NYC Pizza Spots Worth Leaving Your Neighborhood For

NEW YORK CITY— Food writers singled out 27 pizzerias across 20 states for a USA Today Network guide to standout American pizza, but no New York City pizzeria made the list (the network has no NYC food-writing operation).

The guide does, however, include several pizzerias serving classic New York-style pizza.

In New York City, with over 1,000 pizza places to choose from, some argue the best slice is the one on your block.

But sometimes, the pizza in your neighborhood remains a hallmarked staple even after you leave.

When I lived in Crown Heights, Joe & Sal’s, at 842 Franklin Ave., became one of my favorites, even after I moved.

The pizza rests on its laurels: an airy, crisp crust, fresh ingredients and a balance that never lets one element overwhelm the others.

The Margherita remains a standout.

Cherry tomatoes add a burst of brightness and freshness, cutting through the richness of the cheese and giving each bite a lively, juicy finish.

Add tender grilled chicken for a heartier, exceptional pie.

As far as an established, and personal, favorite for a sit down lunch or dinner: John’s on Bleeker Pizza located at 278 Bleecker St.

Operating since 1929, John’s coal-fired pizza combines the historic char of a true Italian-style Neapolitan with the classic New York slice.

And while it’s a Greenwich Village institution that sees plenty of business, I’ve never waited more than 10 minutes for a table, even on its busiest nights.

The rustic, no-frills interior and the familial hospitality of the staff shapeshift you into an Italian family member of the operation. Forget Olive Garden. When you’re at John’s, you’re family.