Other Cities
Bleecker Street Pizza
The Scoop: Doug Greenwood is no stranger to the words, "That's the greatest slice of pizza I've ever put in my mouth." For years he's been hearing it from the likes of the Food Network, longtime regulars and pizza-loving celebs, like Jimmy Kimmel and Regis Philbin, plus his own friends and four generations of family. Heck, even Doug himself has been known to say it—but to his grandmother, not to himself. Because long before the retired Police Captain opened Bleecker Street Pizza, he and a select few others were enjoying the same crispy, thin crust, zesty sauce and cheese-sprinkled goodness that's made his West Village pizza shop famous, served fresh and piping hot, right out of his Nonna Maria's oven. Back then, everyone used to jest that if the pizza were ever sold, it'd be the best pie out there. These days, those claims are no joke; they're bona fide awards. So, thank you, Nonna Maria and thank you, grandson Doug. The world agrees: Bleecker Street Pizza has the best slice around. No kidding.
Scout Notes: In a city where “best pizza” claims are as common as honking yellow cars, it can be hard to determine who to believe and where to eat. Hear me when I say, "Bleecker Street Pizza." The reason for the shotgun-style pizzeria's domination is simple: Owner Doug Greenwood's used the best, most expensive ingredients he can get his hands on and he make no secret of it. Instead, he openly mixes Rocca Parmigiano—considered the finest parm out there—into the "Regular" pizza sauce, sprinkles it atop all the other pies, air-ships their basil in to ensure fresh, authentic quality and banks on the fact that no other pizza place would be wiling to incur the same kind of cost. And you know what? He's been dead on. So, you might as well settle in with a beer or some wine as you chow down. I'm telling you now, there's no way you'll be able to tear yourself away anytime soon.
The truth of the matter is no pizza place has been able to stand up to Bleecker Street Pizza since it opened in 2004, when Doug hung his Police Captain's hat and decided it was time to create a tribute to his favorite childhood memory. Celebrating his Nonna (who left Tuscany at age 19) and her legendary pies (which she claimed were the reason her husband married her), Bleecker Street Pizza is home to what I and many more official opinions consider to be the perfect example of purist pizza: The "Nonna Maria," a house favorite, is made up of crispy, thin crust, just sturdy enough to hold up dollops of chunky, garlicky marinara, sprinkled with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and covered in similarly treated mozzarella. Of course, if you're a fold-or-die kind of pie-fan, order up the more malleable "Grandma." Whether your face stuffing goes down at 12 p.m. or 4 a.m., sinking your teeth into that thick, old-world flavor-fest will be an almost religious experience. I swear to Nonna.
Menu Highlights:
Nonna Maria, $3 (slice) or $20 (pie)
Grandma, $3 (slice) or $20 (pie)
House Special Pie (everything on it), $25
Hours:
Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Scout Notes: In a city where “best pizza” claims are as common as honking yellow cars, it can be hard to determine who to believe and where to eat. Hear me when I say, "Bleecker Street Pizza." The reason for the shotgun-style pizzeria's domination is simple: Owner Doug Greenwood's used the best, most expensive ingredients he can get his hands on and he make no secret of it. Instead, he openly mixes Rocca Parmigiano—considered the finest parm out there—into the "Regular" pizza sauce, sprinkles it atop all the other pies, air-ships their basil in to ensure fresh, authentic quality and banks on the fact that no other pizza place would be wiling to incur the same kind of cost. And you know what? He's been dead on. So, you might as well settle in with a beer or some wine as you chow down. I'm telling you now, there's no way you'll be able to tear yourself away anytime soon.
The truth of the matter is no pizza place has been able to stand up to Bleecker Street Pizza since it opened in 2004, when Doug hung his Police Captain's hat and decided it was time to create a tribute to his favorite childhood memory. Celebrating his Nonna (who left Tuscany at age 19) and her legendary pies (which she claimed were the reason her husband married her), Bleecker Street Pizza is home to what I and many more official opinions consider to be the perfect example of purist pizza: The "Nonna Maria," a house favorite, is made up of crispy, thin crust, just sturdy enough to hold up dollops of chunky, garlicky marinara, sprinkled with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and covered in similarly treated mozzarella. Of course, if you're a fold-or-die kind of pie-fan, order up the more malleable "Grandma." Whether your face stuffing goes down at 12 p.m. or 4 a.m., sinking your teeth into that thick, old-world flavor-fest will be an almost religious experience. I swear to Nonna.
Menu Highlights:
Nonna Maria, $3 (slice) or $20 (pie)
Grandma, $3 (slice) or $20 (pie)
House Special Pie (everything on it), $25
Hours:
Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 a.m.
