Matthew's Pizzeria Converts a New Yorker

[daeglo]

My wife and I have been longing for real pizza. Yes were talking about a good slice of New York pizza.

Every slice we've been referred to has been tolerable at best. IMHO Maria D's on Light street and Nick's over in Owings Mills are the closest, but still don't come to the average NY slice.

I was hesitant to try Matthew's Pizzeria. A Baltimore style pizza. But w/ all the raves on this board, I had to try for myself. We went for lunch on Saturday. The place was empty. Prompt, fast, courteous service brought to our table a Margarita pizza (my test pizza).

It was glorious. Lighter than a Chicago deep dish (which I can't stand). A perfect ratio between crust and toppings. Fresh tomatoes w/ quality cheese. A balanced and harmonious creation.

We went shopping, and couldn't stop talking about it. We were back that evening to try it again. This time to restaurant was packed. We ordered the Margarita, and the Everything pizza. Even w/ the wait, the pizza was amazing. The Everything pizza got to be a little salty w/ the olives and anchovies, but still the crust. That deliciously airy, crunchy crust won us over again.

We still miss NY pizza, but now we have a unique pizza worth eating right here in Baltimore.

I thank all you Chowhounds that recommended Matthew's. It is truly an amazing pizza experience.

daeglo

[atls21231]

One of my NYC friends really likes Iggies on Calvert. Not really trying to be NYC-style, but it's really good pizza.

I personally really need to try Joes^2

[daeglo]

When I speak of NY style pizza. I am talking about the average slice on the street the best of which IMHO is Rosario's on Skillman Ave. (52nd St.) in Woodside, NY. Thin crunchy pizza w/ a fresh homemade sauce and a proportionate amount of a good quality mozarella cheese. Patsy's, John's, Grimaldi's well they are on a level above. Coal/wood oven pizza's. I miss those too.

daeglo

[bridgecross]

Oh I could not agree more. He's not open every day, but when he is, Rosario's is the best in NYC, and that includes all those "famous" Manhattan pizzerias.

[Shunick]

Matthew's is the best. Sorry, I don't live near there now.

[Eliz]

Where is Matthew's?

[Hal Laurent]

It's on Eastern Ave. in Highlandtown, just east of Patterson Park.

[mr_henry]

best pizza secret i've found in baltimore is downtown in the Bank of America building (SW corner of Charles and Lombard). there;s a spot in there called paolino's that actually comes pretty close to the "average" NYC slice, which is more often than not what i'm craving when i'm craving pizza. i'm not talking about john's, joe's, or any of the brooklyn spots. just an *average* NYC slice. slightly crispy crust on the bottom, decent cheese and sauce, and not too thin.

anyways, worth a shot if you are downtown and looking for a lunch slice. best slices are actually there on the early side, too, around 11:30 or 12pm, and they've got a decent selection.

[ko1]

Also try Speranza's. 300 block of N. Charles in the food court.

[subinai]

You aren't the first New Yorker to say Maria D's is comparable. That was the post-bar stop on the way home.

[KAZ]

The past tense is very appropriate in this post. Maria D's WAS good. It has gone way down hill and the pizza is closer to bad school cafeteria pizza than nyc style now.

(I speak of the Federal Hill location, not sure if there are others)

[subinai]

The "bad school cafeteria pizza" made me LOL. I haven't been there in a while. I'll steer clear of it. Thanks for the heads up.

[prettygrl]

when you mention nyc style pizza are you referring to lombardi's patsy"s?? i didn't think any one made these type or even came close to it in anywhere outside the big apple.