Posted by correspondent, November 11, 2005 at 11:11 AM
Our readers are some of the best. We asked for reports and photos from the Lombardi's 5¢ pie day, and you delivered. (Unlike Lombardi's—cheap pies for dine-in customers only.) Below is a first-hand account. — Ed.
Words by Keven Roche .::. Photographs by Eli Berdougo .::. Went last night right after work and got there around 5:30 p.m. Line held about 100 people at that time. After about an hour, my friend and I got a table, ordered a pie with meatballs, and took in the entertainment. There was a "band" consisting of an accordion and various other instruments improvised from pizza-making equipment, such as pizza sheets, spatulas, salt shakers, and forks.
I think we were sitting next to some Lombardi family VIPs because these old men knew everyone (even the band) and kept ordering pie after pie and beer after beer. There was an ungodly racket going on throughout the place, but everyone was happy with their pies and happy to be inside after standing in line in the cold.
About the pie: It was the best pie I've had at Lombardi's. Period. Crust was crisp on the bottom and on the edges; a couple of blackened bubbles on top; nice, chewy tooth; slightly sour; terriffic. Nice distribution of meatballs and good
cheese–sauce ratio. I had stopped going to Lombardi's about a year ago because of inconsistency, and I could see other tables' pies that were very soggy and limp. Ours was crisp and chewy throughout, and we were able to pick up and fold each slice we ate. Too bad for those whose pies were subpar. Ours was delicious.
On our way out, at about 7:45 p.m., the line looked like it was twice as long as when I first began my wait. Awesome old cars out front.
Pie: 5¢
Meatballs: $3.
Pitcher of Stella: $18.
Total before tip: $21.05
I was there too. It was, frankly, awesome. I've never seen so many people clamoring for pizza in my life. After about an hour and a half of waiting, my friend and I finally were seated. We ordered a large pie with half pepperoni. It was probably the best pizza I've had from Lombardi's, which is kind of surprising given the number of people they were serving (which might normally cause a rush in the kitchen and a bit of an undercooked crust). The crust had a pretty nice smattering of charred spots and the pepperoni was sweet and spicy. (It reminded me a little of the pepperoni from good ol' Jerry's Subs and Pizza [for you Maryland area kids], which certainly isn't the best pepperoni I've had, but it is what I grew up on and so is the flavor I have in mind when I think "pepperoni," and thus is pretty satisfying) We also got a couple of sodas. The total bill? $7.35.
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I was there too. It was, frankly, awesome. I've never seen so many people clamoring for pizza in my life. After about an hour and a half of waiting, my friend and I finally were seated. We ordered a large pie with half pepperoni. It was probably the best pizza I've had from Lombardi's, which is kind of surprising given the number of people they were serving (which might normally cause a rush in the kitchen and a bit of an undercooked crust). The crust had a pretty nice smattering of charred spots and the pepperoni was sweet and spicy. (It reminded me a little of the pepperoni from good ol' Jerry's Subs and Pizza [for you Maryland area kids], which certainly isn't the best pepperoni I've had, but it is what I grew up on and so is the flavor I have in mind when I think "pepperoni," and thus is pretty satisfying) We also got a couple of sodas. The total bill? $7.35.
Slice Will at 10:36PM on 11/14/05