Forget politics or religion: There may not be anything as divisive in NYC as one’s allegiance to a specific pizzeria. With its charred-wood–fired pies, Paulie Gee’s quickly became a cult favorite in Greenpoint. So when they announced a spin-off slice shop a few blocks away, it naturally got the neighborhood’s attention.
Fifteen minutes after opening on a recent Friday afternoon, a line extends out the door featuring a veritable rainbow of city dwellers, including parents pushing strollers, hipsters smoking blunts, and me and a few coworkers, all eagerly waiting while being taunted by the aromas of pizza creeping outside. Inside, the decor mimics the old-school New York dollar-slice shop, from the faux-wood Formica tables and letter-board menu to the red plastic trays and the paper plates on which each slice is served.
The classic cheese slice ($3.50) is just as lovely as the pepperoni number ($4) or the Hellboy ($4.25), my personal favorite, which takes the pepperoni slice and douses it with sweet-and-spicy Mike’s Hot Honey. Under golden mozzarella and vibrant tomato sauce lies an extra-crisp crust, thanks to its reheating, allowing you to shovel these stellar slices into your face with ease. Yes, it’s a little bit pricier than your corner slice shop, but you get what you pay for. Even the vegan options (using Nuru vegan mozzarella) don’t disappoint. They will never hold their own against a gooey cheese pull, but we’re all about having a spot to bring our vegan or lactose-intolerant friends without sacrificing our constant need for ’za.
After this pizza party, it’s safe to say that Greenpoint just got a little slice of heaven.
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