Best Restaurants: Home Slice Pizza for the Family
Words by Jessi Devenyns Photos by Baptiste Despois
Stepping into Home Slice on East 53rd Street has the feeling of walking into a traditional New York pizzeria, except that the familiar authenticity of red vinyl booths and checkered tablecloths is punctuated by graffiti art, an eclectic collection of artifacts, and ‘80s rock references. But rather than overwhelming, the result is playfully irreverent.
Yet, that irreverence doesn’t translate to the menu, which reflects traditional New York options like pizza margherita, eggplant pie, meatball subs, and Greek salads served with complimentary garlic knots. It turns out that there are rules to creating an authentic slice of NY-style pizza, which Home Slice partner/owner Jeff Mettler says should be “a little bit larger than the old-school paper plate that it sits on.”
Of course, there are also ingredients to consider. “I don’t believe that New York-style pizza should be described as being cheesy, doughy, or saucy,” explains Jeff. “It should be those three items in perfect balance.” The crust should also be thin with a crisp outer skin and a spongy inside.
These rules were imported by the restaurant’s co-founder and owner Jen Strickland when she opened the original pizza parlor in 2005 but were created and perfected in New York. Jeff recounts the legend. Jen learned to make pizza in New York, the epicenter of oversized slices, from a master named Angelo. When she completed her apprenticeship, her mentor awarded her with a stick-on mustache to offer her legitimacy. That fake facial hair has since gone on to become the iconic mark of the Queen of Pies.
While both the Sicilian and New York-style pizzas are undisputedly good, it’s also how it’s eaten that makes the experience fun. There are even directions on how to properly consume a NY slice. When eaten, these slices should be folded. “If you fold it and the grease drips under your wrist, that means you’re doing it right,” claims Jeff. Regulars will tell you, while the pizza is good, one keeps coming back for the experience.
Contact:
501 E 53rd St.
homeslicepizza.com
