Category Archives: New York City

Lions & Tigers & Squares Detroit Pizza in New York City

detroit pizza new york

Upon a recent visit to New York City, we decided to only go and try square slices. Since two of our favorites aren’t in Manhattan, we didn’t feel as if we were betraying their exquisite tasting pizza. I am sure many of you can guess I am referring to Spumoni Gardens and Rosa’s. During this pizza tasting, we went to Sauce, Upside Down Pizza, and Lions & Tigers & Squares Detroit Pizza. We had high hopes for Sauce since it has won some awards, but we will give you our opinion about that place in a future review. Let’s just say you cannot trust some of the biased reviews you read around the web.

Lions & Tigers & Pizza

If you are trying to find this small and somewhat shallow built pizzeria, you will need to find its glowing marquee on 23rd Street just a bit east of Eighth Avenue in Chelsea. The sign reads “Lion & Tigers & Squares” — which is a play off of the Wizard of Oz. The pizza wouldn’t be considered a square by traditional measure, but rather a 6×9 rectangle. They are baked in the oven two at a time in a black metal pan, then put on display side by side behind a sneeze guard on the counter. Not sure why so many pizzerias elsewhere choose not to have a sneeze guard nowadays.

Lion & Tigers & Squares is brought to us by Francis Garcia owner of Artichoke Basille’s, a pizzeria we never really cared for, and actually found it to be below our minimum grade at times to even review it. This pizza was nothing like that though. This is Detroit Style Pizza. Many of you who read our reviews regularly know what a Detroit Pizza is but for those who are new, we will explain it again.

When making a Detroit Style Pizza, the crust should be extremely crunchy, with brick cheese (usually from Wisconsin) on the bottom, and tomato sauce on top. The pans are usually greased with oil or butter and the method of baking causes the cheese to overflow and form a crusty outer ridge around it between pan and pie.

best detroit pizza nyc

We got a plain pie like we usually do. The pizza we took into the car was crunchy on the bottom and sides and if you like the corner slices you cannot go wrong with four of them. The first bite was phenomenal. Although this pizza was a bit greasy, I didn’t mind it. I would imagine if you got one of these other Detroit Style Pizzas and added meat or other toppings this pie would become even greasier. The sauce was spot on and tasty, and the crust was exceptional.

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I absolutely enjoyed the taste of this pizza at Lions and Tigers and Squares in New York City. As Detroit Style Pizza is becoming more and more popular, in my opinion I feel this will continue to be one of the betters offerings you can get and at a price that doesn’t break the bank.

Related>>>> Delizia Pizza in New York City http://www.worstpizza.com/delizia-pizza-new-york-city/

Lions & Tigers & Squares now has two locations in New York City. One in Chelsea and one in the East Village.

Lions & Tigers & Squares Pizza in New York City gets 7 out of 8 slices.

Delizia Pizza New York City

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We moved into a new building in the Upper East Side of New York City, and right below me was this pizzeria I never had tried before called Delizia Pizza. I think before I even unpacked the boxes I headed down to try it out. My neighbors told me how delicious the pizza at Delizia was so I anxious went in to try it out.

After taking about 30 steps I arrived in the doorway of Delizia Pizza which was extremely clean and cooler than the outside air. The place wasn’t too busy so I was able to walk up to the counter without having to wait at all. The guy behind the counter wasn’t too friendly and asked me what I wanted with a thick Latin accent. I ordered 1 Sicilian slice which didn’t look to appetizing from the display counter and began to wait.

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Artichoke Basille’s Pizza New York City

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Mad Greek goes from the ridiculous to the sublime. Back in the friendly confines of New York City and Artichoke Basille’s Pizza. And by the looks of things early on about the only thing funny about this place is it’s name.

Knock-knock… Who’s there?… Artichoke… Artichoke who?… Arti choke his chicken last night after his wife threw him out the house. Anyways you can see why I am a pizza reviewer and not a comedian

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Agnello’s Authentic Coal Burning Brick Oven Pizza, New City, NY

Learned about Agnello’s Authentic Coal Burning Brick Oven Pizza place from the show “Restaurant Stakeout” on the Food Network. The host was there to critique the servers and one of the owners. During the show, he said that the pizza was pretty good. Also, the owners claim to be related to Patsy Lancieri of the famed Patsy’s in Harlem, so I thought it worth a try.

A couple of preliminaries. First, no free refills on the drinks, but there is a sign clearly stating the policy as you walk in, so you at least have fair notice. The décor is nicely done, warm and inviting. I was looking forward to seeing the owners, having watched them on TV. In particular, Steve Agnello seemed like an interesting character. I did not get a chance to speak with him, but even from a distance you can tell he is a pretty intense guy. He seems to bring that intensity and passion to his pizza.

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Slightly Oliver Pizza New York City


Slightly Oliver is a cocktail-themed Gastropub on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Slightly Oliver is known for the tantalizing flavors and unique visual appeal of dishes that emphasize fresh, authentic ingredients in this New York City establishment; Teamed with the experise of Consulting Chef Jason Hicks and consulting mixoligist Orson Salicetti. It presents a combination of unique Gastropub cuisine and an apothecary-style bar with barrel-aged cocktails in a setting to match.

The bar features a menu that changes seasonally to showcase ingredients at the peak of their freshness and the sounds of rock n’ roll and reggae.

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Sapori Ristorante Italiano Pizza New York City

Since this is my first review on @worstpizza I decided to begin things with a wonderful first impression. Yes, I know…just what Midtown needed, another average pizza place. So when I was lucky enough to be invited to attend a preview of this New York City authentic Italian wood fired brick oven pizza restaurant named Sapori Ristorante Italiano, I went with trepidation, expecting to find a pizza like I have eaten so many times prior. But after tasting Sapori Pizza I must say I was blown away!

Sapori Ristorante Italiano is located blocks away from the Empire State Building. This could usually be the sign of a tourist trap kind of place. But the owners of Sapori Ristorante Italiano created a perfect ambiance that made me feel comfortable and welcomed, honestly almost like I was in some medieval town in Italy. Sapori has outdoor seating for the warmer months, which considering how mild the temperature has been this winter, was probably not a bad thing for them, and every seat in the house has a great view of the wood burning pizza oven (which was hand crafted beautifully!).

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Serafina Broadway Pizza at the Dream Hotel NYC

After a business meeting while in New York City the other day, I met my family for lunch, and of course the kids wanted pizza. We had went to Angelo’s Pizza (1697 Broadway bet. 53rd & 54th Street, review to come) last time, so we decided to try someplace new. Well, actually new to us, as Serafina has been around a while and I have been meaning to try it. This location is called Serafina Broadway on its website, and Serafina at the Dream (hotel) on its door, awnings and menu. It is located at 210 West 55th St. NYC 10019 Tel: 212 315 1700.

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Naked Pizza 3rd Avenue New York City, NYC

The fall of man can not be confused with the season of fall. One brings failure, the other brings food. Last month the one of a kind “Naked Pizza“, originally from The Naked Capitol of the U.S.A., New Orleans, Louisiana, finally made its way to the corner of 57th Street and Third Avenue in NYC. Thanks to Rich Jacobson and his partners, another such gem will be opening on 14th Street and Third Ave. – East Chelsea which is quickly becoming the pizza capitol of NYC.

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Luzzo’s Pizza New York City NYC Best Pizza New York

New York, New York… Its a hell of a town!!! The Bronx is up and the Battery’s down!!! Speaking of down and in, there’s a pizza place worth checking out just off the “L” train stop off 14th and 1st. The place is called Luzzo’s.

Hmmm, where have I heard of this place before? I distinctly remember a Ms. Gabriella from Positano’s dare tell me that Luzzo’s was the best pizza in all of New York City. Well, let’s find out if she was right. Luzzo’s sports an additional namesake of a once famous pizzeria (Una Pizza Napoletana), formerly on 2nd Avenue and 12th Street (now Motorino’s). This downtown East Village scene is like sticking your finger into a wet outlet. It has buzz and excitement all around. It was no different last Thursday when yours truly picked a Plum and hit the charts with a solid 7.

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Plum Pizzeria & Bar New York City on 2nd and 10th

So I’m sitting with my friend Lawrence, a charter member of the pizza connoisseurs of all creation – Brooklyn Chapter, as we take in Plum on 2nd and 10th. When I told Lawrence where the best pizza in NY would be found (your neighborhood where you grew up), he quickly turned to Joe & Pat’s of Staten Island and L&B Spumoni Gardens in Brooklyn. When I told him mine was Brothers, he thought I grew up on Staten Island, home to another great Brother’s Pizza. I have to check with Dennis Koines, the owner of the Fresh Meadows location on this one for sure.

Well it’s a Plum time to start whittling away at NYC pizza as the Mad Greek begins the arduous process of locating the best pizza in NYC for 2011. I don’t have a lot of time as the year is drawing rapidly to a close.

Today we decided to eat at a place on 2nd ave. and 10th street named Plum Pizzeria & Bar. Plum Pizza makes an artfully crispy pizza, its an old style margherita pizza that was not what I expected when I ordered a Neapolitan (neapolitan). I think it’s important to make this distinction and stop the madness of epicurean confusion. What was served last night at Plum Pizza was a classic Queen Margherita (arguably named after my insanely vain Cypriot grandmother).

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