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Original Pizza
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Original Pizza
7.7
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Brooklyn pizza royalty since 1964, now in its second generation under Frank Sr.'s sons Sal and Frank Jr. The thin-crust pizza features crispy texture with fresh tomato sauce that has remained consistent for 60 years. A no-frills counter spot focused purely on quality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheese Slice, Sicilian Slice, Margherita Pizza
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: 60 years of unchanged family recipes with old-world Italian techniques
Who should go: Classic NY pizza enthusiasts and nostalgic locals
When to visit: Lunch for hot fresh slices straight from oven
What to order: Plain cheese slice, Sicilian slice, garlic knots
Insider tip: Second generation family still uses original recipes from 1964
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on 4th Ave. Great transit access - right by the R train subway stop and 3 bus stops at Bay Ridge Ave corner
Dress code: Ultra-casual - this is a no-frills counter spot, come as you are
Noise level: Low - classic slice shop atmosphere, easy conversation
Weekend wait: Minimal wait - counter service, slices ready to go
Weekday lunch: No wait - grab hot slices straight from the display
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - cheese pizza, veggie slices, spinach roll, broccoli roll, cheese calzones available
Vegan options: Very limited - no dedicated options, inquire about marinara-only items
Gluten-free options: Not offered - traditional pizzeria focused on classic recipes since 1964
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only for the most casual, no-frills dates. This is a pure counter-service slice shop - no table service, no ambiance, just exceptional pizza. Perfect for grabbing slices after a movie or walking around Bay Ridge, but not a sit-down date destination.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations taken or needed - it's a counter-service pizzeria. Order at the counter, grab a seat if available, or take your slices to go. Open daily 11am-10pm.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes - the casual counter format works well for families. Kids love watching slices come out of the oven, prices are extremely affordable ($3 cheese slice, $2 for 6 garlic knots), and there's no stress about behavior in a quick-service environment.
Best For
Better for: Pure, unchanged Brooklyn pizza tradition since 1964. The legendary cheese slice with crispy thin crust and fresh tangy tomato sauce. Second-generation family ownership maintaining original recipes. Budget-friendly prices ($3 slices). No-frills focus on quality over gimmicks. Free delivery option.
Skip if: You want a sit-down restaurant experience, extensive menu variety beyond pizza basics, or need gluten-free/vegan options. The Sicilian gets mixed reviews compared to the standout regular slices.
Original Pizza
8.5
Original Pizza is a classic Brooklyn slice shop known for sturdy, well-charred pies, square Sicilians, and fast-moving counter service on a busy stretch of 4th Avenue. Locals treat it as an all-purpose standby for everything from quick solo slices to family pie nights, with decades of neighborhood loyalty behind it.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic cheese slice, Pepperoni slice, Sicilian square pie
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Old-school Brooklyn pizzeria turning out reliably charred slices and Sicilians.
Who should go: Slice lovers craving classic, no-nonsense Brooklyn pizza.
When to visit: Early evening for fresh pies and steady but manageable crowds.
What to order: Classic cheese slice, pepperoni slice, Sicilian square.
Insider tip: Ask which pies just came out of the oven and order from those for the best texture.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; easier on side streets but can be tight after 6pm, especially on weekends.
Dress code: Very casual — jeans, sneakers, and everyday wear are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate — steady hum of customers and street noise, but still easy to talk.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes for slices; 20–30 minutes if ordering whole pies during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or under 5 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — classic cheese, veggie slices, and Sicilian options available daily.
Vegan options: Limited — may accommodate with plain crust and sauce, but no dedicated vegan cheese.
Gluten-free options: No — standard wheat-based dough only.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure first meet than a romantic dinner — great if you want something quick and fun without formality.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There’s no reservation system; seating is extremely limited, so most people eat standing or take slices to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — simple menu, fast service, and affordable slices make it an easy stop for kids of all ages, especially for early dinners.
Best For
Better for: Fast, consistently good Brooklyn-style slices with zero fuss — ideal for everyday pizza cravings and quick family meals.
Skip if: If you want artisan toppings, sit-down service, or a full dine-in experience with wine and ambiance.
Original Pizza
8.2
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Original Pizza on 4th Avenue sits along the Bay Ridge–Sunset Park border and functions as a family-friendly sit-down spot as much as a slice counter. Larger tables, fast service, and combo orders of pies, pasta, and wings make it a go-to for casual family dinners and post-game pizza nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whole cheese or pepperoni pie, Grandma-style square pizza, Garlic knots with marinara
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A sit-down neighborhood pizzeria where families can share pies, pasta, and wings at one table.
Who should go: Groups wanting booth seating and full family-style pizza meals.
When to visit: Early weekend evenings before it fills with big groups.
What to order: A grandma square, classic round pie, side of garlic knots.
Insider tip: Pair a plain pie with a sauce-heavy grandma or Sicilian to keep both kids and adults happy.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on 4th Avenue and nearby side streets; can be challenging after 6pm but usually manageable with a short walk.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, sneakers, and family-dinner attire are all perfectly fine.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours — easy to talk at your table but not a quiet dining room.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during peak family dinner hours
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or under 10 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple veggie pies, baked pasta dishes, salads, and sides.
Vegan options: Limited — plain crust with sauce and veggie toppings; no dedicated vegan cheese.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some locations offer gluten-free crust, but cross-contamination is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual comfort than romance — it’s relaxed, busy, and family-oriented rather than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — most guests walk in, but peak weekend dinners may come with a short wait for larger tables.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — booths, quick food, simple menu options, and a lively atmosphere work well for toddlers through teens.
Best For
Better for: Big family meals where you want pizza, pasta, wings, and shared plates at the same table with fast turnaround.
Skip if: You’re looking for artisan pizza, date-night ambiance, or strict dietary accommodations like vegan or gluten-free cooking.
Original Pizza
7.9
Original Pizza on 4th Avenue straddles the Bay Ridge–Sunset Park border as a sit-down pizzeria where fresh-mozzarella pies and square slices anchor simple, shared meals. It works best for low-key dates when you want to talk over solid pizza rather than dress up for a long, formal dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Supreme Round Pie, Fresh Mozzarella Slice, Vegetable Original Pie
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Classic neighborhood pizzeria known for fresh-mozzarella pies and square slices.
Who should go: Couples wanting a simple pizza-focused date near Bay Ridge.
When to visit: Early weekend evenings before big family groups arrive.
What to order: Supreme round pie, fresh mozzarella slice, vegetable Original pie.
Insider tip: Split a fresh-mozzarella pie and add a few square slices so you can try both crust styles.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only on 4th Avenue and nearby side streets; can be difficult after 6pm, especially on weekends.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans, sneakers, and relaxed date outfits are all appropriate.
Noise level: Moderate — lively during peak hours but still comfortable for conversation at the table.
Weekend wait: 20–35 min without a reservation during peak hours; shorter earlier in the evening.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or under 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple veggie slices, plain cheese, and vegetable pies are readily available.
Vegan options: Limited — some vegetable slices without cheese may work, but no dedicated vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: Not reliably available — cross-contamination risk due to shared pizza ovens.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it’s casual, affordable, and low-pressure, which makes conversation easy without the formality of a full-service Italian restaurant.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes, especially on weeknights or before 7pm on weekends; later weekend dinners may involve a short wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — families with younger kids are common, and the menu is very accessible for children.
Best For
Better for: Relaxed pizza dates, sharing different slice styles, and casual group meals without committing to a long, formal dinner.
Skip if: You want upscale Italian, candlelit ambiance, or a quiet, romantic dining room experience.