Slice reader BSD just chimed in in the comments section of our "Slice Crisis?" entry. We thought his bit of wisdom was worth highlighting. So often, this site and others merely complain about the crap pizza here in the city without telling you how to be proactive in finding a decent slice. BSD advises:
You can still find good pizza at random joints. Good predictors:
1. Is it the only location you know of? Chains tend to suck, and even mini chains are rarely as good as fully independent shops.
2. How much space do they devote to "ready" pies? None is best (the legendary places), and a long row with little nameplates (OFRay's) is worst.
3. What else do they do besides pizza? Again, "nothing" (the legendary places) is best, and burgers, wraps & toss-your-own-salads are a bad sign. Heroes and some perfunctory pasta dishes are OK, I find.
4. Is there a guy making pies as you stand there? If the pie is tossed when you order, that's a very good sign. If you can't for the life of you figure out where they actually assemble the dough-sauce-cheese-etc, go somewhere else. But even if you're getting a slice off of a ready pie from the counter, continual tossing is reassuring.
I drove a starving friend crazy a couple of months ago, dragging her through Bay Ridge while explaining the criteria--every one of which you mentioned--I was using to find a place to get a slice. Pizza Wagon met all of them, and produced an excellent slice. (Old Italian ladies sitting in the plastic booths is a good sign, too!)
Oooh. Fond memories of Pizza Wagon. It's where I really learned how to order a slice in New York City. The guys there are ruthlessly efficient, and if you don't speak up, you're passed up. Weird name for a pizzeria, but a good slice. And they're open late. --Adam
I live in the Poconos and if you just used number 4 you could draw the line between good and bad out here. But, the one really good place I've been is Penn Pizza in Allentown PA. Small corner joint on 19th street. A few tables/booths. Somebody is always making pies when I go in there. And they never have a slice pie hiding under the counter. It's always. can you wait we have a fresh one in the oven or they just pulled one out. Always fresh!!! Good place!!!!
I always find the best slices come out of the freshest pies! Thankfully, hubby eats six slices, leaving me two, and that makes a large pie! We have our pizzeria on speed dial on our cellphones so we call ahead to pick up. And yes, there's always the same sweet guy making fresh pies. Pizza - it's like a religion.
Yes I was the artist in Corona for a good number of years and have painted a lot of places there Lemon Ice king and all you will see quite a few grate places on my site and in the Bank they have one wall with prints of some of my art work .Yes I used to sell some of my originals and a lot of prints and when I moved out of Corona I gave a lot of originals and prints to my friends and the VFW .Yes it was good .
Rizzo's makes the most amazing pizza in New York, the crust is thin but chewy, all slices are the same price, they also make calzones as well. I can't believe this establishment is not listed on this website because its easily the best slice of pizza in NYC.
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7 Comments:
I drove a starving friend crazy a couple of months ago, dragging her through Bay Ridge while explaining the criteria--every one of which you mentioned--I was using to find a place to get a slice. Pizza Wagon met all of them, and produced an excellent slice. (Old Italian ladies sitting in the plastic booths is a good sign, too!)
Slice BaHa at 9:33PM on 10/05/06
Oooh. Fond memories of Pizza Wagon. It's where I really learned how to order a slice in New York City. The guys there are ruthlessly efficient, and if you don't speak up, you're passed up. Weird name for a pizzeria, but a good slice. And they're open late. --Adam
Adam Kuban at 10:15PM on 10/05/06
I live in the Poconos and if you just used number 4 you could draw the line between good and bad out here. But, the one really good place I've been is Penn Pizza in Allentown PA. Small corner joint on 19th street. A few tables/booths. Somebody is always making pies when I go in there. And they never have a slice pie hiding under the counter. It's always. can you wait we have a fresh one in the oven or they just pulled one out. Always fresh!!! Good place!!!!
Slice Puck at 7:33PM on 10/06/06
I always find the best slices come out of the freshest pies! Thankfully, hubby eats six slices, leaving me two, and that makes a large pie! We have our pizzeria on speed dial on our cellphones so we call ahead to pick up. And yes, there's always the same sweet guy making fresh pies. Pizza - it's like a religion.
Slice ilana at 9:39PM on 10/06/06
Great post!! Ilana where are you from? where's that pizzeria? i have the feeling wer'e talking about the same place!!
Slice pizza man at 6:56PM on 10/10/06
Yes I was the artist in Corona for a good number of years and have painted a lot of places there Lemon Ice king and all you will see quite a few grate places on my site and in the Bank they have one wall with prints of some of my art work .Yes I used to sell some of my originals and a lot of prints and when I moved out of Corona I gave a lot of originals and prints to my friends and the VFW .Yes it was good .
Slice Richard J Finnell at 12:33AM on 11/27/06
Rizzo's makes the most amazing pizza in New York, the crust is thin but chewy, all slices are the same price, they also make calzones as well. I can't believe this establishment is not listed on this website because its easily the best slice of pizza in NYC.
Slice Joe Nerolo at 9:10PM on 01/05/07