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Lombardi's 5¢ Pie Deal: Field Report
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