TL;DR version: Stick with the basic pies. There's also a good nonna/grandma slice. Any slice with a lot of toppings will be on a much thicker base, which is a bit too doughy.
This is a pizza place that's been around for a while. They used to have only the main storefront, but I believe, based on the sign and the menu, that they own Fresh Basil's Trattoria next door, which used to be a Johnny Rockets and most recently, a diner specializing in seafood. Speaking of that trattoria, they do sell a lot of Italian-American classics, such as pasta and other related dishes, but I would recommend sticking with the pizza here.
I've been here almost every time for lunch because they have a reasonably priced lunch special that includes two slices and a fountain drink. It used to be $7.50 for two plain, or for an extra 50¢, two Sicilians. This then went up by a dollar to $8.50 or $9, and as of the most recent, I believe it's $9 for either choice. They also added, at one point or another, a combination of any slice of pizza and a selection of 1 salad, including Caesar, Tricolore, House Garden, and Della Cassa, if I recall correctly, for $12. For all these combos, you can pay tax-free if you pay in cash. They were also serving Chicken Parmesan for $15.95 or $16.95 as one of their lunch specials, which didn't look right for take-out but tasted pretty solid with an OK vodka sauce, and it was a very large portion for that price point.
As you can imagine from the special, I've mostly stuck with the two plain slices, though I'm tempted to do the salad special another day. The plain slice is the best idea, with a thin crust, a mild chew, and just enough color on the bottom. The tomato sauce is the highlight here, not overly sweet, and with good brightness and acidity. There is also plenty of cheese, but not too much that it feels too heavy.
If you are going to get a non-plain slice, I would recommend their Grandma. It's an excellent version that highlights their tomato sauce, which isn't overly sweet and is pretty bright and acidic. Otherwise, I wouldn't recommend slices with a bunch of toppings like the Angry Nonna or mushroom and spinach, as the dough is much thicker. I presume this is to keep the slice from falling apart, but I find the latter slices a bit too doughy, which reminds me a little bit of the terrible chain pizza place up the block, Little Italy Pizza. If you need a unique slice and don't mind some doughiness, the Pestorita isn't bad either, available with or without pepperoni.
While definitely not my favorite pie I've ever had, it's a good standard pizza and a prototypical NYC plain slice. During weekdays, they are crowded during lunch for a good reason. It is certainly better than most generic slices, and this rings especially true in this bad neighborhood for slices, but I wouldn't go out of my way if you have another good pie nearby. read more