OTP’s Guide to the 5 Best Pizza Joints in New York City
Photo by: h-bomb
Scientifically proven to have the best pizza in America (Chicago, we hear you arguing, but science is science), New York is full to the brim with pizza joints claiming to be the best in the city. We’re here to cut all the competitive bullshit and tell you which five places really make the best pizza in town.
Photo by: SonnyC79
328 E. 14th St.
This tiny space is crammed with amazingness. With no room to even reach for your wallet, Artichoke somehow manages to pump out an incredible slice. There are only four options; you will order the namesake Artichoke slice ($4) if you know what’s good for you. The garlic-infused Alfredo sauce, fresh white mozzarella and toasty artichoke hearts will make you wish your mouth was bigger.
19 Old Fulton St., Brooklyn
Zagat says this pizza is the best in New York and OTP somewhat agrees (but we’ve still got a boner for Artichokes). Their pies are torched in a traditional, coal-fired brick oven, which accounts for the distinct, smokey flavor others lack. The crust is thin and crispy, the sauce perfectly savory. Grimaldi’s doesn’t do slices but at $14 per delicious pie, you can afford to commit to a whole pizza. The Brooklyn location comes with the added perk of a view of the underbelly of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Photo by: timpossible
32 Spring St.
If you like a slice with some history, Lombardi’s is the place. Declared America’s first official pizzeria, they’ve been firing up the coal oven for over 100 years. This old ass pizza is one hell of a crowd pleaser. Although the simple margarita pizza is the classic menu favorite, OTP got ballsy and went for the clam pie. We had to hold ourselves back from throwing it on the ground and rolling in it like rabid dogs; it was just that good. Every bite was full of flavor and the crust (which, if you don’t know, is a big deal to New Yorkers) was perfectly crispy. Get a clam-loving group together (since they don’t sell by the slice) and get yourself to Lombardi’s as soon as you get off the plane.
John’s Pizza
278 Bleecker St.
A strong competitor in New York’s pizza wars, this joint has three locations (one in Times Square that is entirely too fancy for pizza). The John’s on Bleecker is a sit-down restaurant serving up whole pies only. Once you taste the goodness that is, having only one slice would be a tease. Their crust is thin, the sauce-to- cheese ratio on point (a precise science, like nuclear physics) and the toppings fresh. Vanilla Ice once told John’s to ‘keep making the DOPE pizza”. Very insightful Ice, douche.
Photo by: Tim Church
7 Carmine St.
From John’s to Joe’s (people here like naming things after themselves), this pizza is famous and for a reason. Ben Affleck basically asked Joe’s pizza cheese slice to marry him, naming it the “best pizza in the world” and locals line up outside, with eagerness in their eyes, all day and night for a bite. It is in fact that good. Here, you can get just one slice or a whole pie (if you’re feeling gluttonous). Since it’s so busy, the pies don’t sit around for long, which guarantees you a fresh slice every time. Great for late night games of “absorb the liquor from my stomach before it gets to my bloodstream and I black out”.
Walking down New York City streets with a paper plate in your hand and pizza sauce on your face is perfectly acceptable (on your tits? even better); especially, if that pizza sauce comes from any one of the above places.
A Mention: 2 Boots: Where pizza gets theatrical. This place is a strange fusion of New Orleans and Italy (2 boots). OTP feels a need to mention this chain since you will see it around a lot. Although the pizza is interesting, it’s far from authentic (and if you equate authentic with good, then its far from that too). It does get points for being imaginative (crossover to strange really) but there are other places to go for a good slice.
Written By: Anna Starostinetskaya
Head Writer/Editor-in-Chief of Off Track Planet. Pescatarians are not just cheating vegetarians; we're our own breed and the extra protein makes us more feisty! Rawr
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FUCKING HILARIOUS
Yo, this list is a Joke! You’re reading too many guidebooks to find the best. They’re all good slices, but the best?? cmon man.
soooooo how does Anna have a boner again??
Pizza boners…a whole different class of boner..no proper anatomy necessary, that’s how!
Forgetaboutit’ Jo!! We’re based out of NYC, we’re straight NYC pizza eating experts. This is, however, a highly sensitive and debatable topic with many New Yorkers considering the history and sheer amount of pizza shops around town – everyone is partial. So, you’re more than welcome to tell us your favs…
Ok, that Artichoke Pizza Pic did it for me. I’ve family in New York and Grimaldi’s Pizza looks like a place I would have no trouble visiting. I haven’t been to NY since 1995, time for a visit soon!
You need to get the outer boroughs involved. The world famous Totonnos in Coney Island, there is also New Park Pizza in Queens…just to name a couple.
JP Knows what he’s talking about…check out the outer boroughs…Di Fara’s in Brooklyn and Denino’s in S.I. are two other favorites!
Not even a mention of Patsy’s in E. Harlem?!? Highly debatable topic? Yes. Artichoke on a list of 5 NY pizzerias? No. Two boots as honorable mention?!? Heavens no! Second on DiFaro. And if you’ve been in NY long enough, you’re familiar with the inverse ratio (you want science, eh?) between proximity to midtown and pizzaliciousness. Oy!