Joe & Pat's
If you lived in lower Manhattan in 2012, you might think that Rubirosa is the only place that makes a super-thin-crust pie with excellent vodka sauce. News flash: Rubirosa borrows their recipes and style by from legendary Staten Island spot Joe & Pat's (for context, the owner of Rubirosa is related to the team who started Joe & Pats).
Probably the best pizza in Staten Island is from Joe & Pat's. Its pies are the pinnacle of the thin-crust, vodka-sauced bar pie, one of the borough's most popular varieties. Although it doesn't look like much and has been around since 1960, the pizza is excellent. The crust is extra crunchy and disappearingly thin as a result of the dough being pounded to prevent it from becoming airy.
The sweet and silky vodka sauce is the ideal foil for the pepperoni, which is curled up in crisp cups. But even with just mozzarella, it's tantalizing because, unlike in a traditional New York slice shop, the fresh cheese is used sparingly, keeping the islands of cheese distinct and creamy. The Sicilian is also at the top of its game, with a delightfully soft, moist, and chewy crust that is topped with a vibrant tomato sauce and a manageable amount of cheese. It is not at all bready and dense.
- Perfect for: BIG GROUPS, CASUALWEEKNIGHT DINNER
- Google rating: 4.5/5.0
- Phone: (718) 981-0887
- Website: https://joeandpatsnyc.com/
- Location: 168 1st Ave., New York, NY 10009
