Mama’s Too
Upper West Side, West Village
Although Mama’s Too has since joined the coterie of trendy West Village eateries New York is known for, my induction into its cult following was at the original location in the Upper West Side and that’s where I want to send you. A relatively “meh” corner when it comes to the city’s culinary offerings, the UWS was in desperate need of a neighborhood hero like Mama’s Too. Founder Frank Tuttolomondo was born to be a pizzaiolo: After all, his grandmother Maria Nina opened the original Mama’s Pizza in 1959. While you could pay tribute to the original, this is one of those rare instances where the modern-day redux blows tradition out of the water. While I’ve written about the slices at Mama’s Too in our UWS guide and our story on New York City’s most iconic foods, it bears saying thrice: airy Roman dough that crisps up like a cookie around the edges serve as the perfect foundation to sop up intense flavor combos like the Angry Nonna, Tuttolomondo’s tribute to grandma that includes hot Sopressata, Calabrian chili oil, and aged mozz, or my personal favorite, the poached pear pie—its marriage of crumbly, creamy gorgonzola with bites of pear right on the edge of dissolve is nothing short of divine. —Kat Chen
Turbo Pizza
Bushwick
What’s nice about Turbo Pizza in Bushwick is that it serves dual functions: pizza restaurant and quasi-dive bar. I say quasi- with regard to the latter, because it’s too new and too nice inside, with a cocktail program that’s a little too thoughtful to actually qualify in that category despite its supremely casual stylings and pool table to boot. But pizza is in the name, pizza is what they serve, and the pizza is very good. It’s Detroit-style, a relative rarity around these parts, meaning it’s rectangular with this thick but airy crust, and the best part is undoubtedly the golden shards of cheese that crawl up the sides like jagged stalagmites. The menu is wide-ranging and customizable, with requisite cheese and pepperoni joined by such riffs as the Billy Boy with goat cheese, prosciutto, sesame seeds, and hot honey, and a Cheeseburger Pie, which is what it sounds like. That there’s a wonderful wedge salad to brighten up the plate is just icing on the cake. —Charlie Hobbs
Williamsburg Pizza
Williamsburg, Bushwick, Lower East Side, Upper East Side
If a friend from out of town visits and is looking for true, New York-style pizza, Williamsburg Pizza is at the top of my list of recommendations. The location I frequent is tucked in South Williamsburg, where you’ll find the counter-service joint is charming and no frills, with slices that taste fine and fresh. Of satisfyingly crunchy crusts and chewy interiors, there are plenty of options to choose from. My suggestion? Opt in for thick, buttery Grandma pies for a true taste of Brooklyn. [Editor’s note: You’ll also find their slices in Crown Heights and Bed-Stuy under the name “Brooklyn Pizza Crew”.] —Jessica Chapel