New York Pizza

New York pizza is the city's defining street food: a big, thin, hand-tossed slice with a crisp yet foldable crust, tangy tomato sauce and melted mozzarella, sold cheaply by the slice from corner pizzerias on every block. Eaten folded and on the go, it is a New York ritual, and the great debate is over which shop does it best.

What's there

• The classic slice - the big, thin, foldable cheese slice from a corner pizzeria.
• By the slice - the counter shops selling single slices reheated to order.
• Coal-oven pies - the historic whole-pie pizzerias of Brooklyn and beyond.
• The fold - the New York way of eating a slice folded lengthwise.

When to go

Year-round; a slice any time of day or late at night is a New York staple. Any neighbourhood has its corner pizzeria, and locals are fiercely loyal to their favourite.

What to expect

Quality varies wildly, from excellent to greasy and forgettable, so a recommendation helps. The cheapest dollar slices are exactly that. The real classics are the long-running corner shops and the historic coal-oven pizzerias.

Nearby

Found across the whole city; Brooklyn holds several of the historic coal-oven institutions.