Where to Find the Best Slice in NYC (Because Joey Would Want Me to Know)
Okay, so here's the thing—I live in New York City, and yet somehow, I have never taken it upon myself to find the best pizza slice in town. Shocking, I know. Joey would be ashamed. Monica would be concerned. And Ross—well, he's probably giving me a lecture on the historical origins of pizza right now.
But today, I set out to fix this. I grabbed my most comfortable pair of walking heels (yes, they exist!), threw on an effortlessly chic yet completely planned outfit, and hit the streets in search of the perfect slice.
The Rules (Because Yes, Even I Need Some Structure)
I wasn’t just going to walk into any random place with a neon “Pizza” sign and call it the best. No, no. There were guidelines:
- 🍕 Must be a classic slice – No fancy toppings to distract from the real deal. This is about the purity of NY pizza.
- 🍕 Foldability is key – If I can’t fold it and eat it while running late to something important, is it even a New York slice?
- 🍕 Cheese-to-sauce ratio – Too much sauce, and I feel like I’m drowning in tomato; too much cheese, and we enter lasagna territory.
- 🍕 Bonus points if they know my name by the second visit – Because I would very much like to have a neighborhood pizza place where I can walk in and say, “The usual.”
So with that in mind, here are the places that made the cut:
1. Joe’s Pizza (Greenwich Village)
If you’ve lived in New York for more than five minutes, you’ve heard of this place. It’s kind of like the Chanel bag of pizza—classic, timeless, and everybody wants a piece. The crust is perfectly crispy, the cheese bubbles just enough, and the grease-to-dough ratio is chef’s kiss. Also, I saw a guy in a tuxedo casually eating a slice here. That has to count for something.
Rachel's Verdict: "Simple, comforting, and all-around perfect. If NYC pizza had a poster child, this would be it."
2. Prince Street Pizza (SoHo)
Okay, this one is sliiiightly controversial because it’s technically known for its Sicilian slices—but I don’t make the rules (except I just made some rules, so that’s confusing, but whatever). The pepperoni slice is famous, but even the plain cheese slice has this beautiful, crispy-edged crust that tastes like it was kissed by the pizza gods. It’s thicker than the typical NY slice but still foldable, which, for me, is a win-win.
Rachel's Verdict: "If I could put this crust in my purse and eat it as a snack throughout the day, I absolutely would."
3. Scarr’s Pizza (Lower East Side)
This place is cooler than I will ever be, and I have very mixed feelings about that. The crust is made from whole grain flour they mill in-house (fancy, right?), and somehow, it still tastes like classic NYC pizza, but with bonus points for making me feel slightly healthier while devouring it. Also, the '70s-inspired interior makes me feel like I should be wearing oversized sunglasses and pretending I’m in an old-school movie.
Rachel's Verdict: "You walk in for a slice, and suddenly, you're the effortlessly cool NYC girl you always dreamed you’d be."
4. Lucali (Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn)
Alright, this one is cheating a tiny bit because Lucali is sit-down, and it’s definitely the kind of place you’d take a date to impress them (unless the date is me, in which case, order extra garlic knots and call it a night). The pizza is thin, crispy, and perfectly charred. It tastes like a romantic evening in Italy and a hangover cure all at once. I don’t know how they do it, but I’m fine with not asking questions.
Rachel's Verdict: "If romance had a flavor, this pizza would be it."
The Final Slice
So, after a very grueling (read: completely delicious) day of research, I have concluded that New York has too many amazing pizza spots, and choosing one is like choosing between a Birkin and a vintage Chanel—it simply cannot be done.
But if you’re looking for a classic, can’t-go-wrong slice? Joe’s Pizza in Greenwich Village is my top pick. It’s got everything you want in a New York slice—thin, crispy, cheesy, and requires at least three napkins.
So there you go, Joey—I did my pizza homework. And yes, I may have eaten my weight in cheese today, but honestly? I regret nothing.
Now, if you need me, I’ll be lying on my couch in a very fashionable food coma.
XO, Rachel
