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.
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