New York City's BEST Pizza

This man, Pasquale, is holding the best pizza pie in New York City.

Seventeen years of living in this town has seen me hit a lot of pizza joints, but, believe me, Luzzo's, at 211 First Avenue (west side of the street, between 12th and 13th; 212.473.7447) is the best, hands down.

Luzzo's makes the others seem like they don't know from pizza.


The LG Report was turned on to this mozzarella mecca by loyal reader Heff (again, not that Heff; ours had trouble just getting one girl, never mind 1,000...)  He said it was the best in New York, and man, he wasn't kidding. 

Luzzo's isn't fancy -- although you can fuggedaboutit if you're looking to buy a slice, it's whole pies only.  Like many NYC eateries,  Luzzo's isn't large; the layout is narrow and deep.  Here's a shot of the interior:

People tend to get nervous when famous bloggers (or ordinary Schmoes) take their photo in public, so I couldn't get a better shot than this without attracting the brass knuckle crowd.  As you can see, there's not a lot of room in Luzzo's. The entire width of the place runs from the chick in the Good-Humor-Man winter jacket on the far left, to Cousin Vito holding up the wall and waiting for his numbers to come in on the right.

Luzzo's is popular, thus, a wait is not uncommon for the precious few tables, so get there before - or after - usual mealtimes.  

Now to the pizza itself. 

Luzzo's makes a thin pie, but with a plump and tasty crust.  However, it's the sauce and ingredients that make this pizza standout from the competition like Reese Witherspoon at Rosie O'Donnell's family reunion.

Your initial bite will unleash an explosive medley of flavors.  My first Luzzo's pizza, last Friday night, consisted of their pitch perfect, mouth-watering crust, with large, tasty slices of fresh pepperoni and just the right amount of onions, mushrooms, basil and spiced Italian ham dancing on top.  I'm drooling onto the keyboard (more than usual) as I type.

The experience was so amazing that I returned again on Sunday for lunch.  To put it in terms of the movie "Analyze This," I wanted a fresh one.

The second pizza, a simpler creation with just basil, mushrooms and prosciutto, was just as good in its own way [by the way, those two pizzas were numbers 16 and 5 on the menu, respectively.]

After your first taste, you will find yourself dreaming about this pizza.  It's that good...

Here's another look at six slices of heaven:

Full disclosure: when I told self-described "sort of" owner Pasquale that The LG Report was publishing a review of Luzzo's, he sent over a couple of complimentary shots of limoncello:

They, too, were excellent; just lemony enough and refreshing.

If Luzzo's were a sports team, it would be the NY Yankees; if it were a movie, it would be "Animal House;" if it were a drink, it would be a Coke Slurpee.  You get the idea...


New Yorkers shouldn't still be reading this far down, they should be in a cab to Luzzo's, or on the phone ordering a delivery.  If you don't live in NYC, put Luzzo's at the very top of your "To See" list for your next visit.  You will not be disappointed. 

Don't forget the fried eggplant with mozzarella appetizer, it's another mouth-watering delicacy. 

And to think, I'm not even expecting any more free limoncello for this review...

COMING EVENTS: On Friday we'll have a review of Thursday's adventure in Martha Stewart's all-male studio audience for her "Super Bowl Show."  On Wednesday, February 3rd at noon we'll be posting Geo's Mt. Penn (PA) High School Yearbook photo -- it's sure to be good for some howls.  Comments, will, of course, be welcomed.  Don't miss it!