Patsy's Pizza - East Harlem
Row 1
Some would say this is the only existing place where you can get a proper and authentic coal-oven slice in the universe, given that its founder Pasquale "Patsy" Lancieri supposedly opened Patsy's after working with the godfather of New York City pizza, Gennaro Lombardi. True or not, this 1933 East Harlem original can claim pizza heritage most only dream of, and was reportedly one of Sinatra and DiMaggio’s favorites.
Still, the original is one of the most underrated and under-hyped pizza classics in the city. It’s a curious thing given the history and quality, though there are some caveats. Patsy’s pizza is so thin, and relatively short, that you can scarf down six slices at the counter. That’s what you’ll want to do, anyway — there’s something about this pizza that makes it miraculous just from the oven, but as exponentially unimpressive if you let it wait.
The move is to order the plain cheese, eat, and repeat — don’t order a reheat.
— Arthur Bovino, 101 Best Pizzas in America 2015, 8/6/2015
Foursquare Tips
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Their coal-fired slices are the missing link of pizza. The clear middle ground between the old world Neapolitan pies and the modern New York slice. -
I can't even eat regular pizza anymore--Patsy's has spoiled me. The thin crust, the cheese, the sauce! So good you can eat a whole pie and not feel guilty. GO HERE! You will not regret it... -
Really is the best you're going to get uptown... -
Only one of two coal-oven places in NYC that sells by the slice (the other is Sac's in Astoria) -- over in the small take-out shop near the corner. I prefer the whole plain pie with regular mozzarella -
Best pizza in manhattan -
Go here and have the greatest slice of pizza that the hand of man has ever crafted. -
The Rat Pack used to gamble in Patsy's backroom until the early hours. Even Ol' Blue Eyes knew where to find the best NY pizza. -
Really good pizza! Small slices but make up in taste.restaurant area is nice. -
If you love pizza ..... You have to eat @ Patsy's !!! -
Sooo great -
Get a thin-crust pizza slice at the take-out window and walk east one block to enjoy eating pizza with a view of the East River! -
favorite pizza spot in the city...when it's on. -
Bring your own booze (there's a liquor store at 116th) until they regain their liquor license. -
Time-tested recipes, addictive red sauce, and coal brick-baked pies have been the dishes du jour since the 1930s, when the legendary local pizza chain got its start at this very spot. -
Excellent pizza. Great for sitting down and sharing a whole pie or ordering a single slice from their to-go window. -
Opened in 1933, the original location of Patsy's is the only old school coal oven pizzeria in New York that offers pizza by the slice. The crust will make you feel as if you are in Naples. -
Best pizza I've ever had. Got 2 peroni beers and a whole pie for only 25.20 (including tax) I'll def be going back. -
Best pizza in the world!! -
Heaven. Can't go wrong with anything really -
The pizza is old world style. Then again, so are the portions in this supersized era, you'll craving more.The coal oven gives a smokey flavor to fresh slices. The nearby restaurant is an alternative.