Author Topic: Must try pizza shops in NYC (Read 1455 times)

jumpsuit23 · « **on:** September 30, 2022, 06:28:29 PM »

So I am taking my first trip to the city in December and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of places I want to try. I'll be there for a week and plan to hit 1 or 2 places a day. Was wanting to ask the forum which places should be at the top of my list to try.

foreplease · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2022, 05:27:56 AM »

Start here
https://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php?topic=51997.0

Jon in Albany · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2022, 08:04:55 AM »

I thought Mama's Too was great, especially the squares. They've added Gelato and a Wednesday sandwich since I visited. Both look amazing in Instagram.

Getting to Scarr's, Bellucci's Pizzeria, and Wheated are on my to-do list.

If you are looking for Neapolitan, Song E Napule was good.

wb54885 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2022, 10:31:45 AM »

I do this kind of trip with some frequency and it helps to feel less overwhelmed if you clarify what you like and what your goals are. You could spend a year eating pizza every day in NYC and you'd still have lots more to try. First time in the city is exciting, so get ready to have fun.

What places are already on your radar, and why? Do you like both square and round pizza? Plan to get only slices or whole pies as well? Neapolitan or NY style or everything possible? Are you drawn to a certain type of oven/fuel, wood or gas or coal or electric? Do you like sauce or crust the most? Where are you staying and what's your mode of transport? And finally, is pizza eating your primary purpose for the visit, or are you squeezing pizza into an existing agenda?

jumpsuit23 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 01, 2022, 04:53:41 PM »

Quote from: wb54885 on October 01, 2022, 10:31:45 AM

I do this kind of trip with some frequency and it helps to feel less overwhelmed if you clarify what you like and what your goals are. You could spend a year eating pizza every day in NYC and you'd still have lots more to try. First time in the city is exciting, so get ready to have fun.

What places are already on your radar, and why? Do you like both square and round pizza? Plan to get only slices or whole pies as well? Neapolitan or NY style or everything possible? Are you drawn to a certain type of oven/fuel, wood or gas or coal or electric? Do you like sauce or crust the most? Where are you staying and what's your mode of transport? And finally, is pizza eating your primary purpose for the visit, or are you squeezing pizza into an existing agenda?

I definitely want to try a few of the big names. John's of Bleecker Street, L&B Spumoni Gardens and Prince Street come to mind. I like square and round pizza pretty equal, but my girlfriend prefers round. But, I'm convinced she just hasn't had good square pizza. I really want to try as many styles as I can honestly and I'm definitely more into crust.
We're staying in the flat iron district, but we will ride share anywhere that we can't reach by walking. I would say pizza is my main purpose for the visit, but I know my girlfriend does want to try other food options also. That being said my stomach is an endless void and I plan to eat it's fill.

jumpsuit23 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 01, 2022, 05:06:33 PM »

Something I've also been bracing for is the lines to get into some of these places. Coming from Ohio this isn't something I've ever really experienced. What should I expect as far as wait times go?

jkb · « **Reply #6 on:** October 01, 2022, 05:16:24 PM »

If you're going to John's, Joe's is right around the corner.

jumpsuit23 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 01, 2022, 05:25:32 PM »

Quote from: jkb on October 01, 2022, 05:16:24 PM

If you're going to John's, Joe's is right around the corner.

Joe's is on the list also!
Also want to take a trip over and see if Razza is worth the hype.

HansB · « **Reply #8 on:** October 02, 2022, 11:36:22 AM »

Quote from: jumpsuit23 on October 01, 2022, 05:25:32 PM

Also want to take a trip over and see if Razza is worth the hype.

It is.

scott r · « **Reply #9 on:** October 02, 2022, 12:07:56 PM »

I have done this a lot lately. There are many spots with amazing pizza in that area, all named here. Razza, Mamas too (squares), UPN and L'industrie are the cream of the crop for me and the ones that I can not miss on a visit to NY. They also happen to each offer a different pizza style which is nice.

nickyr · « **Reply #10 on:** October 02, 2022, 07:53:27 PM »

Song E Napule

jumpsuit23 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 02, 2022, 09:26:02 PM »

Quote from: HansB on October 02, 2022, 11:36:22 AM

It is.

That's what I want to hear!

jumpsuit23 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 02, 2022, 10:21:04 PM »

Also, another thing that came to mind. Should I be booking reservations for a lot of these places?

fugo · « **Reply #13 on:** October 03, 2022, 01:57:23 PM »

Patsy's in Harlem.

Jon in Albany · « **Reply #14 on:** October 03, 2022, 02:12:02 PM »

Quote from: jumpsuit23 on October 02, 2022, 10:21:04 PM

Also, another thing that came to mind. Should I be booking reservations for a lot of these places?

Several of the places mentioned will just have lines. Never been but it looks like Razza is reservation only if you are eating inside.

ciccio · « **Reply #15 on:** October 12, 2022, 02:16:04 PM »

Ribalta, Song e Napule and Rosso Pomodoro

quietdesperation · « **Reply #16 on:** November 02, 2022, 04:57:05 AM »

if you go to mamas too, suggest you walk across the street and share a slice at sal and carmines. during the chau crawl, lucalis was a favorite but you’re going to have a long, long wait. the other places, depending on what time you get there shouldn't be too bad though prince st can be tough. also the city fills up with tourists the last couple of weeks of dec so if you’re there beginning of dec, should be much easier. btw, nyc pizza suprema should be walking distance from your hotel.

i dont want to discourage you from eating pizza twice a day but nyc is a great food city, try to have a good bagel, hit katz for pastrami, chinatown for dim sum, ramen, thai in queens…the list is endless.

enjoy!

ps people underestimate how much walking we do in nyc, bring sneakers and or well broken in shoes!

fitzgen · « **Reply #17 on:** November 02, 2022, 10:33:18 AM »

FYI the subway in NYC is great so you can save a bit of money by taking it instead of ride shares when possible. Also I feel like the subway is an essential part of the New York experience.

I was recently in NYC and took the path train to Jersey city to eat at Razza (super easy ride, Razza is like two blocks from one of the stations) and it was terrific. Ended up talking with Dan Richer for 10 minutes. He signed my copy of the Joy of Pizza and we took a selfie together. Super nice and passionate guy. Great experience!

Old Red · « **Reply #18 on:** November 19, 2022, 10:43:22 AM »

Not pizza but since you are in the area go to S&P (formerly Eisenberg's) Sandwich just across 7th from the Flatiron Building. I was at a shirtmaker's last month and he suggested this to me as an old style New York eatery. I had the Lil' Shonda - scrams, pastrami, cheese, pickled green tomato and dinkee sauce on rye.

For lunch that day we took the subway over to Brooklyn and L'industrie for a slice. This was probably around two and there were maybe eight people in front of me to order. When I got my slice there was room in the enclosed outdoor seating area to eat. After that we headed to Scarr's but they were not open that afternoon. Actually the place looked out of business . . .

jumpsuit23 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 10, 2022, 07:39:16 PM »

This may be a long shot. But I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion for authentic Croatian food. I haven't had it since my grandpa passed and figured if there was anywhere to get it, it would be NYC. We head out next Tuesday and I literally cannot contain my excitement at this point!