Hey Adam,
There's a Two Bootsopening up in Los Angeles in January, and I'd like to know if I should be even remotely excited. As of now, I am not. I've read a mix of good and bad, but I'm coming to you for the truth.
New York Pizza Tour 2 is slowly getting hashed out on this end. I'll hit you up for another round of your patented gems when we get closer.
You've pretty much summed it up when it comes to Two Boots. People here in NYC are either love 'em or meh 'em. I myself am not a huge Two Boots fan, although I do like its specialty pizza known as "The Dude." It's named for Jeff Bridges' character in The Big Lebowski and is a "Cajun bacon cheeseburger pie," topped with tasso, ground beef, cheddar, and mozzarella.
Yeah, I know you might be surprised at that, but I sorta dig it. I know your tastes run more toward the simple, minimalist pies that you ate on your original New York Pizza Tour, so The Dude might not be a blockbuster for you.
Other than that, the slices are fairly typical NYC slice-joint fare, with the notable exception that Two Boots uses builds the pie on a generous helping of cornmeal, which gives is some extra crunch. I think this is the small edge that has drawn in ardent Two Boots fans.
Given what I know about about your preferences, I'm guessing Two Boots won't appeal to you.
That said, I always like to encourage folks to try a place for themselves. Pizza tastes are subjective—that's one thing I've learned in all these years of blabbing about the stuff.
Hope that helps, Lance. And, sure, hit me up for suggestions for NYPT No. 2.
it's a pretty decent slice as far as slice joints go with a consistently crisp, thin crust and a fairly balanced sauce–cheese ratio. besides the extra cornmealy crust, two boots also distinguishes itself from other nyc sliceries with its sauce, which is known for having a bit of a kick to it.
i tend to look a pizza in roughly 3 categories. the no-slice pizzerias, the single slice purveyors, and then the mass producing delivery services. quality tends to descend from one category to the next. i would would give two boots 4 out of 5 stars for a slice shop, but it's certainly not as good as the vast majority of no-slice establishments.
Two Boots is not great pizza, especially not for the traditionalist and certainly not worth going out of your way for-- but I do like a few of their specialty slices. In particular, the Mr. Pink. And the cornmeal crispy crust is nice. But it's not up to par with the best pizzerias and it's not a real authentic NY-style slice. It's its own style.
I lived in LA pre-Mozza, so admittedly I don't know what it's like now... but if it's anything like it was when I lived there (2005) I feel like Two Boots will be a much better than average pizza option in a town like L.A.
Totally agree with egadman about the no-slice vs. slice thing... in other words, it's the kind of place you'll go in for 2 slices of pizza with crazy toppings, as opposed to a place you go with a group and order one large minimalist pie.
I also agree with egad and Zach... really, there is a time and a place for everything and Two Boots is pretty good for when you occasionally want to drift away from a traditional slice. I wouldn't go there and order a plain slice or a sausage or pepperoni slice. But every once in a while, it's a nice change to have a crispy cornmeal crust with some crazy toppings and pesto sauces (!?), Check out the menu http://www.twoboots.com/TW2008/Menus08/Bleecker1.html I used to live a block away from the Ave A location, and was a fan of the Tony Clifton (wild mushrooms, vidalia onions, red pepper pesto) and the Mel Cooley (white pizza with roasted peppers, sun dried tomatoes and basil pesto).
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Hey Adam,
10 Comments:
I like two boots not for the pizza but mostly for the margaritas and other tequila laced concoctions.
bobbob at 12:09PM on 12/12/08
not too excite unless the pizza is quite awful in l.a. anyway there are much worse to be had.
nextgospel at 1:21PM on 12/12/08
it's a pretty decent slice as far as slice joints go with a consistently crisp, thin crust and a fairly balanced sauce–cheese ratio. besides the extra cornmealy crust, two boots also distinguishes itself from other nyc sliceries with its sauce, which is known for having a bit of a kick to it.
i tend to look a pizza in roughly 3 categories. the no-slice pizzerias, the single slice purveyors, and then the mass producing delivery services. quality tends to descend from one category to the next. i would would give two boots 4 out of 5 stars for a slice shop, but it's certainly not as good as the vast majority of no-slice establishments.
egadman at 1:33PM on 12/12/08
Eh, I mean, 'sgood and all, but in New York, you got options.....
JudgeFudge at 1:55PM on 12/12/08
Two Boots is not great pizza, especially not for the traditionalist and certainly not worth going out of your way for-- but I do like a few of their specialty slices. In particular, the Mr. Pink. And the cornmeal crispy crust is nice. But it's not up to par with the best pizzerias and it's not a real authentic NY-style slice. It's its own style.
andrewr at 2:04PM on 12/12/08
Its OK not something I would get unless I was nearby and real hungry. Wouldn't be my first choice that is for sure
sledneck at 2:27PM on 12/12/08
I lived in LA pre-Mozza, so admittedly I don't know what it's like now... but if it's anything like it was when I lived there (2005) I feel like Two Boots will be a much better than average pizza option in a town like L.A.
Totally agree with egadman about the no-slice vs. slice thing... in other words, it's the kind of place you'll go in for 2 slices of pizza with crazy toppings, as opposed to a place you go with a group and order one large minimalist pie.
Zach Brooks at 4:05PM on 12/12/08
I also agree with egad and Zach... really, there is a time and a place for everything and Two Boots is pretty good for when you occasionally want to drift away from a traditional slice. I wouldn't go there and order a plain slice or a sausage or pepperoni slice. But every once in a while, it's a nice change to have a crispy cornmeal crust with some crazy toppings and pesto sauces (!?), Check out the menu http://www.twoboots.com/TW2008/Menus08/Bleecker1.html I used to live a block away from the Ave A location, and was a fan of the Tony Clifton (wild mushrooms, vidalia onions, red pepper pesto) and the Mel Cooley (white pizza with roasted peppers, sun dried tomatoes and basil pesto).
Big B at 11:55AM on 12/15/08
nah -- i'm a brooklyn pizza child and i'm tellin' ya - give it a pass.... unless you're really hungry.
pooch at 5:33PM on 12/19/08
the best NY style pizza in LA is Purgatory Pizza. I doubt this can top it, but I'll give it a try.
dinahtalks at 11:57PM on 12/28/08