During a recent trip to New York for our anniversary, my partner surprised me with the plan. Instantly, I dove into researching where to dine. In less than two days, I meticulously pinned 72 spots on my custom Google Map, with a whopping 34 of them being restaurants.

While some may find this excessive for a four-day getaway, my reasoning was simple: having an array of dining options in various neighborhoods would ensure we never went hungry while exploring. After consulting with friends and family about our itinerary, one recommendation that stood out was Joe’s Pizza.

Joe’s had caught my attention, particularly after its appearance in Spider-Man 2 when Peter Parker (played by Tobey Maguire) lost his pizza delivery job for being too slow with orders.

Many celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, are known fans of Joe’s Pizza. Kim famously bought 10 boxes from Joe’s after the 2022 Met Gala, where she donned a Marilyn Monroe-inspired dress alongside Pete Davidson.

Wearing the iconic Jean Louis gown that Marilyn wore in 1962 for JFK’s birthday, Kim’s dress shocked onlookers as it gave the illusion of being nude and covered in diamonds. The pizza from Joe’s marked the end of her strict three-week carb-free, sugar-free diet to fit into the legendary dress. If Kim Kardashian endorsed the pizza, it had to be worth a try, right?

The night before, I had seen a long line outside the Joe’s Pizza branch near Times Square. So, spotting only a few customers at the Fulton Street outlet, I hurried inside.

Quickly placing my order, the staff promptly reheated a slice for me, leaving a positive impression. Rather than serving a lukewarm slice, they ensured it was piping hot.

The generously sized pizza slice, priced at just $4.50, felt like a steal compared to other meals I had in New York.

Upon first bite, I noticed the pizza wasn’t greasy but perfectly crispy with a generous layer of cheese. The balance between sauce and cheese was just right, showcasing the freshness of the dough and quality ingredients.

My only critique was a lack of seasoning beyond the tomato base. While I could have opted for a slice with toppings, I couldn’t shake the feeling that some herbs would have elevated the experience. Overall, I’d rate Joe’s Pizza a solid 7/10. On a bitterly cold day with temperatures plunging to -21°C with wind chill, it was the perfect fuel for our day covering over 22,000 steps.