Unbelievable that this NYC pizza place gets little or no recognition?
Can't understand why Lee's Tavern in Staten Island gets very little press as being one of the top pizza places in NYC. So you know I'm not an amateur, - I have been to: the other SI places Denino's, Pat & Joe's, Nunzio's, Ciro's, Goodfella's, etc. Also Totonno's Bklyn, Grimaldi's, Patsy's, Johnny's Westchester, Frannies, Grimaldi's, John's, Luzzo's, etc etc. Also all the New Haven Joints - Modern, Pepe's, & Sally's. Many more including some of the new places in Manhattan that are getting good press lately. What happened when it comes to Lee's Tavern getting recognition - really good thin charred crust with great sauce stuff. Try the sausage pie.
Is it because it doesn't have an Italian name? Maybe Lee has to stay under cover eh eh?
Lucky Bill
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Grimaldi's
1 Front St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Nunzio's
2155 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306
Denino's
524 Port Richmond Ave, Staten Island, NY 10302
Lee's Tavern
60 Hancock St, Staten Island, NY 10305
Goodfella's
1817 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314
By luckyb444
on Jun 25, 2010 09:56 AM
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Agreed. I wrote an enthusiastic mention here a while back. Might have been in one of the longish SI Pizza threads.
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Nick Solares gave them a nice review on Slice back in February.
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The Slice review was ok but did not do justice to this Lee's pie that has been consistently made great for 50 or so years. Sausage pie is delicious. Hangout for NYFD guys and longtime S.I.ers.
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I don't think they are so unknown. always mentioned in the top 8 of SI.
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Lee's Tavern in top 8 in SI? Should be arguably the 1st in SI and close to 1st in the whole city/
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Lee's Tavern
60 Hancock St, Staten Island, NY 10305
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Shhhhhh! It's a secret...
More for us! :-)
Seriously,
It's probably b/c most people are not familiar with SI and many people from the other boroughs either don't have access to a car (SI is not very pub transpo friendly) or don't want to pay the costly toll to visit/explore.
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Dongan Hills train station -- you're there.
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"Dongan Hills train station -- you're there"
It's not as though you can click your heels together 3 times and be there.
Train/bus>Ferry>train. Granted, a wortjwhile shlep but a shlep nonetheless
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Based on a single sampling of the sausage and white clam pies I'd agree Lee's is good, really good. It's also completely distinct in style from most pizzas in the area. Closer (but not identical) to the 'tavern style' found in parts of Chicago and Southern Wisconsin. Much as I enjoyed it I'm not sure it qualifies as 'great' and not sure I'd recommend a special trip except for dedicated hounds. For them - yeah, do it. You can even pretend you're on the South Side or maybe in Racine...As for quality as good or better with added convenience, I'd stick with Motorino Wburg, Di Fara, Roberta's, Nick's Forest Hills among others.
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Motorino
319 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
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I am the first person to say how easy it is to get over to SI, but the fact is that it will never get crazy popular like places in manhattan or brooklyn. Don't complain, I have the same issue ALL THE WAY out in Elmhurst. I don't mind, I can't remember the last time I've had to wait for a table. imagine that...
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I think Lee's gets some props. Enough that I heard about it as a Brooklynite and made a trip out there.
I liked it but its not my top SI pizza. A small notch below Denino's I'd say. On par with P&J's.
I was glad I went, but I don't think I'll rush back.
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Denino's
524 Port Richmond Ave, Staten Island, NY 10302
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I agree they do make a great slice at Lee's......
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coincidence? http://www.eatingintranslation.com/20...
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just saw that, yup; the man gets around!
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Coincidence - No. Never saw that site. I was born in SI. Left SI when they built the BRIDGE but still go back to visit family. I have been around. Most original SI-ers pick Lee's as the best. However, Denino's and J & P's are greeaaatt!! I could never stop at 2 slices at Lee's
Lucky Bill
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Denino's
524 Port Richmond Ave, Staten Island, NY 10302
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hey bill,
I'm sure you were the local guy and Dave might have seen your post right here. Credit to the Islanders!
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