When I told my friend MW that I was heading to Brooklyn’s Park Slope to investigate the Joe’s Pizza War, he told me that it was a must that I also visit Luigi’s Pizza. Little did I know that it was just one block over and across the street, and little did I know just how darn right he was. Luigi’s may just make the best New York slice on the Brooklyn side of New York City, and they’ve been doing so since 1973.
Leaving my car parked near Joe’s, it was a short walk to Luigi’s which was a few doors from the corner on busy 5th Avenue. It was after lunch hour on Monday, so when I ordered my plain cheese slice ($2.50) and went to a table in the back to wait, I had the place all to myself. Luigi’s was as typical as any pizza joint you’d find in Manhattan.
Checking out their website, I discovered the cool fact that in the movie Big Daddy, this is the place where Adam Sandler teaches the young kid how to properly eat a slice of pizza.
Well, all I could say about this slice is that it was perfect, perfect perfect! A notch above the slice I just had across the street, I think I could have eaten a hundred of these. I feel like I don’t even have to waste words in describing this one. It’s a page right out of the New York slice textbook.
Everything worked together on this one with the brightly-flavored tomato sauce jumping out at me the most. Light, thin, crispy and tasty—Luigi’s slice has it all. The sign saying, “No outside food or drink” was a waste. Who would want to bring in something else? My only complaint was that they didn’t have a rest room.
So, if you find yourself in Brooklyn needing to show someone what a New York slice is all about, this is the place to bring them. With Joe’s across the street, this makes two “5’s on Fifth Avenue.” Try them both, and when you get to Luigi’s, tell them that Big Daddy send you!
PIZZA SNOB RATING ***** Sets the Standard
Luigi’s Pizza
686 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718-499-3857
www.luigispizzabrooklyn.com