Let’s discuss the Pizza situation in NYC

Pizza in NYC by the slice doesn’t get much better.

I have had pizza in several different countries.  While they are all the basic foundation things: some sort of dough plus a topping, they can be drastically different in different countries, different cities, even different blocks within a city.

As our cultures melt into one big mess, it is hard to say what is true NY pizza, verses the pizzas you find in other parts of the world.  So many cultures have influenced the NY pizza that you can get almost anything.  Chicago has the deep dish, but even there you can get thin crust.  California pizzas have veggies on them but even there you can find any topping you want.

So, I went in search of the best NYC pizzas.  Now, before you jump down to see if your favorite place is on the list, remember these are MY favorite.

And before we get to my list, I want to start off by saying that the 99cent pizza is good.  Very good after a long evening.  Even better if you have just paid your rent.  But this isn’t about good cheap pizza.  This is about pizza that I crave as I sit in my kitchen 2000 miles away.  This is about pizza that you really cannot get anywhere else.

(not in any real order other than to tell my story)

Nizza on 9 and 44th. 

When I go to New York, this is where I eat.  The pizza is wonderful and the atmosphere is warm and cozy.   Ask for the bread and it comes out lightly salted with some oil.  The calamari (because the pizza takes a while to cook) is fried with slices of lemon.  (my mouth is watering just thinking about it).

Favorite pizza – Piccante, switching the sausage out for pepperoni.  (YUM)

Lombardis –  Spring & Mott

Lombardis will be on most tourist lists.   It is historical as it became the America’s first pizza place when it was licensed by NY in 1905.  The pizza here is good.  They cook it in an oven that turns the crust crispy on the bottom and you probably will have some parts slightly burnt.. yum!  This is not the fold in half kind of pizza.  This pizza is hot, simple and delish!

The wait is usually long, although they did expand awhile back.

Very casual.  Only takes cash.

RubirosaNYC – On Mulberry between Spring and Prince

The hubs and I were in the mood for pizza but the big places all had an hour wait.  We stepped into this little place and spent the whole afternoon there.  The best attraction (besides sitting at the bar and talking to the bartender) was that we had pizza by the slice.  This means variety.  However, I could have easily had anything in a whole pie.   The place is cozy, and they have more than pizza.  We ended our meal with cannoli.  Good grief.

Serafina Fabulous Pizza, 79^th and Madison

We again stumbled into this fabulous restaurant while wandering around.   This place was full of locals.  Families were getting together here.  A few tourists, but really felt like I was eating in New York.  The people that work there were great and the food was excellent.

Famous Famigilia – they are everywhere.  It is also in the airport. 

However, they are still good.  And easy to find.  So, if you find yourself starving while walking around, you can bet this will be a good stop.  They used to be small, opening their first store in 1986.  They now are world wide.   They are still good.

What are your favorite places to grab some pizza?  I would love to try something new next time I am there!  Add in comments below..