211 8th Ave.
New York NY, 10011
212.243.3226
website
Not to be confused with the Greenwich Village institution that has since radiated out word with a few branch locations, Joe’s Pizza on Eighth Avenue is a pretty simple pizza spot. Like so many others in New York, this one purveys pizza by the slice at all hours, and taken for carry out or dining in. The experience with New York pizza is one that everyone should have. Places like this if that oh so distinctive local favorite its real charm.
This is typical New York pizza. Which is to say, it is served as a meal and a slice. you order and enormous piece of pizza to your liking, which is served on a plate and meant to be folded and eaten while walking. The secret to the pizza is in the crust. It’s flaky and crispy while the rest of the pie is soft and chewy. Institution or no, when you try the style of pizza you’re destined to remember it. Joe’s does a pretty good take on the classic, with simple cheese, or pepperoni, or other more exotic options if you like them. And spinach and mushroom is a choice if you like A pie that is a bit more on the healthy end. You get a mountain of ingredients on each piece, yet they’re not soaking with grease. It’s a perfect, refined concept idea for a city like this one.
The restaurant is delightfully simple, like many others in the city. A relatively modest storefront, each pizza is pre-made and then reheated once you order it. Entire time in the restaurant would probably be no more than five minutes even if you dine in. Hey, everything about the place is built for speed and convenience. Joe’s is a pretty good example of this long I love tradition.
Flavors to try: the spinach and mushroom pizza is particularly tasty, especially if you don’t want one of the really greasy options.
Another Food Critic 