#38: From Rave to Rant: My Honest Take on New York City's Pizza Places

A quick follow up to last week’s post. While I focused on the value I found from taking personality tests, I think there’s a lot of value in understanding others’ personality styles. This could be for a significant other, a friend, or even a co-worker. In the work context, I’ve found forming teams with members who have different personality styles is beneficial because it creates diversity of thought and leads to more balanced and reasonable outcomes. On to this week’s post.

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For my birthday in April, I decided to host a pizza and bar crawl, venturing across Brooklyn with friends. Why Brooklyn? Because Brooklyn has some of the best pizza in the world.

In doing so, I reflected with friends on all the pizza places we’ve been to. I figured it would be worth sharing some of my favorites and some of the disappointing ones.

This piece should be a fun one since pretty much everyone likes pizza, and there’s nothing that’s more of a New York City staple than a slice of pizza. I’ve tried to give an honest, unfiltered review of every place. Remember, of course, it’s just my opinion. Any snarkiness is all in good fun.

A couple notes before I dive in.

Ratings are subjective. My experience may and will likely differ from yours based on the time I went to the place, the service or ambiance, the type of slice I ordered, among other things.

There are many variables outside of pure taste. Everyone has a different opinion. I’ve tried to focus this list as much as possible on the combination of the taste plus experience. Of course, the taste also varies depending on the type of slice or pie.

I’ve broken the spots into the following buckets:

• The Standout

• The Must Go-Tos

• The Honorable Mentions

• The Disappointments

• The Want to Gos

The ranking within the groups is in alphabetical order. Unfortunately Michael Scott’s favorite pizza did not make the cut.

The Standout

Roberta’s

Roberta’s is quite literally everything I love about New York in a single place. The Bushwick location has a gorgeous outdoor backyard. The chill, hipster Brooklyn vibes set it apart from your traditional pizza place. The Neapolitan pizza is incredible, no matter what pie you get. The Bee Sting. The Lil’ Stinker. The Famous Original. You name it. They’re all unreal.

The first time I went was with a close friend in peak covid 2020 when you couldn’t eat anywhere indoors. I remember it was one of the few highlights of that year, and it came at the perfect time when life was looking a little bleak. Great pizza, great cocktails, and great vibes. What more could you want.

If there’s one pizza place you go to when you are in New York, it’s Roberta’s.

The Must Go-Tos

Ace’s Pizza

If you like Detroit Style, Ace’s in Williamsburg is your place. They’ve got a nice ambiance with a bar, outdoor seating, and the old N64 game systems so you can play Mario Kart while drinking a beer and crushing a personal pie. The pepperoni and the pepper trio are both on point.

Best Pizza

I know, I know. I was skeptical of the name, too. But Best Bagel is probably my favorite bagel spot so I figured I’d give it Best Pizza a shot. This is a great classic New York slice. Their grandma slice is sensational. Just had this again last weekend.

Fini Pizza

This pizza place is from one of the same co-owners of the famous pasta restaurants Misi and Lilia. The classic cheese is nothing to write home about, but the white slice with lemon is easily one of the best, most unique slices I’ve ever had. It’s a must-try just for how different it is than any other slice you’ll get in the city.

Joe’s

Joe’s is the definition of classic New York slice. As soon as you walk in, you’ll see the pictures of all the celebrities who’ve been there. It’s been featured in lots of movies. And best of all, it still delivers on quality late after a night out. Every single Joe’s location is consistent. Just don’t get confused by the imposters like the Joe’s Pizza on 8th Ave.

L’industrie

It can be tough to justify standing in line for this place, but the pizza hits. The classic Margherita is hard to beat. If you’re looking for something different, the burrata slice slaps as well.

Just don’t get the vegetarian pie. Had one bite and passed it off to a friend. Not a fan.

L&B Spumoni Gardens

This is the place you go to for a great Sicilian slice. One caveat, every time I’ve had it, it’s been delivered. I can’t even imagine how good it must be having it fresh. Another Brooklyn gem.

Prince Street Pizza

The pepperoni slice lives up to the hype. The last time I went I ate lunch nearby and then walked by it right after eating. I couldn’t resist. I stood in the long line to get my slice and finished it. Great decision.

Sauce Pizzeria

This spot is grossly underrated. I went in with relatively low expectations and it blew me away. The vodka slice is one of the best slices I’ve ever had. They also give you the marinara sauce on the side so you can add more. Perfect combination of flavor, dough, and crust.

The Honorable Mentions

Bleecker Street Pizza

Another slice where the crust is phenomenal. Has an extra crunch to it. If the dough and crust are a key part for your pizza experience, this one’s worth checking out. And like Joe’s, bonus points for being a perfect spot to go to for a late night craving.

Emmy Squared

Combines the grandma pie with Detroit style pizza. It wins the style points. Can’t order by the slice, but I have admittedly finished an entire pie by myself. No regrets.

F & F Pizzeria

The crust on this slice is top-notch. The regular slice is right at the benchmark of what I consider a good slice. They’ve also got some unique slices like the Cacio e Pepe and the Clam.

Mama’s Too

You have to venture up to the Upper West Side for this square slice, but if you’re in the area, it’s well worth it.

Mo’s General

Went for the first time on my birthday and was not disappointed. Nice outdoor seating and a full bar, which makes it perfect for a nice summer day in the heart of Brooklyn with a group of friends.

Scarr’s Pizza

I have a soft spot for any pepperoni slice with the hot honey. Scarr’s slice is no different.

Song’ E Napule

Great pizza and great tiramisu, too. The only downside for me was getting kicked out of our table right at 90 minutes. But I can’t fault them too much for being in high-demand.

The Disappointments

Emmett’s

Deep dish is not pizza. I’m sorry. Even if you think it is, Emmett’s is an insult to the likes of Lou Malnati’s, Giordano’s, or Pequod’s. Don’t bother getting deep dish pizza in New York City. Just get yourself a New York slice.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria

Definition of a tourist trap. I’m pretty sure I could walk the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan, walk to one of the others places on this list, grab a slice, then turn around and walk back into Brooklyn, and still have a more enjoyable experience than I would waiting in this line. The pizza wasn’t memorable at all.

John’s of Bleecker Street

Sure, it’s one of the highest rated places in New York, so I may need to go again for a redemption review. But it was such a poor experience when I went. Our entire pie was burned to the point where we actually had to send the pie back. I think they knew they messed up, too, because they didn’t say anything and they let us leave.

Leo

Pizza was so unmemorable that I can’t even tell you what pies we got. It wasn’t bad pizza. It just wasn’t good. I expected good pizza.

Lucali

Either people will tell you this is the best pizza they’ve ever had or you’ll hear it’s the worst experience they’re ever had. Never anything in-between. But here’s the thing: most of the people that love it call it “Lucali’s”. How can you take their review seriously when they can’t even get the name right?

I prefer going to places where I don’t have to show up at opening—which is 5 pm by the way— then be told I won’t be seated until 5 hours later. I also prefer places that don’t take 1.5 hours for a takeout order. I also prefer places that can handle the demand they have with the size of their restaurants. I also prefer places that offer reservations, this thing that almost every other restaurant on the planet is able to abide by.

I’m a man of the people. I can’t stand to see Beyonce and Jay-Z walk right in while we have to wait hours on end. But I digress.

Rubirosa

The first time I went, I thought it was incredible. But the last time I went, it just didn’t hit the same. Not sure if it was the pizza itself, the cold drift cooling the pizza as it came out, or the service which wouldn’t let us stagger our order. The pasta was admittedly solid. Just disappointing relative to the hype, expectations, and potential.

The Want to Go Tos

Angelo’s

Di Fara

Fornino

Joe and Pat’s

Julianna’s

Lombardi’s

Ops

Paulie Gee’s 

Razza (Jersey City)

Ribalta

Speedy Romeo 

Una Pizza Napoletana

Upside Pizza

What are your thoughts? What do you agree with? What do you vehemently disagree with? Let me know what your favorite pizza places are or share in the comments below!

Not going to lie, I started craving pizza multiple times while writing this post. Time to start checking off my want to go list.