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Joe's Pizza
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Joe's Pizza
8.7
Award-winning New York-style thin crust recognized by LA Times and Zagat, serving authentic East Coast slices until midnight on weekends. This is where locals go when they want legitimate NY pizza without the cross-country flight.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic NY Cheese by the Slice, Pepperoni with Garlic Knots, White Pizza with Ricotta
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: Authentic NY pizza technique with California ingredients
Who should go: East Coast transplants and pizza purists
When to visit: Late night Friday or Saturday after bars
What to order: Large slice combo, garlic knots, Caesar salad
Insider tip: Order ahead on weekends to skip the line
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only, very difficult after 8pm - budget 10-15 min to find a spot or use nearby public garage on 2nd Street ($8 flat rate after 6pm)
Dress code: Completely casual - come as you are, popular with bar crowd late night
Noise level: Loud and energetic - standing room often, not ideal for intimate conversations
Weekend wait: 30-45 min for seating, 15-20 min for takeout slices
Weekday lunch: 5-10 min for slices, immediate seating usually available
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - excellent veggie slice options plus build-your-own
Vegan options: No - no vegan cheese available, limited to marinara slice without cheese
Gluten-free options: No - traditional NY dough only, salads are the only GF option
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want super casual - it's loud, often standing-room only, and not romantic. Better for a fun third or fourth date when you're comfortable
Can I get a table without a reservation? They don't take reservations - it's first-come, first-served. Best strategy is to grab slices at the counter and eat standing or find street seating
Is it kid-friendly? Yes until 9pm - kids love the huge slices. After 9pm it becomes more of a bar crowd scene, especially on weekends
Best For
Better for: Authentic NY-style thin crust that actually folds properly, open later than any other quality pizza spot, best drunk food pizza in Santa Monica
Skip if: You want Neapolitan style, need a sit-down dinner experience, or prefer Chicago deep dish - try Stella Barra or 800 Degrees instead
Joe's Pizza
8.8
Award-winning New York-style pizza joint serves authentic thin-crust slices with perfectly freckled char from the oven. Since 2019, this celebrity-endorsed spot has become the go-to destination for families seeking genuine NY pizza on the West Coast.
Must-Try Dishes:
NY Cheese Pizza, Grandma Pie, Sicilian Deep Dish
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.9
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 9.1
What makes it special: Authentic NYC pizza with organic California farm ingredients
Who should go: Pizza purists and families seeking authentic NY slices
When to visit: Weekend lunch for family time, late night for cravings
What to order: Classic cheese slice, pepperoni, garlic knots
Insider tip: Card only - no cash accepted
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking challenging after 5pm, public garage 2 blocks away ($3/hr)
Dress code: Come as you are - totally casual, beachwear welcome
Noise level: Lively and bustling - expect happy family chatter
Weekend wait: 20-30 min for table, grab slices at counter immediately
Weekday lunch: No wait for tables, 5-10 min for fresh pies
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - all veggie toppings plus margherita and white pizzas
Vegan options: Limited - can do cheeseless pizza with veggies on request
Gluten-free options: No - traditional NYC dough only, no GF crust option
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual third dates - it's loud, messy, and unpretentious. Save it for when you're comfortable eating with your hands.
Can I get a table without a reservation? They don't take reservations - it's first come, first served. Weeknights are easy, weekends expect a short wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Absolutely - high chairs available, kids love watching the pizza toss, and staff are patient with messy eaters. Peak family hours 5-7pm.
Best For
Better for: Authentic NYC-style thin crust that actually tastes like New York - the char and chew are unmatched in LA
Skip if: You want deep dish, Neapolitan, or anything fancy - this is strictly no-frills NY slice shop territory
Joe's Pizza
8.8
This NYC transplant brings authentic New York-style pizza to Santa Monica with perfectly charred thin crusts and that essential fold test. Award-winning and celebrity-endorsed since opening, Joe's maintains the classic slice shop tradition with fresh California ingredients.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Cheese Slice, Fresh Mozzarella Pie, Grandma Pizza
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: Authentic NYC pizza technique with California-sourced organic ingredients
Who should go: NY pizza purists and late-night slice seekers
When to visit: Late night Friday/Saturday for the full experience
What to order: Classic cheese, fresh mozzarella, garlic knots
Insider tip: Order by the slice for the truest NY experience
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking challenging after 5pm, nearby public lots $3-8, consider walking from 3rd St Promenade
Dress code: Come as you are - beachwear to business casual all welcome
Noise level: Bustling slice shop energy - fine for casual conversation but not intimate
Weekend wait: 10-20 min line for slices, no formal seating wait
Weekday lunch: 5-10 min line typical during lunch rush
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - all cheese and veggie pizzas, plus garlic knots
Vegan options: Very limited - can do marinara slice without cheese on request
Gluten-free options: No - traditional NYC dough only, no GF crust option
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual third date - the grab-a-slice vibe is too low-key for first impressions but perfect once you're comfortable
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations needed or taken - it's counter service with limited seating, most people eat standing or take to-go
Is it kid-friendly? Absolutely - quick service, familiar food, and no one bats an eye at pizza-faced toddlers. Peak family time is 5-7pm
Best For
Better for: Authentic NY-style by-the-slice experience you can't get at Prince Street or Pizzana's sit-down format
Skip if: You want Neapolitan style or table service - hit Forma or Gjelina instead for that elevated pizza date
Joe's Pizza
8.5
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Late Night Legends
Family Friendly Favorites
This New York slice emporium brings authentic East Coast pizza to Santa Monica with thin, crispy crusts and that perfect cheese-to-sauce ratio. Since 2005, locals and tourists alike line up for oversized slices that capture the essence of NYC street pizza.
Must-Try Dishes:
NY Cheese Slice, Pepperoni Pizza, Grandma Sicilian
Scores:
Value: 9.1
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Authentic NY-style slices steps from the beach
Who should go: Pizza purists craving East Coast authenticity
When to visit: Late night for post-pier perfect slices
What to order: Classic cheese slice, pepperoni, garlic knots
Insider tip: Skip the line by ordering whole pies to go