<p>I have a question about New York pizza, based on what we got on our last trip at two different pizza restaurants. Both places seemed to really go light on the cheese. In fact, I’d say only 1/2 to 2/3 of the pizza face had cheese. Is this normal?</p>
<p>My son swears by Avocado’s on 14th street near 1st avenue. (I hope that I got the name right.)</p>
<p>EmilySpinach,
I think you’re referring to Artichoke Basille’s on 14th near 1st. Artichoke? Avocado? Close enough. 
I have been reading about this place more and more recently. Outstanding reviews.</p>
<p>toledo - no, I don’t think it’s typical that NYC pizza is generally light on the cheese. I think what makes it great pizza is the quality of the cheese (not quantity) – that is in fact exactly what my son mentioned last week when we ate at John’s on Bleeker, always my favorite.</p>
<p>Im a NYC native and I would say its either Johns of Bleecker or lucali in Carrol gardens. Johns is good, but the large number of tourists kills it.</p>
<p>OK–Original Poster here. I have to send the list to S sometime tomorrow before he flys out to visit the friend at NYU. I really appreciate all the suggestion and observations.</p>
<p>Here is the updated list.</p>
<p>The clear “winner” is: John’s on Bleecker St.- which is very close to NYU --NINE (9) POSITIVE COMMENTS</p>
<p>Grimaldi’s, 1) after all of the hulabaloo. Somewhat of a letdown, 2) too tomato-y in my opinion</p>
<p>Lombardi’s-Spring Street which is not far from NYU</p>
<p>Mariella Pizza - 960 8th Ave between 56th & 57th streets</p>
<p>Patsy’s is also good; there are several in NYC --strong thumbs up for location at 1st Ave up by 117th St in East Harlem</p>
<p>Denino’s on Staten Island.</p>
<p>**Otto<a href=“Batali’s%20pizza/pasta%20restaurant”>/B</a> is good and is a lot of fun</p>
<p>Lucali’s on Henry St. in Brooklyn </p>
<p>New Amici on 3rd ave by 12th street</p>
<p>Difara’s in Midwood, Brooklyn The only pizza in NY that is really worth an effort to get to. Several have heard its great but so far no actual diners have posted </p>
<p>L&B Spumoni Gardens– I’ve never had it but I have friends who swear it’s the greatest</p>
<p>lucali in Carrol gardens</p>
<p>Artichoke Basille’s on 14th near 1st</p>
<p>**'Original Rays"Pizza **–many variations in the Village/downtown areas–several not positive responses</p>
<p>Only bad thing about Johns is its really really thin and Mexicans make it. I can eat an entire large pie by myself. </p>
<p>Oh and for the list </p>
<p>Lucali’s on Henry St. in Brooklyn
and
lucali in Carrol gardens</p>
<p>are the same place.</p>
<p>Dr. Horse --thanks for the additional info and clarification</p>
<p>I agree New York Pizza is special, but it is not what I miss the most. I grew up in Queens, which I believe might be the most ethnically diverse city in the world. Not just “West Indian food”, but Trinidadian, etc. Check out [Outer</a> Boroughs - Chowhound](<a href=“http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/19]Outer”>http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/19), re outer boroughs if you have time.</p>
<p>Where was this thread (the internet, for that matter) some 20 years ago when I needed it? Back then we visited H’s sister who had recently immigrated from India with her H. They lived in Brooklyn after spending some time in other eastern US areas and we drove way out to a Pizza Hut on Long Island for a pizza place she liked. H and I could have had the same pizza in Wisconsin. We didn’t suggest trying any one of dozens of probably good places much closer to her apt like we should have. Another immigrant/pizzas story- H knew someone who started his US life in NY and when he came to the Midwest was surprised to find that pizza came in large round pies, not just slices.</p>