Walking down the street, if you see a sign advertising pizza for one measly dollar, I don't care who you are, you stop in and get a slice. It's a moral duty to be this thrifty, to take advantage of a deal like that. Keep your expectations low, and you might be surprised.
Looks like pizza.
I guess the 2 Bros. people have figured out how to eke a profit using the strategy of premade components, finding a high-traffic area, and doing some serious volume.
A new branch of 2 Bros. Pizza (at 32 St. Marks Place) has opened on 6th Avenue (bet 17th and 18th), this time calling itself St. Marks 2 Bros. Pizza Plus. The new location offers the same deals, but under the rubric of a "grand opening special." A slice for $1, or two slices and a can of soda for $2.75.
The price is right, but how does it taste? The verdict, after the jump.
The pizza is reminiscent of something you'd get in a high school cafeteria or an airport: a dimpled, doughy crust; premade sauce; and greasy, flavorless cheese. The only thing they've got going for them is that the slices are super fresh. At peak hours, they're slinging pies at such a fast clip, the slices don't have time to sit under heat lamps or get reheated. Slices go straight from the oven to your paper plate. Cheap and filling, it tastes oddly soulless and corporate.
That said, however, they've found their niche, and they're super busy. No one should go out of their way to get a slice from 2 Bros., but if you're hungry (or, better yet, drunk) and happen to walk by, it'll deliver the dollar's worth of satisfaction you crave.
Not sure what the "Plus" in the name signifies, though.
For a dollar a slice, they don't want you to dawdle: the back is unfinished and totally uninviting, featuring exposed electrical outlets and harsh, fluorescent lighting. I am, however, a big fan of the tall tables in the front (pictured), allowing you a place to stand and casually wolf down your slice.
The upskirt. Dimpled.
Verdict: Totally forgettable pizza, but if you're broke, drunk, or just hungry, it'll do the job. Cheap and filling.
St. Marks 2 Bros. Pizza Plus
599 Sixth Avenue, New York NY 10011 (b/n 17th and 18th streets; map); no phone
2 Bros. Pizza
32 St. Marks Place, New York NY 10003 (map); 212-777-0600
Well, as they say, you get what you pay for. I think the dollar slices serve a need. Used to be that any pizza place was a cheap lunch. Not so much now with prices jacking. It's kinda sad, though. These places are bringing total subpar pizza to the game. How long before these proliferate to the point that people are used to awful pizza. (Not that the slices in the pre-dollar-pizza era were 100 percent spectack.)
I think a lot of people are completely used to crummy pizza, and not even at a good price. This spot near where I work, Bravo Pizza, isn't any great shakes nor do they post their prices anywhere, and people line up down the block for it. Their pricing is completely nebulous - on a recent visit, a slice of fresh mozz and a slice of pepperoni with a can of soda came to, like $8.76 or something. Places like this totally help demolish the idea that pizza, on top of being a quality lunch, should be a budget friendly option...
"Cheap and filling, it tastes oddly soulless and corporate." Hey!! I work 50 hour weeks at a company near this 2 Bros and get paid garbage. This place is my savior!! If anything this place isn't soulless and corporate because it caters to the hard working people who come into the city to work and only have a few dollars to satiate their hunger. The only people who can afford the fancy often overrated pizza are soulless and corporate goons... Yeah their pizza isn't great but I've been to other pizza places around that area that charge a lot more and doesn't taste all that much different
I found the comic strips you did for olive garden and then followed you hear..those strips were funny. My favorite was when you were folding silver wear and were very cheeky and did one with three knives. I hope whoever got that thought wow the host that did this has a sense of humor :D
I've been to the East Village branch and I totally agree with your assessment. In a battle of the .99/$1 slices, I'm backing 99 Cent Fresh Pizza.
I believe the location that's on St. Mark's was also billing the $1 slices as a "grand opening special" even though they've been open a good long while. Haven't been back since my trip in the summer. Are they still offering $1 slices, too?
Hey, Btw everyone, on the way to work this morning, I passed a 2 Bros Pizza that has yet to open up shop on 6th ave and 17th street. $1.00 slices for Chlesea and the Flatiron!!!!!
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11 Comments:
Well, as they say, you get what you pay for. I think the dollar slices serve a need. Used to be that any pizza place was a cheap lunch. Not so much now with prices jacking. It's kinda sad, though. These places are bringing total subpar pizza to the game. How long before these proliferate to the point that people are used to awful pizza. (Not that the slices in the pre-dollar-pizza era were 100 percent spectack.)
Adam Kuban at 11:20AM on 09/18/08
I think a lot of people are completely used to crummy pizza, and not even at a good price. This spot near where I work, Bravo Pizza, isn't any great shakes nor do they post their prices anywhere, and people line up down the block for it. Their pricing is completely nebulous - on a recent visit, a slice of fresh mozz and a slice of pepperoni with a can of soda came to, like $8.76 or something. Places like this totally help demolish the idea that pizza, on top of being a quality lunch, should be a budget friendly option...
JudgeFudge at 11:33AM on 09/18/08
At least your photos are nice, even if the pizza sucks. :)
roboppy at 12:13PM on 09/18/08
Well, now there's a spot on Avenue A and 12th (I think) that is underselling them. 99 cent pizza!
kathryn at 2:05PM on 09/18/08
"Cheap and filling, it tastes oddly soulless and corporate." Hey!! I work 50 hour weeks at a company near this 2 Bros and get paid garbage. This place is my savior!! If anything this place isn't soulless and corporate because it caters to the hard working people who come into the city to work and only have a few dollars to satiate their hunger. The only people who can afford the fancy often overrated pizza are soulless and corporate goons... Yeah their pizza isn't great but I've been to other pizza places around that area that charge a lot more and doesn't taste all that much different
skinnyhippo at 2:41PM on 09/18/08
broke + drunk + hungry = me.
Laurel E at 5:47PM on 09/18/08
I found the comic strips you did for olive garden and then followed you hear..those strips were funny. My favorite was when you were folding silver wear and were very cheeky and did one with three knives. I hope whoever got that thought wow the host that did this has a sense of humor :D
bharrison20 at 12:48AM on 09/19/08
I've been to the East Village branch and I totally agree with your assessment. In a battle of the .99/$1 slices, I'm backing 99 Cent Fresh Pizza.
I believe the location that's on St. Mark's was also billing the $1 slices as a "grand opening special" even though they've been open a good long while. Haven't been back since my trip in the summer. Are they still offering $1 slices, too?
BrooklynBrownie at 11:57AM on 09/19/08
Hey, Btw everyone, on the way to work this morning, I passed a 2 Bros Pizza that has yet to open up shop on 6th ave and 17th street. $1.00 slices for Chlesea and the Flatiron!!!!!
JudgeFudge at 9:17AM on 09/22/08
Clearly, we are in a depression...
1969mets at 5:25PM on 09/23/08
This place now has a stand in front with $1 for a piece of chicken or any of several sides. The pizza has gotten a bit better too imo.
drmoze at 9:04PM on 11/22/08