BEST PIZZA ON LONG ISLAND

Who makes the best pizza on Long Island? I've read articles in Newsday, but the reco's of Chowhound's are the way to know the truly GREAT pizza places.

I'll start with my favorite...Da Angelo's on Willis Ave in Albertson. Their Grandma pizza is fantastic!

Now let's hear yours!

[Motosport]

So many great pizzas on Long Island!! We like:
Grana on the North Fork in Jamesport for great wood fired thin crust pizza
Little Vincent's in Ronko for more traditional pizza
Parto's in Riverhead has excellent individual gourmet pizzas

-----
Parto's Restaurant
12 W Main St, Riverhead, NY 11901

[detroit1010]

I went to Salvatore's in Port Washington this weekend and I can say with complete confidence that it is some of the best pizza in NY, Manhattan included. If you like seriously delicious pizza. We shared a roll and some garlic bread pizza for an appetizer and stuck with the traditional pizza after that - it was insanely good. Amazing sauce, cheese, crust...

[BadAshFoodie]

Cinelli's, Franklin Square ...Oilly, chewy goodness
Lazarrno's, Franklin Square ...Thin crust, good sauce
Caprio's Brick Oven, Franklin Square ...Great Grandma pizza

-----
Brick Oven
10 Cliff Ave, Tupper Lake, NY 12986

[wishuwerhere]

BadAshFoodie
You are right on the Money... I live there & you are acurate !!
Lazarrno's is pretty new & I am very impressed with them BTW

[jules98]

New Park Pizza on CrossBay Blvd.Salvatores Pie in Bayshore,Lucali's in Brooklyn,Grimaldi's,Lombardi's,Patsy's

[Scott_R]

I tried two places in the last couple of weeks, San Marzano in Merrick,
http://www.smarzano.com/
and Raino's in Amityville (no website that I know of). Both tout wood-fired brick ovens.

San Marzano
A very good crust, just like I like it--little charred parts on the crispy crust. Unfortunately the toppings (we had the pomodoro and margherita) weren't especially flavorsome. I'd try it again to be sure, but I wasn't bowled over.

Raino's
Quite nice. Crusty not quite what I love textually but flavorsome and well above average. Tasty toppings, though I wish the sauteed spinach (I forget the pie's name) had been put on AFTER baking--I'm betting it was put on before, as it was very wilted. One of the best pies I've had in the past year.

[wojiparu]

GRIMALDI's Hands Down the BEST!

[Clambelly]

Abeetza, in Greenvale, is pretty good (and very expensive). It's nowhere near Umberto's of NHP, however, and the guys who work there are major a-holes. The guy in his later 20s anyway (dark hair). He says nothing to you--not hello, not goodbye, just says the price and pretty much tosses the change at you. I guess he's angry at the world or he's too cool to speak to the great unwashed--his customer base. The guy who owns it is slightly better. All in all, the place is not very warm. However, it IS overpriced as hell, so I guess the rent there must be absurd. You'd think with all the Italians in Glen Cove there would be a decent pizza place, but there really isn't one.

[jeffkr]

Hands Down -- Delfiore Pizza Company
in Patchogue - Always fresh ingredients nothing left over
from the day before.
They also own Managia Mangia in Patchogue

[coll]

But their pizza is more upscale, not what I think of when I think pizza.....

[foodie1017]

Love them!

[nmurawsk]

Gino's pizza in Williston Park has the best Sicilian pie. All their other pizzas and phenomenal as well. But I dream about the Sicilian.

[jpf1980]

I have to agree with you about Gino's. I think it is wonderful. Best slice joint by far in Nassau County that I have been to.

[intrepid]

go to umbertos..just over the line..

[nmurawsk]

Have been there, several times. Great pizza - absolutely. Which is why they were able to sell their name and have locations all of the country. I still like Ginos in Williston Park the best. To each their own!

[intrepid]

umbertos..all of the usa?? please do tell of these locations all of the country..florida im aware of owned by original family members.....to each his own

[nmurawsk]

I don't know if they are all over the country, I can't base that in fact. I guess I just assumed that since they sold the rights to their name. One that I do know of for sure is in Ft Lauderdale.

[intrepid]

so, then it seems your statement about umbertos is inaccurate..you "mispoke" ??? lololol

[nmurawsk]

perhaps.... maybe a result of Friday happy hour?? It's possible :)

[byrd]

The name "Umbertos" has become as ubiquitous as "Famous Rays" when it comes to pizza joints.
;) ;) ;)

[intrepid]

again perhaps another over statement..as a result of happy hour?? lolol

[priscilla56]

San Marzano on Merrick Ave in Merrick, just north east of the train station.

[Scott_R]

Hi, Priscilla. I'd heard a little about the place. How's the crust? Thin, crispy?

[sadab]

the top 3 pizza places voted "Best on Long Island" for 2010 http://bestof.longislandpress.com/li/...

[Scott_R]

I have nothing but contempt for the LI Press' "Best of..." rankings. Lemonleaf, the Denny's of Thai, is best? All-American serves the best burger? Witches Brew is the best coffeehouse? (funky-looking place, terrible coffee). Smokin' Al's has the best ribs, followed by The Spare Rib and Zorns?

I could go on, but the Press's yearly rankings are a joke at best.

[sbp]

Yeah, the LI Press is a joke. Their office is in my building. We had a really crappy little coffee shop that served breakfast and basically a steam table lunch. The LI Press did a FULL review of the place - a rave review. There was a full paragraph about the grilled cheese sandwich. And I've got to tell you, this wasn't gruyere on artisan bread. It was a Kraft Single melted on a slice of Wonder Bread. LI Press has zero credibility.

[TooLooseLaTrek]

Emilio's,in Commack, grandma pie.They also make the best rice balls.I also like Intermezzo in Fort Salonga,although I haven't been there in awhile.

[Fred19]

Emilio's is also owned by the same people that own Pasteria in Hicksville.

~Fred19

[GCGuy]

Luzzo's in Westbury seemed like it will be a winner.

I also like Contro Cucina on Glen Cove Rd. in Greenvale. Nice panninis, pies, and apps.

Just tried Louie's Brooklyn on Jericho in Huntington. I really like the Margherita. Huge pie and slices. Not as thin as anticipated but nice crust, good mozz, excellent sauce, a little garlic on the crust. Nice rice ball and sauce, too.

[Clambelly]

Oh, got another good one: Fanatico Pizza on North Broadway in Jericho/Hicksville. It's set way back in a shopping center parking lot and a lot of people aren't aware of it, but at the front of the parking lot, right on Broadway, is a Goodyear tire center. The pizza joint is set way back in that shopping center. I think there is a super Stop and Shop there. It used to be a Pathmark

[synergy]

Fanatico is owned by the same family that owns Pasteria in Hicksville (next to Staples)

[Clambelly]

Well...certainly can't go wrong with Umberto's, especially the one in NHP. However, just to add a few to the list I haven't seen as yet--- Abeetza Pizza on Glen Cove Rd. just north of Northern Blvd. in Greenvale is excellent, as is Amalfi on Forest Ave. in Glen Cove. I'd rather do a list of WORST pizza on Long Island. That would be fun. Here....let me start a list: LOL

[TongoRad]

The few times I've been to Abeetza (on my way up to Glen Cove to visit relatives) it has been really good, so it's nice to see them mentioned. My father really likes the place, both for the pizza and the fresh pasta that they sell.

[MKBookWorks]

Gotta add Emilio's on Jericho Tpk in Commack - pizza excellent, pasta fabulous.

[Clambelly]

::Update:: on Abeetza. Something I've noticed of late. Eat it THERE. The takeout version of their pizza is weaker. We ordered fresh garlic and mushroom on a pie to go, and when we opened the pie it was clear they had sliced up maybe 2 cloves of garlic at most and you could barely detect any mushrooms. Joanne's is still better, at least for all their selections. I love the Chicken Dijon pizza. Want a good sausage slice--head up to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx.

[albagrl23]

Al Italia (don't know if spelt right) in Lindenhurt. There pizza is very good and they offer a wide variety of pizzas and other entrees at decent prices.

[wishuwerhere]

King Umbertos in Elmont.
They originated the grandma pizza by the way
oh & for those of you like me .. who see slices going up up up. ( do not understand how they can do this) But a slice is still $1.75

[debster]

My two top favorites are: Umberto's in New Hyde Park (Grandma's sicilian) and Grimaldi's in Garden City (as good as the one by the B'klyn Bridge). I have been to Nick's in Forest Hills and will try the branch in Rockville Centre next. Also Patsy's in Syosset is the best in that area of L.I.

[LIfoodguy]

My wife and I ate at Nick's every week when we lived in FH. Moved to RVC and were very disappointed by the Nick's there. It was good, but didn't live up to the original.

Yes to Umberto's, Paradiso in RVC and Pizzaiola in Oceanside.

I will also make a trip to Massapequa for Carmella's grandma slice. They put a mixture of breadcrumbs and onion on top of the sauce and a little bit of parmesan. It's delicious and a nice departure from typical pizzeria offerings!

[grampart]

2006 "Winners" according to http://www.longisland.com/bestpizza/

Best 'REGULAR' Pizza
Prince Umberto's of Franklin Square, New York

Best 'SICILIAN' Pizza
Prince Umberto's of Franklin Square, New York

Best 'MARINARA' Pizza
Paradiso Pizza of Mount Sinai, New York

Best 'GRANDMA' Pizza
Antino's Pizza of Rocky Point

Best 'SPECIALTY' Pizza
Spasso's Pizza of Wantagh, New York

Also, 2004 piece from Slice.com
http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives...

[msciara]

I second Frank's in Farmingdale (or N. Massapequa, rather). No-frills little place with the best pizza and food I've ever tasted!

[jnab121]

I second Spasso's in Wantaugh for specialty Pizza. There and Giuseppes(which is probably my favorite) in huntington are the 2 best as far as I'm concerned. for regular, sicilian and garlic knots I go with La Scala in Commack.

[tasaday]

Gallery IV in Lynbrook!! Great pizza and a a warm homey family style atmosphere!

[eomnonroe00]

Franks in farmingdale-

[HDT]

After reading all the hype about Umbertos in New Hyde Park I desided to go there tonight and try there pizza. (I always associated it with King Umberto in Elmont which I think is awful pizza and food. I can not understand why people rave about it!) I walked in around 8pm on a Tuesday and the place was packed. I waited on line to order 2 regular, 2 sicilian, and 1 grandma. Mentioned to the young man behind the counter that it was my first visit here and wanted to try each slice to see what everyone has been talking about for years. He looked at me funny and said, "This is your first time here!? Then you'd better try one of these margarita slices too," and tossed one in the box. He then said, "we'll be seeing you again, real soon."
Well I just tried the regular slice and it is perfect! Crispy crust, nice sauce, great flavor. I also just had the sicilian and that too was amazing! Again crispy crust, doughy center, good sauce and great taste. If pizza was a cake I'd want it to taste like that! Can't wait until tomorrow still got 4 slices to go... well maybe 3, dont think the other sicilian slice is gonna make it threw the night!
Definiately will be returning there for more pizza. 5 stars! a must try!!! I also hear the food is excellent.

[HDT]

Paradisios in Rockville Centre has excellent pizza and meals
Carmellas in Franklin Square & Massapequa has excellent pizza and meals

[kellygirl]

Has anyone tried Da Angelo's regular pizza lately? I seconded Mike's recommendation a long time ago but realized when I ate it just recently that it hasn't been good in at least a year... It used to taste just like Cuigini's but now the regular pizza is nothing special. Its a shame since there it was the closest good regular pizza to Port Washington. Now I have to travel to Mineola or New Hyde Park for a regular pie.

[GCGuy]

Grimaldi's in Garden City
Mama Theresa's in GC Park, Westbury, and East Meadow

[budcar]

We had a simple cheese and tomato sauce pie last night from Patsy's on Jericho Tpk in Syosset. They took over the diner on the north side of the street It had a wonderful bubbled crust that reminded me of Frank's Pizzeria under the el in East New York where I was introduced to this wonderful Italian creation in the 40's The sauce and cheese were delicious. Very good.

[foodieforthought]

For the regular cheese slice, Three Brothers on Broadway in Bethpage cannot be beat. I think its their sauce, sooo good!

[kellygirl]

I like Da Angelo's too, have you tried their grandPa pizza? It is very good. If you like that place you will love Cuigini (spelling) in Mineola. They used to have the same owners I think but I find Cuigini's regular pizza to be better than Da Angelo's (though Da Angelo's is especially good). I also like Umberto's of New Hyde Park, Little Vincents in Huntington, Emilio's in Commack, Saggio in East Norwich and Grimaldis in Garden City. Steer clear of Port Washington where I live. There is not one place that makes a good regular pie.

[stuartlafonda]

You don't like Sal's Coal Oven Pizza in Port Washington? I am a huge fan of coal oven pizza and I like Sal's, but even if you don't care about the oven, they make a good pie.

[kellygirl]

I have tried Sal's a few times and it is admittedly a better option than the other places in town but it is very expensive and if I wanted to treat myself to expensive brickoven I would much prefer Grimaldi's. They get it exactly right over there.

[stuartlafonda]

Nothing wrong with Grimaldi's in G.C., better then most pizzarias. If I was closer to Sal's,and I am, I would not spend the extra time to go to G.C. .

[chaz]

I would like to support Paradise Pizza-Laurel Rd. Northport, LI

[mcf]

Branchinelli's in Hauppauge/Smithtown is one of the very best, great crisp crust, very garlicky white pie, too, , and Colosseo in Port Jefferson Sta. is, as someone else posted, excellent, especially for Sicilian pie.

[suprakent]

The best pizza in Long Island is by far Umberto's in New Hyde Park. You can pick any slice whether it is plain, sicilian or grandma. I drive from Queens just to go to this place.

[allfood]

in franklin square there is: http://www.cinellis.com
and

Carmellas: http://www.carmelasristorante.com/

Nina's Pizza in Northport has by far the best slices on Long Island

Regular - Outstanding - best crust in NY
Grandma - top it with a few black olives - fantastic

They also do about 20 specialty slices. Thai Chili chicken is my favorite, but I've seen everything from teriyaki pork to pesto penne with chicken.

They also have a $5 all you can eat pizza lunch which includes all specialty slices so you can try everything.

I thought Massa'a was bland. I do like Little Vincent in Huntington, but there is also a place around the corner that has really good pizza. It's kind of a cross from a bakery but I never look at the name.

Another vote for Umberto's New Hyde Park. Whenever I come in from NJ to visit my Dad, I make sure to stop there. Incredible pizza!

[allfood]

I agree Umbertos is great, also the pizzeria in pathmark shopping center in east meadow is great, eddies in woodbury used to be awesome but they closed... Long Island is filled with great pizzerias, one in every town!!!

I have not been there in about a year, but King Umbertos is the best.

Love the Grandma too!

I second that! King Umberto's is the best I've had on the Island nad I've been eating pizza all over the place for the past 40 years. Grandma pizza is spicy and to die for.

By the way, it's in Elmont, corner of Meacham and Hempstead Tpke.

[intrepid]

i started going to umbertos in 1969 or 1970?? its still the best in LI imho

[annaesm]

I'll put in another vote for Umberto's in NHP. We live in the Bronx now, but always try to stop by Umberto's when we visit Mom. Haven't tried the Grandma, though. But fortunately, we're going out there tonight! They also have a great sandwich, Umberto's favorite: chicken, broccoli rabe, and hot cherry peppers. Yum.

Hands down Umbertos in New Hyde park makes the greatest Grandma slices!!
I drive 30 minutes just for the grandma slices

Da Angelo's regular pizza is usually good too. They also make something called Grandpa pizza that is very good.

My favorites for regular pizza are Cuigini in Mineola, Umberto's in New Hyde Park, Emilio's in Commack, Saggio in East Norwich.

This is what I love about Chowhound's! Throw out a question and you get plenty of response and no two answers/opinions are the same!

GO HOUNDS!

In suffolk, the sicilian slices at Coloseo on Rt 112 in Port JEff Station are legendary. Their white slices are also excellent.

[non sequitur]

After seeing this post, and the Newsday top 10 list, we checked out Colosseo (though attributed to Port Jefferson, the true contact info is:
1049 Rt-112, Brookhaven, NY 11776 [phone]

We were not disappointed by the excellent sicilian pie we ordered - very saucy, great cheese, thick foccacia-like crust. It just goes to show you that although "pizza" can mean many things, they are all good (its nothing like Grimaldi's in Brooklyn and John's on Bleeker street, nor is it anything like Gino's East in Chicago, but they are all excellent).

I'll visit Colosseo on every future visit to my in-laws in Corum!

[Clambelly]

Ahhh....John's of Bleeker St. (which I think blows Grimaldi's away), but yes....we have to learn to like Long Island pizza, I guess. There's no other way to survive!!!! hahaha. Not that it's bad, because it's not, and as long as we have an Umberto's (NHP) can't go wrong. Still, it's not the Bronx, where you can "fall" into almost any pizza parlor and score at least a decent, and sometimes an excellent, slice. On the Island, it requires a bit of research, but there's decent pizza to be had.

We like Umberto's in the Cherrywood Shopping Center on Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh. Their wood burning stove pizza is excellent! Thin crust, fresh mozz., flavorful sauce and fresh basil. What could be better!!

[kelvin8r]

I agree, the brick oven Margherita pizza is a steal at $8.50. Comes with fresh mozz & basil-just ask for it "extra crispy". Optional fresh mushroom amps up the flavor.

Usually get the fried calamari as an appetizer. So light & crisp-it even withstands the take-out journey home.

The accent here is *Freshness*-at least for these 2 fantastic offerings!

http://www.umbertosny.com/images/Take...

I like Anna's in Northport for Grandma pizza, but the trick is to get it right out of the oven and if it's to go you have to get it on a cooling rack asap so the crust doesn't get soggy.

On the North Fork it's got to be Lenny's in Jamesport!
They have a very interesting variety in addition to the standards. It's a clean place with good atmosphere, friendly people and they use the best ingredients.

We're in the Huntington area, and my favorite place for a pie (dunno if they do slices) is Massa's on Jericho Turnpike just west of Route 110. The owner is a nephew of Patsy Grimaldi, of NYC pizza fame.

Bella Vista in Plainview by the slice. Awesome !

In Suffolk, my favorites are Mama Lombardi's (sicilian), Pizza Stop (farmingville) and Little Vinnie's in Ronkonkoma.

Michael's in Farmingville has a great Garlic Knot pizza. You can never get too much garlic in my opinion. The pizza maker Justin knows what he is doing.

Grandman pizza at La Pizzialo in Oceanside.

Sicilian pizza at the original Umbertos in New Hyde Park

not to say the best but one of the most unique eddies
(arguably inventors of thin crust pizza) hillside and denton ave in new hyde park

[NYJewboy]

I second Umberto. Still great after 25 years.

[Scott_R]

How does the Wantagh location compare to the original?

[intrepid]

twenty five years, lolol rookie lololol

[foodie1017]

I haven't gone there but want to go (Umbertos)

[fein]

pizzaiola is a great spot. so is paradissio in rockville centre. can't find anything as good in the city. looking fwd to my next trip home. my brother and i always go at least once when we are back.

[Clambelly]

Well, yeah, that's a given. Umberto's, we know, is going to sit high on any Long Island list, but thanks for mentioning it again anyway.