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Joe's Pizza Downtown
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Joe's Pizza Downtown
8.8
Downtown’s go-to New York–style slice shop, Joe’s turns out foldable thin-crust pies with a blistered edge and just-sweet-enough sauce, and it stays open into the early morning for service-industry folks and bar spillover. Expect a fast-moving line, late-night energy, and reliably hot slices whether you order a classic cheese, Sicilian square, or a fully loaded pie.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheese Slice, Sicilian Pepperoni Slice, BBQ Chicken Pizza
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: NYC-style slices with serious late-night hours in the heart of DTLA.
Who should go: Night owls and slice purists chasing classic New York pizza.
When to visit: After 10pm when the line buzzes but moves quickly.
What to order: Cheese slice, Sicilian pepperoni, BBQ chicken pie.
Insider tip: Order individual slices instead of a whole pie for the crispiest re-fired crust.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only—meters are sparse and fill up fast at night. Nearby paid lots range from $8–$15 depending on events in the Historic Core.
Dress code: Totally casual. Come as you are—hoodies, gym fits, post-bar attire all common.
Noise level: Loud during late-night rush; conversational but energetic earlier in the evening.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes for slices; whole pies can take 15–25 minutes.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; quick grab-and-go flow.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—classic cheese, veggie slices, and customizable whole pies.
Vegan options: Limited—no vegan cheese, but you can request a sauce-only slice or veggie toppings on a cheeseless pie.
Gluten-free options: No gluten-free crust available; not recommended for gluten-sensitive diners.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date loves casual, no-frills pizza runs. It’s fun, chaotic, and very ‘New York energy,’ but not ideal if you’re trying to impress with ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's counter-service with limited seating. Most people eat standing or take slices to go. No reservations needed or offered.
Is it kid-friendly? During the day, yes—fast service, simple menu, easy for picky eaters. After 10pm it skews rowdy with bar spillover, so best for older kids or families visiting earlier.
Best For
Better for: Late-night reliability, true New York–style slices, fast service, and wallet-friendly prices.
Skip if: You want a sit-down pizzeria, artisanal toppings, gluten-free options, or a quiet dining environment.
Joe's Pizza Downtown
7.9
Sicilian-born Giuseppe Vitale brings authentic New York thin-crust tradition to downtown since 2003. Hand-tossed pies with family recipes deliver the classic NY experience, featuring crispy slices that fold perfectly and a bustling late-night scene.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grandma Pizza, White Pizza, Pepperoni Slice
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Authentic NYC-style pizza from Sicilian owner with 20+ years LA presence
Who should go: New Yorkers missing home and late-night pizza seekers
When to visit: Late night Friday-Saturday (open until 3am)
What to order: Grandma slice, white pizza, or classic pepperoni
Insider tip: Stand-up counter has crushed red pepper and parm for perfect customization
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only - metered until 8pm ($2/hr), free after. Lot on Spring St ($8 flat evening rate). Expect 5-10 min search on weekends.
Dress code: Come as you are - jeans, hoodies, work clothes all welcome. This is grab-and-go pizza, not a sit-down scene.
Noise level: Lively bustle - counter ordering, pizza ovens, late-night energy. Fine for casual chat, not intimate conversation.
Weekend wait: 10-15 min peak times (7-9pm) for slices, 20-25 min for whole pies. Late night (11pm+) moves faster.
Weekday lunch: 5-10 min typical - office crowd rush 12-1pm, otherwise quick turnaround.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - margherita, white pizza, veggie slice options. Most pies can go cheese-only.
Vegan options: Very limited - marinara slice available (no cheese), but cross-contamination likely. Not their specialty.
Gluten-free options: No - traditional NYC-style requires that crispy thin crust. No GF options available.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date appreciates no-frills authenticity over ambiance. It's counter service in a buzzing slice shop - great for casual 'let's grab a bite' vibes, not romantic dinner territory. Better as a late-night second stop after drinks.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations taken - it's counter service with limited standing room and a few small tables. Peak times (Fri/Sat nights) mean you'll likely eat standing or take it to go. Weekday lunches offer better odds at snagging a spot.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick family meals - kids love the slices, prices are reasonable, and the casual vibe means no stress about noise. Not ideal for very young kids at late-night hours when the bar crowd rolls in. Best for families: weekday dinner or weekend lunch.
Do they deliver? Yes - on major apps (Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates). Slices travel reasonably well in 10-15 min radius. Whole pies are the better delivery bet - slices can lose some crispness in transit.
Can I just grab one slice? Absolutely - that's the whole point. Slices displayed at counter, sold individually ($4-6 each). Perfect for solo quick bite or late-night snack. No minimum, no judgment.
Best For
Better for: Joe's wins for: authentic NYC fold-test pizza, late-night munchies (3am close on weekends), quick solo slice, nostalgic New Yorkers, no-fuss value ($5-7 per person for slices). The real deal without pretension or $20 artisanal pies.
Skip if: You want: sit-down table service, quiet date atmosphere, Neapolitan/wood-fired style, craft cocktails with your pizza, or dietary accommodations beyond basic vegetarian. Also skip if you're seeking Detroit/Chicago thick crust - this is thin-crust NYC only.