A CLOSE SECOND BY FRANK PEPE'S!!!!!!
I usually get to the Jersey Shore once a year because buddy lives in Red Bank. We always go there.I love that place. Thin crust pizza...amazing.
I prefer Pete & Elda's!
Plain or pepperoni?
Why is everyone looking at me like that?
Actually Joe's on Bleeker is one of the best, if the the best, pizza by the slice places in Manhattan.
So you're good.
John's on Bleeker is my vote for best overall in Manhattan.
at this point NY pizza is a reputation thing and because pizza almost everywhere else sucks.
Also, the pizza place in Penn Station (Don Pepi) is as good as any other place in NY. Penn Station is a shit hole, but they have good wings (Kabooz) and decent pizza.
You can get that same great thin crust pizza at Nellie’s in Waldwick.
This is one place if I am in that area, worth a trip. Because the pizza is different and the spumoni is wonderful.
at this point NY pizza is a reputation thing and because pizza almost everywhere else sucks.
Also, the pizza place in Penn Station (Don Pepi) is as good as any other place in NY. Penn Station is a shit hole, but they have good wings (Kabooz) and decent pizza.
I agree that on balance, NY pizza is overrated. There are some great places, most mentioned here, but the rank and file places around the city are mostly garbage - crap pizza for drunks to order slices when they stagger out of bars.
In the New Haven area, you really have to search to find a bad pizza. Unless you go to Dominos or Pizza Hut, but that’s not really pizza anyway. But I digress...
I usually get to the Jersey Shore once a year because buddy lives in Red Bank. We always go there.I love that place. Thin crust pizza...amazing.
My son lives in Bradley Beach and we go to Vic’s quite often. Good Pizza, but Del Ponte’s in Bradley Beach is definitely on par. It’s Coal-Fired Pizza, but equally good IMO.
I've had it a few times, and it has been excellent!! I put them separate from the rest of my list, because they are relatively new. I think they have only been open for a year and a half (or so) They are also the only place on my list that sells pizza by the slice. It's on a side street off of Arnold Ave. It's also not as large of a place, as others on my list.
Santillo's in Elizabeth
Sciortino's in South Amboy (very sweet sauce)
DeLorenzo's in Robbinsville (Papa's too)
Razza in Jersey City
Talulah's in Asbury Park
Quote:
Go to DiFara's in Brooklyn. You'll thank me later.
Damn! We're pretty much in lock step everything Yankees and now pizza too! I came in to post DiFara's and you beat me to it. Lol.
Some of the best pizza I've ever had and definitely worth posting in this thread.
My man!
That's awesome. Yeah, it is so good. My closest friend is a killer chef and basically just has incredible taste and knows all of the best spots so he turned me onto it. He's like a NY restaurant/food almanac. Lol.
I've heard amazing things about Lucali, Matt - I'd love to check it out. It's 100% on my list.
While everyone up here has their own favorite you really can't go wrong with any of them.
Pepe's
Sally's
Modern
BAR
Est
Grande
Zuppardi's
But what they do, they do well.
While everyone up here has their own favorite you really can't go wrong with any of them.
Pepe's
Sally's
Modern
BAR
Est
Grande
Zuppardi's
Amen brother. I’ve long been a Modern man, but in recent trips back up to New Haven my buddies and I have been leaning into Zuppardi’s, also all star and usually less of a line/wait for table
Quote:
.
I usually get to the Jersey Shore once a year because buddy lives in Red Bank. We always go there.I love that place. Thin crust pizza...amazing.
My son lives in Bradley Beach and we go to Vic’s quite often. Good Pizza, but Del Ponte’s in Bradley Beach is definitely on par. It’s Coal-Fired Pizza, but equally good IMO.
Will have to check that place out, along with Pete & Elda's. I'm going to be in NJ the weekend of 7/12. Buddy & I are running the Belmar 5 that morning, followed by a ton of beers!
Sally’s will always be my number one as It’s been my family’s spot and I’ve been going since I was a kid. Modern and Pepe’s are both excellent too.
To me the other shore landmark Pete and eldas is a bit overrated cause of the T-shirt gimic
Johnny Mac’s is for kids. Next time go to Porta or Tahlulah’s for pizza and good beer/drinks. Also hit up Bond St.
Good place but only the second best Umbertos in the nearby area. King Umberto's in Elmont is superior pizza!
Don Pepes in Penn Station
Johns in Belmar, NJ
Santillos in Elizabeth, NJ
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has incredible thin crust pizza. It doesn’t beat the best in NYC, but it’s the best in NJ that I’ve had.
You can get that same great thin crust pizza at Nellie’s in Waldwick.
Yep, go to Nellie's often. The guy who opened Nellie's used to be a partner in Kinchley's.
100%
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in Asbury Park. If you order a drink, you get a ticket for a free bar pie. Not the world's greatest pizza, but pretty good itself. And the idea is genius. It kept us drinking.
Johnny Mac’s is for kids. Next time go to Porta or Tahlulah’s for pizza and good beer/drinks. Also hit up Bond St.
Awesome. Thanks for recommendations. Will save this thread & check those places out.
I have to say, I feel like DiFara's is a little overrated without the old man.
Lazzara's on W 38th is sneaky good - I'd put it up against just about any place in the NYC area.
That sounds like Grimaldi's, which has a place in the old church that used to be Limelight.
Sally’s will always be my number one as It’s been my family’s spot and I’ve been going since I was a kid. Modern and Pepe’s are both excellent too.
Pepe's expansion now is pretty big and while on the whole their non-New Haven locations aren't as good, they're incredible. I've eaten at the Mohegan Sun location, Warwick RI location and Chestnut Hill (MA) locations.
Sallys sale finally went through from what I heard (it was tied up for years in litigation) and they will undergo a similar expansion.
if they can pull it off, remains to be seen.
However, for my $$$ Modern is the best.
And I hate to make every pizza thread about New Haven, but it's that different. It's almost like Weber grills vs Charbroil when you compare the "average" New Haven pizza to anywhere else.
at this point NY pizza is a reputation thing and because pizza almost everywhere else sucks.
Also, the pizza place in Penn Station (Don Pepi) is as good as any other place in NY. Penn Station is a shit hole, but they have good wings (Kabooz) and decent pizza.
Ugh, your taste in pizza is as bad as your fashion sense. ;-)
Little Italy Pizza is almost always overcooked and their slices usually have been sitting too long. Don Pepi's is decent if and only if you're grading on a curve for train station pizza. They use so much corn meal on their trays that it's like brushing sand off the bottom of your pizza. Besides, Don Pepi's isn't even the best pizza in Penn Station - that distinction belongs to Rose's. And Pizza Suprema - a legitimately worthwhile pizza destination - is literally right across 8th ave.
I do agree with you about Kabooz's wings though - those are really good.
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not very good. Little Italy Pizza is as good as DiFara's and John's on Bleeker. John's on Bleeker was the biggest pizza let down I've had. Waited an hour for super market frozen pizza quality (with too much mozz).
at this point NY pizza is a reputation thing and because pizza almost everywhere else sucks.
Also, the pizza place in Penn Station (Don Pepi) is as good as any other place in NY. Penn Station is a shit hole, but they have good wings (Kabooz) and decent pizza.
Ugh, your taste in pizza is as bad as your fashion sense. ;-)
Little Italy Pizza is almost always overcooked and their slices usually have been sitting too long. Don Pepi's is decent if and only if you're grading on a curve for train station pizza. They use so much corn meal on their trays that it's like brushing sand off the bottom of your pizza. Besides, Don Pepi's isn't even the best pizza in Penn Station - that distinction belongs to Rose's. And Pizza Suprema - a legitimately worthwhile pizza destination - is literally right across 8th ave.
I do agree with you about Kabooz's wings though - those are really good.
My point was less about the places more about the fact NY Pizza is not special. I've been to most of the recommended ones and they're just not special (compared with New Haven which isn't really fair or even asked about).
and the train station is just convenient.
Kabooz wings though I do admit when I have the flexibility I plan my Manhattan meetings end times so I have enough lead time to get some wings before my train leaves.
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In comment 14454441 pjcas18 said:
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not very good. Little Italy Pizza is as good as DiFara's and John's on Bleeker. John's on Bleeker was the biggest pizza let down I've had. Waited an hour for super market frozen pizza quality (with too much mozz).
at this point NY pizza is a reputation thing and because pizza almost everywhere else sucks.
Also, the pizza place in Penn Station (Don Pepi) is as good as any other place in NY. Penn Station is a shit hole, but they have good wings (Kabooz) and decent pizza.
Ugh, your taste in pizza is as bad as your fashion sense. ;-)
Little Italy Pizza is almost always overcooked and their slices usually have been sitting too long. Don Pepi's is decent if and only if you're grading on a curve for train station pizza. They use so much corn meal on their trays that it's like brushing sand off the bottom of your pizza. Besides, Don Pepi's isn't even the best pizza in Penn Station - that distinction belongs to Rose's. And Pizza Suprema - a legitimately worthwhile pizza destination - is literally right across 8th ave.
I do agree with you about Kabooz's wings though - those are really good.
My point was less about the places more about the fact NY Pizza is not special. I've been to most of the recommended ones and they're just not special (compared with New Haven which isn't really fair or even asked about).
and the train station is just convenient.
Kabooz wings though I do admit when I have the flexibility I plan my Manhattan meetings end times so I have enough lead time to get some wings before my train leaves.
Next time you have the chance, go try Lazzara's. It's only a few blocks from Penn, so it's not wildly inconvenient if you can squeeze it into your schedule (and you can order online in advance and just walk in to grab your food).
I think in general there are a lot of great food places anywhere (not just NYC) that end up becoming overrated simply because of how much praise is lauded on them. That's a shame, IMO, because most of those places legitimately ARE great, but they're not life-changing in the way that the hype would have you believe.
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In comment 14454600 Gatorade Dunk said:
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In comment 14454441 pjcas18 said:
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not very good. Little Italy Pizza is as good as DiFara's and John's on Bleeker. John's on Bleeker was the biggest pizza let down I've had. Waited an hour for super market frozen pizza quality (with too much mozz).
at this point NY pizza is a reputation thing and because pizza almost everywhere else sucks.
Also, the pizza place in Penn Station (Don Pepi) is as good as any other place in NY. Penn Station is a shit hole, but they have good wings (Kabooz) and decent pizza.
Ugh, your taste in pizza is as bad as your fashion sense. ;-)
Little Italy Pizza is almost always overcooked and their slices usually have been sitting too long. Don Pepi's is decent if and only if you're grading on a curve for train station pizza. They use so much corn meal on their trays that it's like brushing sand off the bottom of your pizza. Besides, Don Pepi's isn't even the best pizza in Penn Station - that distinction belongs to Rose's. And Pizza Suprema - a legitimately worthwhile pizza destination - is literally right across 8th ave.
I do agree with you about Kabooz's wings though - those are really good.
My point was less about the places more about the fact NY Pizza is not special. I've been to most of the recommended ones and they're just not special (compared with New Haven which isn't really fair or even asked about).
and the train station is just convenient.
Kabooz wings though I do admit when I have the flexibility I plan my Manhattan meetings end times so I have enough lead time to get some wings before my train leaves.
Next time you have the chance, go try Lazzara's. It's only a few blocks from Penn, so it's not wildly inconvenient if you can squeeze it into your schedule (and you can order online in advance and just walk in to grab your food).
I think in general there are a lot of great food places anywhere (not just NYC) that end up becoming overrated simply because of how much praise is lauded on them. That's a shame, IMO, because most of those places legitimately ARE great, but they're not life-changing in the way that the hype would have you believe.
Done. I'm in Manhattan Tuesday - Wednesday, before my Wednesday train home i'll go.
I used to live around the corner from Star Tavern, before i went into the military. Their pizza is good, but I still like Ray’s the best.
With a handle like "Vincenzo," I am basically just totally inclined to take your advice here and 100% buy that this place is legit without ever having it.
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In comment 14454520 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:
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in Asbury Park. If you order a drink, you get a ticket for a free bar pie. Not the world's greatest pizza, but pretty good itself. And the idea is genius. It kept us drinking.
Johnny Mac’s is for kids. Next time go to Porta or Tahlulah’s for pizza and good beer/drinks. Also hit up Bond St.
Awesome. Thanks for recommendations. Will save this thread & check those places out.
I'll second Porta in AP. It's our go to pre show meetup spot anytime we hit up AP for some music. Very good and never disappoints.
Sal's in Mamaroneck makes a killer Sicilian pie.
That's because their pizza is average at best. Not bad compared to other places, but it's your average NYC slice, maybe a little above average on the Sicilian side.
Their food is very good (great marsala), and their spumoni kicks ass. And during the summer, nothing beats grabbing a slice and having some spumoni while sitting outside on the street watching people duke it out over parking spots.
Uncle Franks - Dumont NJ
Benny Tudino's - Hoboken
Nauna's - Montclair
Calabria's - Livingston
Benny T's Hoboken
When it's bad, it's still pretty good.
Razza, Jersey City
Rubirosa Lafayette St
Modern Apizza New Haven
John's, Bleecker St
Star Tavern, Orange, NJ
Roberta's, Brooklyn
My brother lives in Allendale and after reading this thread I bugged him about Kinchley's, and he said Nellie's is just as good so why drive 5 minutes more to Ramsey?
Also, Nellie's other menu items - particularly their daily specials - are much better that the food at Kinchley's, too.
This is my opinion exactly
Whoever mentioned Benny Tudino's in Hoboken, you brought back memories of college in the 80's. Benny Tudino's had huge, cheap slices, but nothing mind blowing.
Benny T's Hoboken
Obviously, the varied specialty slices sell less often, ergo, not as fresh on a walk in basis
+100
Star Tavern is great. Went to Senton Hall Prep and we used to cut out for lunch there. But they have a tendency to burn the Pie sometimes. I didn’t mind it but an inconsistency.
Pete and Elda’s is always great and still really good cold or reheated
Their other pizza slices are very good....regular, margherita, eggplant. Food is very good too.
This is the pizza place that has been used in Billions (the Metropolitan Ave and 78th street location). Very satisfying to see a real life place that's legit be featured like that.
As for the thin crust, I like Nick's Pizza in Forest Hills and Grimaldi's under the bridge.
For that mainstay NYC slice, I have no opinion for best of the best.
BTW, I ate at Sorbillo in Naples several weeks back....unreal, I would say it's my favorite ever. I'm curious how good their Manhattan location is....definitely want to check it out.
The one drag is that it's a very small place. But man, they're very good.
It's actually..
John's of Bleecker St.
Razza, Jersey City
Rubirosa Lafayette St
Modern Apizza New Haven
John's, Bleecker St
Star Tavern, Orange, NJ
Roberta's, Brooklyn
Rubirosa is on 235 Mulberry St.
probably John's of Times Square. It's in an old church, good pizza.
Btw, this is 1000% correct, the square slice at DiFara is in another universe, the round slice is excellent, but for some reason the square is on another planet. But again, I waited 2 hours for my pizza there, the wait is obscene. I have gone back on some other day where the wait was less, but still you shlep all the way out there and then you might have to wait another two hours to eat. People should know what they are getting into before they go out there.
Oddly, I have never waited at DiFara's. Granted, I've only been a few times (once specifically for it, twice before shows at the Kings), so maybe I've just gotten lucky. I'm sure weekends are a nightmare, but 6ish on a weeknight, there hasn't been a wait at all when I went.
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there is a place called Sauce on 12th and First (did not read all the responses to see if has been mentioned) it is relatively new but it is insanely good and can go toe to toe with any pizza in the city.
Oddly, I have never waited at DiFara's. Granted, I've only been a few times (once specifically for it, twice before shows at the Kings), so maybe I've just gotten lucky. I'm sure weekends are a nightmare, but 6ish on a weeknight, there hasn't been a wait at all when I went.
the wait was at around 1230-1 on a Friday. I once went on a Thursday at lunch time and it was relatively quiet, but the old man wasn't doing the pizza that day. I am in park slope, so it is no big deal for me to check it out and leave if its too crowded, just feel bad if people travel great distances for that and have to wait another two hours. But, if they know it and want to do it, good on them. I have never went at night, btw.
Nonna’s - Florham Park (grandma pie)
Denino’s South - Brick (I believe original is in Staten Island)
Kinchley’s - Ramsey
Pete & Elda’s - Neptune
Mack’s - Avalon/Wildwoods
two thumbs up. I will say walking in I thought I was being set up. it's a hole in the wall, upstairs in a dingy building (not that that bothers me) with rectangle pizza. also doesn't really bother me, but sometimes rectangle pizza is sicilian, which is a completely different thing - the pictures on the menu on the doorway made me leery.
Anyway, if I were doing a review like the guy from barstool (who sucks) I'd give them an 8. Definitely better than Don Pepi in Penn Station.
I like a thin crust, but this crust was almost too thin.
I took pictures to confirm this is the right place. good sauce, not too much sauce, right amount of cheese, good flavor crust, my only complaint was like I said the crust was a little too thin, almost cracker-ish until the actual crust, which was also a little thin.
One of the best NY pizza places I've eaten. Better than John's on Bleeker.
I also love Nellie's in Waldwick. Pepperoni + Hot Cherry Peppers is a great combo of toppings there.
Where is it? Is it convenient to mid-town or penn station.
I'm in the city twice a month and usually walk from Penn to grand central area and back - so anywhere in the general vicinity is very easy for me to get too., I can go up sometimes as far as Central park one one end and the financial district at the other end but generally my trips are reliably where I mentioned.
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is the most underrated pizza place in the city.
Where is it? Is it convenient to mid-town or penn station.
I'm in the city twice a month and usually walk from Penn to grand central area and back - so anywhere in the general vicinity is very easy for me to get too., I can go up sometimes as far as Central park one one end and the financial district at the other end but generally my trips are reliably where I mentioned.
PJ,
It's one block over from Penn actually. I'm not going to claim I've tried every top place but in terms of what it is (a good local slice shop) it's very good. They have a lot of "interesting toppings" all of a sudden but their plain slice, pepperoni etc. All very good.
I judge pizza based on their cheese pizza, but bacon is one of my favorite pizza toppings. The Modern Apizza Italian Bomb is the best pizza on the planet and it has bacon, sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, onion, pepper and garlic. Sounds like overkill to some people, but once you try it you will agree, the Italian Bomb from Modern, the margherita from Sally's and the fresh clam from Pepe's the three best pizzas on Earth.
Italian bomb:
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In comment 14458071 DanMetroMan said:
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is the most underrated pizza place in the city.
Where is it? Is it convenient to mid-town or penn station.
I'm in the city twice a month and usually walk from Penn to grand central area and back - so anywhere in the general vicinity is very easy for me to get too., I can go up sometimes as far as Central park one one end and the financial district at the other end but generally my trips are reliably where I mentioned.
PJ,
It's one block over from Penn actually. I'm not going to claim I've tried every top place but in terms of what it is (a good local slice shop) it's very good. They have a lot of "interesting toppings" all of a sudden but their plain slice, pepperoni etc. All very good.
next time.
I like Razza too, and Porto (also in North Bergen) is quite good as well.
In Italy pizzas are actually a soggy mess, but I was totally blown away by what Bonci makes, more like flatbread but wow, was it good.
When I first had New Haven pizza I thought it was a revelation but on the subsequent visits the crust just seemed too hard/crispy now.
The key is brick wood-fired oven and double zero flour.
scroll up to 3:20. I ate at Lazarra's around 1pm, before any rain fell (if it was the right place).