I Tried Kim Kardashian's Celebrity-Approved New York Pizza - Here's My Verdict
When my fiancé surprised me with an anniversary trip to New York City, my immediate reaction was to start planning where we would eat. Within forty-eight hours of learning about our flight, I had meticulously created a personalised Google Map featuring seventy-two points of interest. Remarkably, thirty-four of those locations were dedicated to culinary destinations.
Some might consider this excessive for a mere four-day visit, but my philosophy was simple: having a curated list of top-tier food recommendations readily available would ensure we never missed a delicious opportunity while exploring different neighbourhoods. As I shared our travel plans with friends and family, one name consistently emerged in their suggestions - Joe's Pizza.
The Celebrity Connection and Spider-Man Fame
Joe's Pizza was already on my radar, particularly due to its memorable appearance in Spider-Man 2, where Peter Parker, portrayed by Tobey Maguire, loses his pizza delivery job for being too slow. However, the establishment's celebrity endorsements extend far beyond the silver screen.
Among its famous admirers is reality television star and business mogul Kim Kardashian. Following her appearance at the 2022 Met Gala, where she famously wore Marilyn Monroe's iconic 1962 Jean Louis gown, Kardashian reportedly ordered ten boxes from Joe's Pizza. This meal marked the conclusion of her rigorous three-week, no-carbohydrate, no-sugar diet undertaken specifically to fit into Monroe's historic dress.
If this pizza was deemed worthy enough to break such a strict dietary regimen, I reasoned it must be worth sampling during our New York adventure.
The Visit to Joe's Pizza on Fulton Street
The evening prior to my visit, I noticed an enormous queue stretching from the Joe's Pizza location near Times Square. Therefore, when I spotted only about a dozen people inside the Fulton Street branch, I immediately seized the opportunity and hurried inside.
Within moments, a staff member took my order. Rather than simply handing over a pre-made slice, they placed it in the oven for approximately a minute to ensure it was properly heated. This attention to detail provided an excellent first impression, demonstrating that the establishment cared about serving their pizza at the optimal temperature.
Sampling the Famous Slice
The margherita pizza slice I received was substantial - larger than my head - and priced at a very reasonable $4.50. Given the generally high cost of dining in New York, this represented excellent value, significantly less expensive than many standard meal deals while promising to be both warming and filling.
Upon receiving my slice, I immediately noticed it wasn't excessively greasy or oily. The crust was perfectly crispy, generously topped with cheese, and featured a well-balanced sauce-to-cheese ratio. The dough tasted fresh, clearly indicating that the business doesn't compromise on ingredient quality.
My Singular Complaint
Despite these positive attributes, I had one notable criticism: the pizza lacked sufficient seasoning. Beyond the tomato base, there was a distinct absence of herbs or additional flavourings that could have elevated the slice to another level entirely.
One might argue I made a beginner's mistake by ordering a plain margherita slice rather than one with toppings. While this is possibly true, I firmly believe even a basic cheese pizza can benefit significantly from thoughtful seasoning with herbs like oregano or basil.
Final Assessment and Rating
Overall, I would award Joe's Pizza a solid 7 out of 10. On an exceptionally cold day feeling like minus twenty-one degrees Celsius, this hot, satisfying slice provided exactly the warmth and sustenance needed to continue our New York exploration, which involved completing over twenty-two thousand steps.
The combination of reasonable pricing, quality ingredients, and celebrity endorsement makes Joe's Pizza a worthwhile stop for visitors to New York City, though those seeking more complex flavours might consider adding their own seasonings or opting for topped varieties.
