I'm a Chicagoan transplanted to the West Coast, and thus seriously pizza starved. However, thanks to CO canceling our transcons on the way to STT, my fiancee and I will be overnight guests in NYC both ways, courtesy of CO. Thus we'd like to take advantage of NYC's fine pizza cuisine while there.

Here, and on other sites, the names of John's, Lombardi's, and Grimaldi's keep popping up. Since, our time is extremely limited, I'd like to search out the very best. Which of these three would you recommend for two one night stays? Or would you recommend someplace else?

I realize that there is often serious disagreement among pizza aficionados, but usually some consensus can be reached.

I realize that NY pizza is entirely different than Chicago pizza, and that's OK. I love all types of pizza as long as it's good! It's the half-raw, soggy, undercooked, doughy crap that California pizzerias try to pass off that really sickens me!

Looking forwards to a great pizza experience in NYC!!!

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"Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys." --P.J. O'Rourke

Perhaps go with John's Pizzeria or Joes Pizza or Lombardi's (thin crust) in Manhattan

or Gremaldis (Brooklyn)

or Nicks (Queens)

Deninios (Staten Island)

Sorry, never had a pizza in the Bronx in recent years- just hot dogs, pretzels and beer! http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/wink.gif

I recently did a mileage run to NY & went into the city for the sole purpose of eating pizza. I also brought some back to LA w/me. My favorite is Ray's on 7th at 53rd. I used to eat it for lunch AND dinner when I travelled to NY on business.
BTW, Pedone's pizza in Redondo Beach is the closest to NY that I've found in LA....and I have looked!

John's is quite good, and certainly wins on convenience, with several locations throughout Manhattan.

I personally prefer Grimaldi's in Brooklyn, however, and consider it well worth the trek. Both the crust and the cheese have more distinct and interesting flavors than at John's, and all of those people waiting in line can't be wrong, can they?

I suggest Angelo's Coal Oven Pizza on W 57th St. From Zagat's:

You "can't go wrong" with the thin-crust, coal oven-baked pies that are the mainstay of this "casual" Carnegie Hall-area option; try one of the "huge salads" too, if it will fit on the "tiny" table.




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Who is John Galt?
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To toss another suggestion in, I've always really enjoyed Patsy's Pizza (specifically the one at 509 Third Avenue).