Joe’s Pizza on Broadway Pizza Review

Two New York Slices from Joe’s Pizza on Broadway near Time’s Square

Joe’s Doing Huge Volume Serving Solid Slices

Joe’s Pizza is a “Greenwich Village Institution” beloved by many.  Their original location is on Carmine Street, but they now have six locations according to their website.  I was in the Times Square area and stopped by their location on Broadway to give this legendary slice a shot.  In a city that I visited twice in the COVID era, this pizzeria was one of the few where I experienced a line to get a slice of pizza.  It was very busy, but the line moved quickly thanks to the bustling kitchen full of pizza makers and what appeared to be 6 Bakers Pride ovens churning out pizza after pizza.

Beautifully golden brown crust on Joe’s Pizza on Broadway.

As I briefly waited for to order my slices, I soaked in the history of the place with its walls adorned with hundreds of photos of celebrities who had visited over the years as well as artwork of the original Joe’s location and more.  It was an impressive operation and there was an energy and excitement filling the dining area that I hadn’t seen in my many other stops throughout the city.  It felt like the New York City I had visited a few years before.  

I pointed at a plain slice and a Margherita slice (which they called something else, I couldn’t hear due to the noise) to try.  The pies were obviously fresh as they didn’t have an opportunity to age with the fast pace that they were flying off the counter and being consumed by hungry pizza lovers.  They reheated the slices, I paid, then headed outside to review them.  You can see my review in the video below.

Overall, I though the slices were really good.  They just didn’t stand out as all that unique or memorable to me – just your quintessential, very good, New York slice.  Don’t get me wrong, I’d eat this pizza every day of my life if it was available to me because this is my favorite style of pizza and was constructed and cooked just like I like it, but nothing really stood out to me as special.  The place was certainly special, and the pizza was very good: thin, crispy, cooked well done, vibrant and flavorful sauce, solid mozzarella cheese, but nothing that gave it that spark to differentiate it from any other NY slice I’ve tried over the years.

Very dark bottom crust on the NY slice from Joe’s Pizza on Broadway in New York City.

I was told by many that the Carmine Street location is really the one to try, and I have that on my list to visit in the future.  Have you visited Joe’s?  What was your opinion on the pizza?  I know it’s a favorite of many so I’m seeking perspective on this pizza.  Hit me up in the comments below.