Is Joe's Pizza A TOURIST TRAP? Reviewing NYC's Most Iconic Pizza
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- Опубліковано 19 жов 2023
- Joe's Pizza just might be the most famous pizza shop in the world. In a city known for its pizza, Joe's Pizza has been a New York institution ever since it burst onto the foldable slice scene in 1975 at 7 Carmine Street. Today, no longer just limited to the flagship Joe's Pizza Greenwich Village location, Joe's Pizza has locations all over New York City. Multiple locations in Manhattan, one in Brooklyn, and there is even a Joe's Pizza Michigan location now.
But despite all this hype and fame, is Joe's Pizza really all its cracked up to be? Or is Joe's Pizza overrated? There is nothing really special about it. It is just another standard New York style pizza slice, with dough, cheese, a simple tomato sauce, and that's pretty much it. Toppings optional, but you really should not add more than one to stay true to New York standard practice. Ever since the Joe's Pizza Spiderman 2 cameo, the restaurant surged into even further heights of fame. But many people think Joe's Pizza today is overrated and overhyped, that is is just living off its fame and hype, and it is just an average slice of pizza and nothing more.
Today we will be looking to answer the question of whether or not Joe's Pizza is worth the hype. We will be reviewing the iconic slice at the original Joe's Pizza West Village location to make our ruling.
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Restaurant Deets:
Joe's Pizza Fulton Street
124 Fulton Street
New York, NY 10038
Joe's Pizza Greenwich Village (Original Location)
7 Carmine Street
New York, NY 10014
"We're not even here during a peak time...Lunchtime."
Bruh 😂
Pizza doesnt travel well, needs too be eatin on spot....Condensation and steam, changes everything...
Facts ! The only thing that gets better when u take it home is greasy Kfc 😜😜
This is a New Yorker fact. Pizza is supposed to be eaten as soon as you get it. You either eat as you walk (my specialty lol) or sit and eat. You don’t hold on to a slice and expect it be at its best
@@305unleashedgraphix3 and vagina 😂
100 % correct.....onec you close the box game over
Cold pizza is better
The longer the pizza sits or travels the worse it gets so that definitely played a role. So did the anticipation after a 30 minute wait at fidi location - if pizza isn't superb after a wait like that every flaw stands out.
Pizza is just like fresh-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies. They taste incredible when they are hot and the chocolate chips are melted and ooze. Once the cookie cools, it still tastes good, but is a fraction of what it is like freshly baked. Once the pizza cools, the cheese goes through a physical transformation where it is no longer the fresh, shredded mozzarella that was first piled on it, dries out and takes on a plastic-like appearance and texture.
agreed. The pizza will get floppy after you let the pizza sit too much. The pizza is floppy to begin once it comes out of the oven.
I personally think Joe’s is definitely NOT the tourist trap
It’s not that good, but not bad either, it’s like the NY pizza 101
Quite honestly is is not that great unless you are drunk.
Shit trash I had it myself at this exact location
The cheapest slice in NYC is still going to be f*ckin delicious
Carmine St location is the best pizza in the city, the other locations are average
My friend, we will be staying at the Hyatt hotel on 42nd St Grand Central terminal where should we go for pizza?
Well done UA! Great review. Your narrative was very informative. Keep up the great work! Looking forward to your next review.
I’m not a pizza connoisseur but I went to Joe’s (OG spot) with some friends around 2am a few years ago and it blew my mind. I’m from Toronto and the pepperoni slice I had beat everything I’ve had in Toronto. I went back earlier this year, hoping that it would live up to my first experience, and it did! Still my favorite slice in NYC and try to make a stop there when I visit. Nice review!
Been there and pizza is disgusting and i dont want to even imagine how disgusting Toeonto pizza is if there is nothing better than this crap
You were drunk...everything tastes like gold when you're blasted. Do it sober, its not that good, maybe a 6.2
Toronto pizza much better. Joes was basic and plain and floppy with pepperoni falling off the pizza. Total scam.
I’ve been on a little pizza tour myself in the Los Angeles area and one thing that I found is that if you order by the slice it’s in consistent because a lot of times it’s reheated when you get a fresh whole pie it’s usually completely different
Then you are going to pizza places when they are not busy or not popular. New York pizza joints that primarily sell by slice do not sit on the pies long enough to reheat, especially the most popular flavors.
A reheat is actually fine if it’s a good pizza and if the pizza was made within about an hour
Your problem is that you’re buying pizza in California.
@@Undecided0 there’s a few good New York style places out here at least according to Dave Portnoy, and one bite pizza reviews
@@Undecided0I’m pretty sure LA has at least one or more good pizza places since New York and LA are connected and like sister cities. Basically New York, Miami and LA are like the 3 hubs that share a lot of frequent flier New Yorkers in their activities……But if I’m visiting LA, I focus on the Asian and Mexican food since that’s the primary territory
Thanks UA for keeping it real and being honest with your reviews I love pizza but I don't live in New York so I go to local spots all the time where I'm located, and by the way I enjoyed your Plaza hotel series it was cool that you enjoyed it and the afternoon tea session was awesome I hope I can stay there someday myself and do the afternoon tea thing anyway we'll catch you on the next video.
The pizza is cooked nicely on the bottoms. I think because the dough is so thin,it makes it floppy... Floppy is good, as long as the crust is cooked well all around
I love the background music that you are using. Old old back school. I could hear the movie reel which is so iconic. Thank you for making your videos awesome!
It’a so god awful early here on a saturday and i’m a bit tired but this video in my sub box over a cup of coffee makes such a good start to the (work)day :D
UA can you please stop thanking your viewers for your success? You’re the man releasing all the awesome content. I would like to thank you.
That mural was dope. I love the clips you put in near the places you are eating.
So glad we got a pizza review! Even though the slices aren’t bank breaking would be great to see you talk about price too, like other vids!
Dude when it comes to pizza fresh out of the oven you have to eat it immediately to get the best flavor and rigidity. You took too long to eat the lunch time pizza. Also you took too long to taste the pizza from the OG Joe’s.
I really like your content and I appreciate what you do. I just feel that by letting so much time lapse before you eat your food, that your reviews may be a little unfair.
Yup! UA needs to learn how to eat pizza! He is definitively not a pro pizza eater!!!
By the time you ate that slice from original Joes, the cheese had congealed!
Yup!
U r my favorite reviewer. Honest as f. Keep up the great vids!
Seeing these pizza reviews brings me back to eating local Brooklyn slices with my dad. I did not know then but now I know that I lived around the most iconic pizzerias in Brooklyn during the 90s.
If you go to the location near (just south of) Times Square it is definitely a tourist trap as the line stretches down the block and often around the block. Usually not much of a line on East 14th St or Williamsburg location.
Appreciate the investigative reporting! Thanks for being a great guide for NY eats! 😊
Great review (PS - I walk by that corner on Fulton street pretty much EVERY day and the line is always SO ridiculous around 12-2pm no matter how inclement the weather is).
The scaffolding in New York kills me lol. Great review ua, you did provide some caveats that should have quieted the trolls lol, but they only want to hear what they want.
The first location that you reviewed, I actually tried it by chance. It was around 10 in the morning one day when my friends and I got off the train nearby and wanted to get something to eat. We passed this place and saw it was open so we just went in. I remember walking in and seeing all the photos on the wall and thinking "where am I"? As a Native New Yorker, I remember thinking to myself that the pizza was actually quite good for NY standards but definitely not the best I've had. There was barely a line when I went in and I got to eat inside so that probably contributed to that.
I've lived in NYC for 15 years and I can say that Joe's Pizza is NOT a tourist trap. However, anything with Ray's in the name IS
The Ray's near w81st Street has been there forever and to me feels different than the others. I just went recently for the first time in years and the pepperoni slice was totally decent. I've got other places I like more, but at least that Ray's doesn't suck. It also always feels kind of empty, but it's huge inside.
You've got to try Scarr's Pizza in Chinatown, best pizza in my entire life. Get a plain slice and a Hotboi slice (jalepenos, pepperoni, and hot honey)
Hipster trap😂
Nobody who lives in NY goes to Scarr's 😂
Scarrs is the filet mignon of pizza. It’s one of the best. Although some Reddit people have said it’s declining but that’s for me to judge on my next NYC trip
People said it's been falling off but I haven't been
it's better than overrated tourist hives like Joe's, don't knock it till you try it@@anthonymusto3537
I was so excited when this location opened when I worked downtown. This location was a little different than the original joes that just has 4 pies on displays
Years ago in the 80s and 90s, Joe’s was the best walking around slice in the city. Used to stop by the one on Carmine Street all the time, without the big crowds.
Gonna miss the live feed, got the ALCS game to watch, but I'll catch up after! Thanks UA!
No worries! Sounds like you got your priorities straight!
@@uaeats we won! Great vid! My priorities change based on my wife, she was ready for baseball, haha, thanks UA!
You should know by now that the pizza in a box or paper bag will get soggy that’s the difference from eating it direct
weekday lunch in financial district is probably actually peak time lol
PRO TIP:
I go to that location all the time but always before 12pm and I never have to wait in line
Please come to New Haven CT are try our legendary "New haven style" famous pizza places, Pepe's, Sally's, and Modern. You can't do pizza reviews without going to the New Haven holy trinity. I can clearly see that Joe's is no comparison from the video shots of the slices. Great review as usual!
In the 1960s, my father used to make us pizza and he had the heat bubble in his pizzas and ever since then I always love to see that in a pizza and they always seem to be good pizzas. My dad in the 40s or 50s was a baker for Wegmans so he a lot of Knowledge from that
I just reread my post and I guess you could really get shots down every time I say pizza. Lol
I've never been to NYC, but I"ve eaten at the Joe's location in Ann Arbor MI twice. The sauce I'm seeing on the slice at the original location looks pastier than I remember, especially out at the rim, where it looked to me like it dried out quite a bit. Other than that, it looks the way I remember. Good video.
I don't stand on line for food except at the grocery store.
This is amazing... I'm gonna make it a mission to come back to new york soon :)
Another great review. Coming from the UK, I'm jealous of the NY pizza culture!
I miss the 2020 covid days where no restaurants had lines. I had joes a few times and it was worth it because of how easy it was to get.
I remember going to the Carmine St location once back in the day (90s.) It was good, but I always preferred the pizzerias in my neighborhood than the ones in the city. Being a broke HS student, I usuall went to Gray's Papaya on 6th and W 8th. $1.85 for two dogs and a juice!
How long was it in the box?
I didn't know there was more than one Joe's Pizza. It's on my NY bucket list. Good to know the OG is still the best and not just a 'pizza' history. 😂
As a regular here, it is definitely overpriced, I have never seen a cheese slice for $4 before
From a tourist perspective Joe’s (I had it at the original spot) is the classic New York slice. It was delicious, far superior to anything I can get at home. HOWEVER, it is also far from the best I’ve come across in NYC, and because my time is so limited when I visit I probably won’t go back unless I stumble upon it. So yeah I agree it’s not a tourist trap, but it’s also not the pinnacle by any means
I would agree with this. It's a good slice of pizza. And it's popular with locals too so it's not a tourist trap (I'm specifically referring to the original location). But it is not at all amongst my favorite pizza spots in NYC
Joes has a strong following with locals. Not just tourists. Personally I like it but I don’t go out of my way to get it when I visit NYC
@@uaeatsHE GON LET DAT RIDE....
Joe's is outstanding if you get a slice from a fresh pie and like a sweet sauce. For herby thicker sauce it's Pizza Suprema. Other spots need to get a whole pizza.
It reminds me of a cross between flatbread pizza with an oddly satisfying crispy, chewy texture. Plus, that's my brother's name but I'm not giving him brownie points over a concidence. It looks good to me!
Great rebuy as usual.
The original is always the best.
Ever try articulate basille on 14th street
Original location
I know mostly known for Artichoke slice
But need to try vodka a Sicilian I know your a fan of a vodka sauce and regular Sicilian .
Keep up the good work.
Great video. Love that Prince Street pizza
When you said the PROBLEM was the pepperoni on the pepperoni pizza, I was like “is he joking?” 5:24 ….. it was as if you’ve never had pepperoni pizza before! “It’s greasy and spicy…..” um yes that’s literally what pepperoni is!! If you don’t like it just say that. Also NYC is known for thin crust foldable pizza. And if you don’t eat it immediately it will of course get a bit limp so that wasn’t a fair critique. Finally that cheese slice from the flagship had basically the same “flop” as the other one.
UA just doesn't know how to eat pizza!!! Cold and congealed is not a way to go.
Nice review, but I always stick to sicilian slice. You can taste all components of the pizza as there is double the amount in each slice
1.6k+ 👍! HI UA! Mmm 🍕! Great review thanks for sharing this
Next time your in Beijing China you should try the Joes Pizza there. I am American living there and it was great. The manager there worked at the OG location. They are also in Shanghai. Would love to see Di Fara review by you. Tha😊t was my favorite pizza in NYC maybe the world.
Great review. I support you 🧧
I worked on Mercer st & E. 4th for years. Joe’s pizza 🍕 on Carmine Street is without a doubt my FAVORITE in NYC🤩 🎉
I love hearing the Spanish speaking people working there 😊 arriba Centroamérica!!
I think the first slice in FiDi you waited to long to eat the pizza. You walked a few blocks which compromised the slices because it cooled down .
Hi UA: Think about doing another Vlog on the Best whole Pizza Pie in NYC, only ordering the Margherita Pizza for comparisons. I would try to choose the following: 1. Ribalta(Order the DOC pizza, they also have very good Pastas. 2. Di Fara in Brooklyn, 3. Una Pizza Napoletana in Manhattan ( They are only open 3 days a week, so I was never able to try out their Pizza, 4. Lucali in Brooklyn and Lombardi on Spring Street. It would be interesting to see what you think is the best whole pie Margherita pizza in NYC. A wood or coal fired pizza, baked in an Italian Brick oven; will always elevate the taste of a great pizza made with the freshest ingredients. We are lucky to have so many great pizzas places in NYC.
UA please do a review on Paul’s the Burger Joint on St. Marks and 2nd Ave established 1989. It’s a great NYC burger spot and I’d love to hear your take on it!
Is Joe's Pizza a tourist trap? To some extent, yes. While it certainly draws a lot of out-of-towners, it's important to remember that it also has a strong local following. The iconic status of Joe's and the constant stream of visitors can lead to long lines, especially during peak hours, which might not be everyone's idea of a great dining experience. For those looking for a more peaceful meal, exploring less famous local pizzerias could be a better option.
I don’t live in NY but not the typical tourist. I ate this after running the NY marathon. It was great. 1000 times better than anything in FL. UA always has good tips but I feel on pizza you need to order a fresh pie not a reheated slice.
Though I'm not a pepperoni gal, all three slices looked great, foundation wise. I'll take 3 regular slices extra hot any day, I'm a die hard for peppers and cheese, I like it spicy hot. Ordering a pie would request it well done. I had that perfection the last time I was in NY, (LI), years ago now, the pizza man responded, "got it", when I placed the order over the phone. Again, it was perfect. There's no better pizza than NY pizza, nothing better. ❤❤❤
When I used to eat at Joe's my favorite slice was the sausage slice. Underrated and less overpowering than pepperoni.
My favorite go to flavor now is vodka, which Joe's does not offer.
We liked the Joe's in Time Square. It was late in the evening but great.
Joe's 29 minute is a promise man...
30 minutes? Some people are idiots to wait for a lousy pizza😅
It just looked amazing ❤
There used to be another joes near Bleeker street that was better . Closed 12 years ago I think . There was also a place in Hoboken called Fillipo that was awesome also closed .
Thanks for the video.
Safe Journey! CHOLULA!!!
I just left NYC a few weeks ago and Joe’s was the first slice I tried. At that point the best I had until I tried pizza from other spots such as Bleecker Street and Artichoke Basille which were 10 times better. In relation to other spots in NYC Joe’s is slightly above average. It gets a 7.2
Try Harry’s in the financial district, just as good if not better and less crowded. Also has a nice area to sit inside
FYI the original location closed years ago... A few doors down at the corner of Carmine and Bleecker.
It's on my NY list. Thanks for the review.
I had other things to do but I really wanted to watch this
It's funny how pizza differs in NYC, slice shops are just that..but the "better" pizza is when you buy whole pies, I just had Rubirosa while I was in NYC and it was better than any slice shop pizza.
U ever gonna update the background music?
I love it
@@ramencurry6672 k
Here’s the problem UA. During peak hours these guys preheat pies to get them out faster. If the pie isn’t fresh it’s pretty much trash. Even if you order a pie at the flagship branch they have gaul to preheat a whole pie for you! If you’re going to Joes don’t go to the flagship ones go to the non busy locations.
Have you been to Totonno's on Coney? Really, really nice.
Here is a tip fromk a former pizza baker.If you put a fresh baked pie in a boox ir slices go in as bag, they go soggy.
I agree with your assessment. I've been to Joe's a good 10 or 12 times, and I've found to be inconsistent at best. The first couple times I went, it was amazing. The next few were just ok. The last time I went it was absolutely horrible and put me off from going back.
12 times but you say they are inconsistent. Why even go there? You must like it
Joe's Pizza in the W Village is the real deal...Best bang for yo buck pizza, no bs. Their pizza is a perfect equal amt of sauce, cheese and crust.
Joe’s is solid. Above average. Definitely a go to day to day spot. I prefer Di Fara for a slice. Down the street from the one on Fulton/Nassau. I do prefer the OG Joe’s. Been there probably 50 times.
Just there the other day driving by -but saw the line I went down the block to Little Italy Pizza on Fulton near Pearl - It's very good, most likely better than Hype up Joe's - speaking as a New Yorker since 1969 but if you must go Joe's then go to the one near 6th ave W. village. just remember Tourist if it's already known via social media then your already late for being great taste. now they just cashing in the crowd / don't matter if it sucks cause you won't be there second time around.
For me, the best pizzas in NYC are Lucali, L'Industrie, and John's of Bleecker, with more than honorable mentions going to Fini, Scarr's, Best and Paulie Gee's Slice Shop (all in Brooklyn). Still need to try Luigi's and DiFara's.
Is flop good or bad? One of my fav places has same style flop action in Greater Boston. Me gusta
I liked Friendly Pizza on the corner of Nassau St and Maiden Lane in FiDi.
How much does one slide cost?
Joe's is decent, very touristy, but definitely not the best. My personal favorite pizzeria in Manhattan is ironically called Best Pizza on 1st Ave in between 56th and 57th Street. I believe they used to be called Ultimate back in the day. Pizza is amazing!
Try Artichoke Pizza. It’s a experience to remember.
Wow. Joe's isn't even on my radar. Johns, Lombardis, Bleeker St., and into Brooklyn we go.
Cool vlog
From my experience, go to the original spot at Carmine St. The lower Manhattan and E 14th st location is flop city. And overly greasy. The OG location is crisper for sure.
That's the hardest part of any restaurant is being consistent
Joe's is the real Ninja Turtle slice ! 🍕🐢🐢🐢🐢
I'm shocked it's so busy at its price point. $4 USD for a slice of pizza is nuts.
I thought it wasn’t a bad price tbh
You must not be from Manhattan. Even in the outer borough generic pizzerias, a regular slice is $3.50 on average.
4 bucks in Manhattan is not bad
Di Fara is the best. Joe’s is just decent, not legendary.
It's 2023 not 1973
I would definitely like to see you review one of the places portnoy loves in detail like you do.
did you mention the price?
Joe’s is decent enough. It's overrated, but only for the hype, not the taste. I'm more of a Smiling Pizzeria fan on 9th & 7th in the Slope. There’s also a really good pizza place in NoLita *barf*, but, I forget the name, which I'll get later. The lines at Scarr’s have been too long for me to wait n try
Maybe you’re talking about Nolita Pizza on Kenmare Street? They happens to be my favorite.🙂
Joe's pizza is a tourist trap, if it's not then people really do hype up new york slice too much then. One opened in Miami and after trying it, I now definitely know nyc pizza is just pizza lol. I saw a video of a Joe's in NYC with a long line out the door and I was thinking no way is it worth that wait at all. Especially in NYC where many "best" pizzas exist
Best za I ever had was Marco's but if I ever get to NYC I'll be in heaven!
I'm a real New Yorker..like every borough type not just Manhattan and hands down the best pizza in nyc comes from Queenz and Brooklyn ⁷
I never went to this place. I always go to the one on 6th ave (original). Wait in a line that long for any pizza? then you either recently moved here, a college student with tons of free time, or a tourist.
The supreme slice is my fav 😍
Nothing beats a cheese pizza !