Like last year, I was able to dedicate part of a day off around Thanksgiving to explore pizzerias. This time I focused on Queens.
My trip was focused on New Park as I've heard a lot about it (and many good things from people I tend to agree with). But I ended up going to 3 places.
"To each his own" comes to mind. I'm very surprised with my reaction to New Park.
*****
New Park Pizza, Howard Beach Queens
As stated above, I've seen many good reviews of this place. I did read that you want slices "well done" and have seen some pictures of slices ranging from pale to charred. I got lucky (at least I thought I did) - a somewhat well done pie had just come out of the oven when I arrived.
For my tastes, however, I saw almost nothing positive about this slice, and I'd almost go so far as to say I disliked it. The crust was pretty good, it was thin and soft and had some char flavor. But aside from the char flavor, the only thing I tasted from the pizza was salt. I'll caution that I don't generally each a lot of salt...but, I had read a lot about the cheese being different here, and I didn't taste the cheese. I also heard there was a sweet sauce, but I didn't taste the sauce. It was basically a bland and salted slice on a pretty good crust. I imagine it's kind of like dumping salt onto a slice from Joe's. You'll see from the pictures, it looked really good...but it was a huge disappointment. Halfway through the slice I had my phone out planning out my next stop.
*****
Lillian Pizzeria, Forest Hills Queens
I actually lived right by this place 15 years ago. I wasn't quite a pizza fanatic at the time, I would get slices every now and then, but also remember getting chicken rolls quite frequently.
This slice was very good. I tasted hard cheese, tomato, some herbs, and creamy mozz. A proper NY slice in my opinion. My slice was re-heated for about 20 seconds, though it seemed the slice had been sitting for a bit. Had this been a fresh slice it would've been even better.
I really liked this slice. Literally a corner slice shop, and doing what they're suppose to be doing. Nothing fancy, just solid flavors. I don't know that I'd suggest this as a destination slice or not, but again, a solid slice.
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Gaby's Pizzeria, Hollis Queens
Last stop was Gaby's. I don't know too much about this place, but I had previously linked a video of them opening a doughball (using a lot of muscle) and using a mesh screen. I was interested in getting to try another mesh screen shop out, especially as this was in Queens rather than Long Island.
I was expecting a heavily topped slice, and I certainly received that. Though I was thinking that it may be a fine line between a delicious and juicy heavy-topped slice and a school cafeteria slice. This slice was highly questionable. It tasted a little better than it looks in the pictures, but not by much.
*******
All that said, when did I get so picky and critical? Or maybe I just hit a couple places that were way off from my expectations. I'm glad I went to Lillian though as it was one bright spot.
*New Park pics
