Grimaldi's -- The Best?

Been living here for a few months now, and I finally got around to making it across the bridge to Grimaldi's. I was way impressed -- it definately compared favorably to the pizza in Florence, where I had been the week before -- but I need to know for sure... have I had the city's best? Or is there an uncrowned king lurking out there somewhere?

[ftrain]

Grimaldi's remains the best I've had in NY, and I've had many of the usual suspects. Had it again a few weeks ago for the first time in three years, and was reminded just how great it can be. I'm also a big fan of Arturo's on Houston.

[Churia]

DiFara is excellent but if you actually want to go to a decent looking place and sit down and dine, you will not be disappointed by Grimaldi's (Hoboken). To me, the pizza is just as good and is in a proper setting.

I'm not going to say what's the best and what's the worst but I had the most fantastic brick-oven pizza at L'Ulivo, the pizza tartufata. Thin sheets of parmesan, truffle oil and mushrooms and garlic...with a flask of spicy garlic oil for drizzling....yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I recently did a taste test-- and Grimaldi's is right up there at No. 1-- although after reading responses I went out to Difara's and now it's a tie for first-- see the link below

Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

I think Grimaldi's is the best in the city, and I've tried the usual top 10...but here's the catch!

The Grimaldi's thats the best is the one in HOBOKEN.

Same owners, same way to make a pie...but it's so much more quiet there, they pay more attention to you and your pie, hot and good.

I feel that the one in brooklyn tries to get you in and out as soon as possible.

I too was just in florence and didnt find the pizza half as good as new york. Have you been to lombardis? I think that beats grimaldis hands down.

Florence is not really a pizza city.

Better to compare to pizzas in Rome or especially Naples.

I still think NY has better pizza.

Yeh, the pizza in rome is amazing. I am excited to try pinch because the article in the post said it makes that skateboard shaped pizza that you find in rome.

Have not been to Pinch, but for Roman-style pizza you would be hard pressed to beat Sullivan Street Bakery's pizza bianca ('regular' or w/ pecorino) - fantastico, and bigger than a skateboard!

You will never get consensus as to what is the best in Manhattan, all of New York City or even the NYC area. Then if you do, you are going to still have a fight with some loay to places in New Haven, CT. Some people maintain loyalty to each of Grimaldi's, Lombardi's, DiFara's, Totonno's, DeNino's, Joe & Pat's, etc. If you keep searching to boards, mainly the Outer Borough and Manhattan Board, you will find the names to almost all, if not all, of those of renown. This is a good guide. Try them and form your own opinion.

>>>have I had the city's best? Or is there an uncrowned king lurking out there somewhere?<<<

Hmmm . . . would you settle for a very humble guy,
(although some would say he is a prince), working
in a place that is fit for a pauper, but who
serves someone who makes pizza that is suited
for a king?

Get thee to DiFara. It's fairly simple - you have
to go back to Brooklyn, but deeper in this time.
Take the Q train to Ave. J, then walk 1 block to
Ave. J and 15th Street.

Dom has been here for 40 years, making what many
consider to be the best pizza around. You'll
find many postings on this board, but you have to
go for yourself.

A few tips: It's very popular, and Dom works at
one speed, so expect that you may have to wait.
You should generally avoid peak times. Weekends
can mean a long wait, although with the weather
the crowds are not that bad. You must try the square
slice, even if you normally like round. I was a
round slice eater, but Dom's squares won me over.
The toppings are very good. If you order a slice
with brocolli, he sends a bunch of brocolli rabe
back to the kitchen to be sauteed by one of his
kids, then puts it on the slice. Ditto for artichoke
slices. The sun-dried roasted peppers are also great.

The place is a dump, you have to get past that, but
Dom cares so much about his pizza that it's magical.

Where else can you have pizza by the slice from a
pie made with 3 cheezes (fior di latte mozzerella,
buffalo mozzerella and parmagiano Reggiano)?

Enjoy!

Thanks!