If there is anything I like more than a good steak, it's a good piece of pizza & this is why I decided to come to Sal's Authentic New York Pizza. Speaking to the owner of the Parnell Store he tells me about his passion & desire to be his own boss and working with Pizza. Until recently Sal's Pizza was a family operation and not up for franchise. This has now slowly changed with the sale of Parnell & more recently the opening of their new store in Hamilton.
I am told about how all their ingredients are shipped from New York and nothing is left to chance here, and If I do not like their pizza he will refund my money back every penny (at this point I thought about whether correcting him & telling him we don't do penny's here) but I thought better off since he will be cooking me a fresh pizza.. I've seen what happens on Gordon's Ramsay - Kitchen Nightmares when you talk back to the chef ;-). But I hardly doubt he would ever do something like I have seen on TV.
I am presented with the menu in front of me of large 18″ Pizza's or by the slice.. with a cabinet of other foods to go with it, Garlic Knots, Pepperoni Pinwheels, buffalo wings & mozzarella sticks all of which look delicious! since I'm with a group of friends we decide to go for a large half pepperoni half italian meatball with a pitcher of beer to help wash it down, with a size of mozzarella sticks & buffalo wings.
The wings & the mozzarella came out first followed by the beer. One thing I have noticed about this place is the decor - styled in New Yorker theme red brick & big screen tv's with NBA Live on ESPN. A good choice to come here during lunch I reckon. They really understand their customers needs. Pizza + Beer + Sport = WIN
The pizza came out not long after we finished out wings & mozzarella, we were amazed at the size of this thing.. I am told they do eating competitions for the quickest person to finish a whole 18″ pizza, I am told a good time somewhere in the 30min mark. But I don't see how I could possibly do that - even after 5 mins the pizza is still incredibly hot to bite into.
As you see from the photo, this pizza is awesome! taste wise - on a totally a different level than what you find with the likes of Hells & Domino's. I wouldn't even put them in the same league as them. This enjoyment does come with a price 4 times as much as a large Pizza from any other place out there. Is it worth it?? - I think so!
The atmosphere as I mentioned before is styled for guys - who love their pizza with their beer while watching sports. Perhaps one night a week they should have lazy boys around the store pointed towards the big screen & charge people $40 for entry which grants them pizza & beer while watching the game.. could be a nice little earner for them.
From the 18″ Pizza with three guys we managed to finish off most of the Pizza, I say most as I've left the crusts behind.. but I'm told I would be disqualified if I was in the competition as you have to eat the entire pizza, crusts & all. wow..
After all that I don't think I could move an inch & would gladly sit back for the next hour & watch the sport while the food settles down.. but alas I must get back to work.
I now leave you with the following thoughts;
Food 4/5 - Best Pizza out - although the sight of seeing oil dripping off, is a tad bit off-putting.
Service 5/5 - Friendly & courtious
Price - 3/5 $24 for an 18″ Pizza or $9 for 2 Slices..
Atmosphere -5/5 - Where are my lazy boy's?! Like i said before Pizza + Beer + Sports = WIN
Overall 4.5/5 - I'm calling it.. Best Pizza Place out.. Hamilton.. prepare to be blown away.. You no longer will have to put up with average pizza from other places.. But with anything this will cost you in the end. read more