No, not this lil' shaver at left. We don't even know if he's from Brooklyn, much less Park Slope. And being childless, we'd have no clue how to help him. But a baby does have something to do with this entry, so let's cut to the chase. A reader in Park Slope writes:
"I just had a kid and my wife and I are mostly stuck in our neighborhood. Where's the best slice in Park Slope? I will walk to wherever but I live on the south side."
The best slice in Park Slope? Why that's in my kitchen! Ba da dum.
But seriously, folks ...
As a Slopester myself, I'm a bit embarrassed to admit I don't have an answer for you on hand. I've lived on both Seventh and Fifth avenues, and have eaten a slice or two at most of the places along those strips—well, those between the Prospect and Flatbush, anyway. They all seem equally lackluster. Perhaps some were marginally better than others, but nothing overwhelmed me and so I never gave slices in the Slope a second thought.
Some friends of mine who have sinced moved out of the neighborhood liked Aniello's on Fifth, around 8th Street or thereabouts. And a young lady whose pizza opinion I hold in high esteem often used to grab slices there after long nights at work when nothing else was open. I'm paraphrasing here, but I think she described it as the least of all evils in that area.
You know, Mr. Greenberg, your query has inspired me. I'm going to systematically try all the pizzerias along Fifth and Seventh avenues in the coming weeks.
I'll report my findings then. For now, let's open this up to readers: Where can Mr. Greenberg find the best slice in Park Slope? Discuss in the Comments section.
There's a new-ish place on 6th Ave, somewhere around St. Marks (?) that has decent slices. But for the most part, the slices in the Slope have never blown me away.
That's odd. I walk up Saint Mark's (from 5th to 6th/Flatbush) quite often and I haven't noticed a new-ish place. As soon as I finish this comment, I'm off to investigate. Thanks, Glenn.
As a fellow sloper, I would have to agree that there is a dearth of tasty pizza in the Slope. I haven't tried La Villa on 5th Ave yet -- it's supposed to pretty good. i don't know if they do slices though.
If I had to pick a slope slice, I'd pick Tony's on 5th Ave (across from key food), followed maybe Antonio's (next to the movie theatre on Flatbush.
Did you know that Franny's, on the Prospect Heights side off Flatbush, is going to be a brick-over place? Let's keep our fingers crossed for tasty pies.
I just had Frank's last Tuesday, and I remember thinking at the time that it wasn't too bad for the neighborhood. Of course I was a little blotto at the time, having consumed a quantity of beer at the rock show next door.
La Villa is the best hands down. I would recommend the Pizza da Nonne, it will cost you though, $22 for a large pie. Terrific crust, motzzarella fresh tomatoes and fresh basil - it's a beautiful simple pizza.
Joe's Pizza of Bleeker St. is getting better and costs $12 for a plain cheese. Crispy crust, not much grease, so so cheese.
Two Boots- good slices in the city but for some reason the Two Boots on 2nd street is always lame. They are missing some of the key ingredients that make the East Village Two Boots a stand out (shrimp and sausage pizza, and others are not offered at the 2nd street store)
Smiling Pizza- nice neighborhoodie feel but pretty lame commercial pizza.
Fava - pretty much the best of the least. A good quality thin crust pizza with a heavy-onion based sauce. Get the fresh mozzarella and eat it there (when it is delivered it gets cold and close to inedible)
Pizza Plus- ehh uninspired commercial pizza.
Mexican Sandwich Company- has a pizza quesadilla that is actually really good. fresh tomatos, good quality mozarella though the tortilla shell crust crust is not really that great the freshness of the ingredients makes up for it...
In Park Slope I find the most consistent slice to be Pino's on 7th Ave and 1st st and Lenny's on 5th Ave and Prospect. Aniello's on 5th and 10th is good as is Mondello's on 5th and 12th. Can't say much for Smiling on 9th and 7th have tried it many times since it opened about 20 years or so ago and have always been disappointed. Also find Two Boots to be way overrated.
Pizza in the Slope is a different story since Franny's - which is world-class - hit its stride. But if you're not up for an unsliced artisanal pie and want something more standard I think La Villa is the best bet in the neighborhood - their quality doesn't match their pretensions (or prices) but they make decent pizza. I think people are being too charitable with the other P.S. offerings. Two Boots may be next best, but it's pretty weak. Antonio's and Gino's (both on Flatbush) are sorta tasty but cheap-o with rubbery crusts and always make you feel like you ate a cinderblock five minutes after the last bite. Joe's of Bleecker is worse. Roma (also 7th ave) is abysmal - tastes like bread, cheez and Ragu. And Smiling Pizza is, I suspect, an ironic joke on customers. In all fairness, they should remove the word "smiling" from their name. And then they should remove the word "pizza."
BUT - almost forgot - the little individual pizzas at Olive Vine (the Park Slope mini-chain w/ branches all over the neighborhood) are usually quite good. Not necessarily what you're picturing when you head out for a slice, but fresh and tasty and ultimately much more satisfying that anything you can get at the more traditional pizzeria's in the area.
"And Smiling Pizza is, I suspect, an ironic joke on customers. In all fairness, they should remove the word 'smiling' from their name. And then they should remove the word 'pizza.'"
This is probably the best line in any comment that's been posted to Slice. Ever.
Lenny's on 5th ave/Prospect has a great slice. It's on my way home from the subway stop so I hit it up often enough to know they're consistent. I had Pino's when I first moved to Park Slope and thought it was the worst pizza I've ever had. What's with canned mushrooms around here? Everyone loves their New York Pizza, but I'm a Boston guy and can say I've had much better back home (Pizzeria Regina in the North End if anyone ventures). Yep, hate the Yankees, but love NY/Brooklyn so don't get all mad now :-).
Are you people crazy? Joe's of Bleeker St. on 7th is basically the same slice as the Joe's in the West Village, routinely cited as the best slice joint in NYC. What are all these slags on Joe's all about...Manhattan envy, maybe?
If you've ever really eaten the heavenly thin slices at the two Joe's locations in Manhattan (the ones that really ARE on Bleecker St.) you'd know that the joint in Park Slope is abusing the name with its tasteless, undersauced 'za. There is excellent pizza in Park Slope, but unfortunately no fab slices. For great great pies, La Villa (5th Ave.), Pepperoncino (5th Ave. & St. Marks) and Franny's (Flatbush) are the best -- in reverse order. For the best *slices* in Brooklyn (maybe in NYC), you must visit DiFara on Avenue J and 15th Street.
Try ROMA again, I swear. They don't deliver to me in the south Slope, but I gladly walk way up 7th to get ROMA's fresh mozz slices. They are $2.50 (a pie is $14) but TOTALLY worth it. Great sauce, great crust and fresh mozz! I think I've tried everything else in the Slope over 5 years -- I just keep going back to ROMA.
I am fully aware that most of you yuppies barely walk past prospect avenue and fifth ave but living in park slope twenty eight years I can positively tell you the best pizza in park slope is this little family ownned and employed pizzeria on 21 street and fifth avenue. My main man Gio is the pizza master and his mama will whip up any old italian favorite you desire at an affordable price. ( Can I suggest the chicken and tomato slice)
Thanks for the tip, mad&Pete. Don't know if I'm one of those yuppies, but I often make it near 21st, on trips to Eagle Provisions for kielbasa, etc. (And for trips to the 30th@4th White Castle. So I'll check out Gio's place.
it would be unforgivable to judge the park slope areas pizza without a visit to luigi's on 5th ave. on 21st.the best thin crust pizza in park slope-if not the world.its been family owned and operated for over 30 years.Gio makes everything RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES the best ingredients+old school know how=the best heros, rolls,calzones money can buy.i would write more but ive decided to go to luigi's right now-wait- did i mention the ziti?fuhgetabout it.listen to me go to luigi's -bring the kids.
Yes!! THAT'S the comment I was looking for! I have lived in this 'hood for 2 years, and have always been fairly disappointed in the pies. When I first came to NY 22 years ago I started out eating Fascati pizza on Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights, and that became the style and standard that I judge other pizza by. Lennie's is nearby, and has lots of character, but I never liked the pies enough to order a whole pie.
On my return from a delightful visit to Time Warner (die! die! die!) today, I noticed Luigi's, and was about to seethe right by, when I caught a glimpse of the pies. Hmm ... nice thin crust, right amount of sauce, even a fresh mozzerella option. Gotta try it.
I was not disappointed! In fact, it turned my foul, black mood around, and even prompted me to google park slope pizza places, which led to the discovery of this fine site. Both slices were delicious; thin, crispy crust, great balance of cheese vs. sauce, fresh and tasty ingredients. I ended up enjoying the regular cheese version better, but that may just be my Fascati bias surfacing.
Giovanni is great too, we had a good chat, and he says they just got voted #1 old-style pizza in Brooklyn. Give 'em a try!
I was the original guy who wrote in over two years ago, still in Park Slope but with another kid. I eat Pizza now more than ever. The two best pizzas I have had so far are at: Anthony Brick Oven Pizza on 7th and Jo's Pizza on Prospect Pk West in Windsor Terrace.
Dan--totally agree about Joe's pizza in Windsor Terrace. I live on the border of the south Slope and the Terrace and I always take the walk over for the slice at Joe's. Very good.
Frannys, Anthonys etc.. But when I want a perfect "regular" pie, we order from Lenny's Pizzeria at 594 5th Ave, 718-788-8928 $11.00 a pie and on Wed/2 pies for $14.00 pickup only The sauce is excellent and cooked, so you won't be burping it up, not too much cheese and the crust is crisp. However, I heat the oven to 450 and when the pizza arrives we put the slices in to get the super crisp crust I like. And then some fresh basil! Perfect and they come to you. I order every Friday.
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No, not this lil' shaver at left. We don't even know if he's from Brooklyn, much less Park Slope. And being childless, we'd have no clue how to help him. But a baby does have something to do with this entry, so let's cut to the chase. A reader in Park Slope writes: 
26 Comments:
the only park slope pizza i've ever had was at adam's. yum.
Slice janelle at 8:45PM on 03/11/04
There's a new-ish place on 6th Ave, somewhere around St. Marks (?) that has decent slices. But for the most part, the slices in the Slope have never blown me away.
Slice Glenn at 2:40PM on 03/12/04
That's odd. I walk up Saint Mark's (from 5th to 6th/Flatbush) quite often and I haven't noticed a new-ish place. As soon as I finish this comment, I'm off to investigate. Thanks, Glenn.
Adam Kuban at 2:08PM on 03/13/04
Hello! I just found your site. LOVE IT!
As a fellow sloper, I would have to agree that there is a dearth of tasty pizza in the Slope. I haven't tried La Villa on 5th Ave yet -- it's supposed to pretty good. i don't know if they do slices though.
If I had to pick a slope slice, I'd pick Tony's on 5th Ave (across from key food), followed maybe Antonio's (next to the movie theatre on Flatbush.
Did you know that Franny's, on the Prospect Heights side off Flatbush, is going to be a brick-over place? Let's keep our fingers crossed for tasty pies.
Slice astrid at 7:46PM on 03/13/04
Thanks so much for helping me out. My whole family appreciates it.
Dan
Slice Dan Greenberg at 7:24PM on 03/14/04
I just had Frank's last Tuesday, and I remember thinking at the time that it wasn't too bad for the neighborhood. Of course I was a little blotto at the time, having consumed a quantity of beer at the rock show next door.
Adam Kuban at 7:28PM on 03/14/04
La Villa is the best hands down. I would recommend the Pizza da Nonne, it will cost you though, $22 for a large pie. Terrific crust, motzzarella fresh tomatoes and fresh basil - it's a beautiful simple pizza.
Joe's Pizza of Bleeker St. is getting better and costs $12 for a plain cheese. Crispy crust, not much grease, so so cheese.
Slice matt at 5:21PM on 05/13/04
Park Slope is devoid of good pizza.
Two Boots- good slices in the city but for some reason the Two Boots on 2nd street is always lame. They are missing some of the key ingredients that make the East Village Two Boots a stand out (shrimp and sausage pizza, and others are not offered at the 2nd street store)
Smiling Pizza- nice neighborhoodie feel but pretty lame commercial pizza.
Fava - pretty much the best of the least. A good quality thin crust pizza with a heavy-onion based sauce. Get the fresh mozzarella and eat it there (when it is delivered it gets cold and close to inedible)
Pizza Plus- ehh uninspired commercial pizza.
Mexican Sandwich Company- has a pizza quesadilla that is actually really good. fresh tomatos, good quality mozarella though the tortilla shell crust crust is not really that great the freshness of the ingredients makes up for it...
Slice Spooner at 1:12PM on 06/22/04
In Park Slope I find the most consistent slice to be Pino's on 7th Ave and 1st st and Lenny's on 5th Ave and Prospect. Aniello's on 5th and 10th is good as is Mondello's on 5th and 12th. Can't say much for Smiling on 9th and 7th have tried it many times since it opened about 20 years or so ago and have always been disappointed. Also find Two Boots to be way overrated.
Slice johnnymutz at 8:45AM on 08/10/04
Pizza in the Slope is a different story since Franny's - which is world-class - hit its stride. But if you're not up for an unsliced artisanal pie and want something more standard I think La Villa is the best bet in the neighborhood - their quality doesn't match their pretensions (or prices) but they make decent pizza. I think people are being too charitable with the other P.S. offerings. Two Boots may be next best, but it's pretty weak. Antonio's and Gino's (both on Flatbush) are sorta tasty but cheap-o with rubbery crusts and always make you feel like you ate a cinderblock five minutes after the last bite. Joe's of Bleecker is worse. Roma (also 7th ave) is abysmal - tastes like bread, cheez and Ragu. And Smiling Pizza is, I suspect, an ironic joke on customers. In all fairness, they should remove the word "smiling" from their name. And then they should remove the word "pizza."
Slice Andy at 3:24PM on 08/11/04
BUT - almost forgot - the little individual pizzas at Olive Vine (the Park Slope mini-chain w/ branches all over the neighborhood) are usually quite good. Not necessarily what you're picturing when you head out for a slice, but fresh and tasty and ultimately much more satisfying that anything you can get at the more traditional pizzeria's in the area.
Slice Andy at 3:27PM on 08/11/04
"And Smiling Pizza is, I suspect, an ironic joke on customers. In all fairness, they should remove the word 'smiling' from their name. And then they should remove the word 'pizza.'"
This is probably the best line in any comment that's been posted to Slice. Ever.
Adam Kuban at 3:45PM on 08/11/04
Lenny's on 5th ave/Prospect has a great slice. It's on my way home from the subway stop so I hit it up often enough to know they're consistent. I had Pino's when I first moved to Park Slope and thought it was the worst pizza I've ever had. What's with canned mushrooms around here? Everyone loves their New York Pizza, but I'm a Boston guy and can say I've had much better back home (Pizzeria Regina in the North End if anyone ventures). Yep, hate the Yankees, but love NY/Brooklyn so don't get all mad now :-).
Slice MP at 3:24PM on 09/04/04
Are you people crazy? Joe's of Bleeker St. on 7th is basically the same slice as the Joe's in the West Village, routinely cited as the best slice joint in NYC. What are all these slags on Joe's all about...Manhattan envy, maybe?
Slice TJ at 12:39PM on 11/11/04
Try Pizza by the Park just off 5th Avenue on 3rd Street. It's fairly new but quite good! :)
Slice Holly at 1:50PM on 02/10/05
If you've ever really eaten the heavenly thin slices at the two Joe's locations in Manhattan (the ones that really ARE on Bleecker St.) you'd know that the joint in Park Slope is abusing the name with its tasteless, undersauced 'za. There is excellent pizza in Park Slope, but unfortunately no fab slices. For great great pies, La Villa (5th Ave.), Pepperoncino (5th Ave. & St. Marks) and Franny's (Flatbush) are the best -- in reverse order. For the best *slices* in Brooklyn (maybe in NYC), you must visit DiFara on Avenue J and 15th Street.
Slice Masu at 8:24PM on 03/12/05
Try ROMA again, I swear. They don't deliver to me in the south Slope, but I gladly walk way up 7th to get ROMA's fresh mozz slices. They are $2.50 (a pie is $14) but TOTALLY worth it. Great sauce, great crust and fresh mozz! I think I've tried everything else in the Slope over 5 years -- I just keep going back to ROMA.
Slice bkjj40a at 6:00PM on 04/28/05
I am fully aware that most of you yuppies barely walk past prospect avenue and fifth ave but living in park slope twenty eight years I can positively tell you the best pizza in park slope is this little family ownned and employed pizzeria on 21 street and fifth avenue. My main man Gio is the pizza master and his mama will whip up any old italian favorite you desire at an affordable price. ( Can I suggest the chicken and tomato slice)
Slice mad&Pete at 1:05AM on 02/23/06
Thanks for the tip, mad&Pete. Don't know if I'm one of those yuppies, but I often make it near 21st, on trips to Eagle Provisions for kielbasa, etc. (And for trips to the 30th@4th White Castle. So I'll check out Gio's place.
Adam Kuban at 3:50AM on 02/23/06
it would be unforgivable to judge the park slope areas pizza without a visit to luigi's on 5th ave. on 21st.the best thin crust pizza in park slope-if not the world.its been family owned and operated for over 30 years.Gio makes everything RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES the best ingredients+old school know how=the best heros, rolls,calzones money can buy.i would write more but ive decided to go to luigi's right now-wait- did i mention the ziti?fuhgetabout it.listen to me go to luigi's -bring the kids.
Slice peter&debbie at 6:42PM on 02/25/06
Yes!! THAT'S the comment I was looking for! I have lived in this 'hood for 2 years, and have always been fairly disappointed in the pies. When I first came to NY 22 years ago I started out eating Fascati pizza on Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights, and that became the style and standard that I judge other pizza by. Lennie's is nearby, and has lots of character, but I never liked the pies enough to order a whole pie.
On my return from a delightful visit to Time Warner (die! die! die!) today, I noticed Luigi's, and was about to seethe right by, when I caught a glimpse of the pies. Hmm ... nice thin crust, right amount of sauce, even a fresh mozzerella option. Gotta try it.
I was not disappointed! In fact, it turned my foul, black mood around, and even prompted me to google park slope pizza places, which led to the discovery of this fine site. Both slices were delicious; thin, crispy crust, great balance of cheese vs. sauce, fresh and tasty ingredients. I ended up enjoying the regular cheese version better, but that may just be my Fascati bias surfacing.
Giovanni is great too, we had a good chat, and he says they just got voted #1 old-style pizza in Brooklyn. Give 'em a try!
Slice Gabe at 4:10PM on 03/29/06
I was the original guy who wrote in over two years ago, still in Park Slope but with another kid. I eat Pizza now more than ever. The two best pizzas I have had so far are at: Anthony Brick Oven Pizza on 7th and Jo's Pizza on Prospect Pk West in Windsor Terrace.
Slice Dan Greenberg at 8:27PM on 07/12/06
Luigi's on 5th & approx. 20th St. is among the best in the city.
Slice Mario at 9:23PM on 08/01/06
Dan--totally agree about Joe's pizza in Windsor Terrace. I live on the border of the south Slope and the Terrace and I always take the walk over for the slice at Joe's. Very good.
Slice Margaret at 9:08PM on 08/04/06
Tomato and Basil on 4th avenue and Union is pretty good.
Slice MrWynn at 11:38PM on 08/12/06
Frannys, Anthonys etc.. But when I want a perfect "regular" pie, we order from Lenny's Pizzeria at 594 5th Ave, 718-788-8928 $11.00 a pie and on Wed/2 pies for $14.00 pickup only The sauce is excellent and cooked, so you won't be burping it up, not too much cheese and the crust is crisp. However, I heat the oven to 450 and when the pizza arrives we put the slices in to get the super crisp crust I like. And then some fresh basil! Perfect and they come to you. I order every Friday.
Slice Carla at 8:07PM on 11/08/06