Joe's Pizza
Worth it if you're watching the budget and you only have one day.
Short answer
Is Joe's Pizza worth it?
Joe's Pizza deserves a place on most first itineraries.
The answer depends on your budget, time and travel style; the breakdown below shows who gets the most value.
The Greenwich Village slice shop, open since 1975, serving the platonic ideal of a New York plain slice.
How to do it right
- 01
Anytime; avoid the late-night bar-close rush at the busiest branch
- 02
No reservations — counter only
- 03
Mostly standing; minimal seating
- 04
A tiny, fluorescent-lit counter where you grab a foldable plain slice and eat it standing on the sidewalk.
Is it a fit?
Go if
This is your first trip to New York
If you want to taste the quintessential NYC slice, this is the easy, cheap answer.
You're watching the budget
Joe's Pizza earns the spend, even on a tight budget.
You only have one day
Short trip or not, keep Joe's Pizza.
You're traveling with kids
With kids, Joe's Pizza is an easy yes.
Think twice if
The main downside would spoil the experience
Electric for anyone chasing the real NYC slice experience; wrong for those wanting to sit, linger, or order anything fancy.
The plates that decide it
- The plain cheese slice — the whole reason to come — order it the way it's meant to be
- A fresh pepperoni slice — reliably good when it's just out of the oven
- Overloaded specialty slices — the plain is the point; keep it classic
Plan it well
- Cost
- A few dollars a slice
- Timing
- Anytime; avoid the late-night bar-close rush at the busiest branch
- Booking
- No reservations — counter only
- Allow
- 10–20 minutes
- Accessibility
- Mostly standing; minimal seating
Consider instead
Keep exploring
Top verdicts in New York
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Sources and method (2)
- Founded in 1975 by Naples-born Pino 'Joe' Pozzuoli; the original Bleecker/Carmine corner closed in 2005 and the shop reopened a few doors down at 7 Carmine Street. en.wikipedia.org ↗
- New York Magazine has named it 'Best of New York' and called it the quintessential New York slice. joespizzanyc.com ↗