The kinks in America's Pizza Timeline start pretty much at the beginning. Most recently, Papa's Tomato Pies in Trenton, NJ has laid claim to the title of oldest pizzeria in America—long held by Lombardi's in New York. The claim is based on the fact that Lombardi's closed for a decade and therefore can no longer call themselves the oldest. So maybe Papa's should just go for the title of "oldest continuously operated pizzeria in America"?
Yes, @alexandrak, such a post does exist, and if your boyfriend finds what I'm about to write all TL;DR, he can check it out: The 10 Best Pizzas in NYC » That's a solid list, no doubt. And if his NYC pizza research stops there, I'm sure he'd be happy. But I think simply dropping a best-of list on a New York newbie does him a bit of a disservice. After all, he's moving to a pizza mecca. I think a little context is in order.
I'll just say it: Lombardi's is kind of a big tourist thing. After having been hyped in countless national newspaper and magazine stories, guidebooks, and travel shows, this "first pizzeria in America" is pretty much packed any night of the week with people more likely to hail from Manhattan, Kansas, than Manhattan Manhattan. (OK, that's probably an exaggeration, but poetic license, you know?)
Clicking in to the Slice inbox today, another question regarding an upcoming NYC pizza itinerary. I love these questions! --The Mgmt. Adam and the Slice Crew,I will be making my first visit to New York City in a few weeks, and I don't think it would be a proper visit if I left without trying some New York pizza. With that said, I have looked over your reviews and suggestions in the past, and with my limited time and rather packed schedule I just don't think I will be able to make Di Fara work with its seemingly rather high...
Photograph from "Boppadopoulos" on Flickr New York magazine gives a rundown on where to get clam pizza in New York City: Franny's: 295 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11217 (b/n Prospect and St. Marks; map); 718-230-0221; frannysbrooklyn.comBussaco: 833 Union Street, Brooklyn NY 11217 (near Seventh Avenue; map); 718-857-8828Lombardi's: 32 Spring Street, New York NY 10012 (near Mott Street; map); 212-941-7994; firstpizza.comOtto: 1 Fifth Avenue, New York NY 10003 (corner of 8th Street; map); 212-995-9559; ottopizzeria.comFornino: 187 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11211 (at North 7th Street; map); 718-384-6004South Brooklyn Pizza: 451 Court Street, Brooklyn NY 11231 (near 4th Place; map); 718-852-6018...
Adam, Any idea just how many pizza ovens in NYC are heated with coal? Mahalo, E.J.F. Dear E.J.F., I know you've emailed a couple times about this, and my apologies for the delayed response—things have been busy at the Slice–Serious Eats office. Anyway, off the top of my head, here are all the ones I can think of. Readers, if I've forgotten any, do let me know in the comments. Hasta la pizza, Adam...
An interesting item hit the Slice inbox yesterday. OK guys, put this in your pie and smoke it! A couple of caveats: The list isn't quite as definitive as it claims to be, as it is missing any critical analysis of Staten Island, Queens, and Bronx joints. When you guys post this on the site (front page, please), perhaps you may want to refer to it as "The Definitive Manhattan and Brooklyn Top 10 List." We've all been to these places enough times to know what's going on and who's coming with their A game and who isn't. Seltzerboy, as...
AMERICAN EATS The History Channel 10 p.m. Eastern/Pacific, 9 p.m. Central Order a pizza in and get ready to watch. Or set the TiVo and go out for a pie. From the "New York Times": The migration of pizza westward — from southern Italy to New York, Chicago, Los Angeles — is the story of mutation, innovation, perversion. And in spite of the documentary's wonderfully nonjudgmental narration, viewers will find it hard not to take sides. Midwestern deep-dish types tend to see coastal pies as too wan or too fancy. Californians like their Spago-era artworks all fusioned and deluxe; I...
WORKERS ALLEGE UNPAID WAGES; SEEK DAMAGES, INTEREST DUE A Slice source forwarded us this docket (above), which details a lawsuit brought against Lombardi's on April 5 by seven former pizza deliverymen. The plaintiffs allege the pizzeria owes them unpaid wages and are seeking damages and interest due. The suit claims that the pizzeria never paid the plaintiffs the Federal minimum wage, instead paying "$20 shift — resulting in an hourly rate ranging from approximately $2.86 an hour to approximately $3.05 an hour." (The Federal Minimum Wage as of September 1, 1997, is $5.15 an hour.) Moreover, the lawsuit claims that...
Heath Ledger. 3/29/2006. Lombardi’s Pizza. 32 Spring St. 8pm. Sat down with 2 friends, in the booth right next to me. No Michelle and baby Matilda. Ordered a sausage pizza. Looks like he likes the sausage, not just in the movies. (I’m sorry, bad joke). [Gawker Stalker]...
