0 Followers
Upside Pizza
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Upside Pizza
7.9
This 90s-throwback slice joint near Port Authority elevates the NYC pizza experience with naturally leavened sourdough crusts and homemade mozzarella pulled daily. Creative specialty slices like the Falcowitz with lemon-cream sauce and the Fuzzy Dunlop with pickled peppers have earned Grub Street recognition.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falcowitz Slice, Pepperoni Papi, Detroit Square Slice
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Naturally leavened sourdough crust with daily house-made mozzarella
Who should go: Pizza enthusiasts seeking quality slices beyond tourist traps
When to visit: Late night after 10pm when fresh pies come out for the bar crowd
What to order: Falcowitz slice, Fuzzy Dunlop, any Detroit-style square
Insider tip: Open until 3am Thursday-Saturday—best late-night slice near Times Square
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated parking—street parking nearly impossible in Garment District. Subway (A/C/E at 42nd St-Port Authority) or rideshare recommended
Dress code: Come as you are—counter-service slice shop with checkered floors and 90s vibes
Noise level: Moderate-loud—bustling slice counter energy, music playing, but conversation is easy
Weekend wait: 5-10 min line possible during peak evening hours
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait—grab and go
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—cheese slice, Falcowitz (lemon-cream mushroom), cheese-less Sicilian with garlic and basil
Vegan options: Limited—cheese-less Sicilian is dairy-free; no vegan cheese substitutes available
Gluten-free options: No—sourdough-based operation without GF crust options
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only for ultra-casual first dates where you both want late-night slices standing at a counter. Great post-bar stop, but this isn't sit-down romance territory.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations needed or accepted—it's counter service. Limited bar seating and a few tables, but most grab slices to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—classic slices appeal to all ages, quick service keeps antsy kids happy, and the casual vibe means no one minds if things get messy. Reviews specifically mention kids loving the sourdough crust.
Best For
Better for: Quality-focused late-night slices with artisan sourdough crust and house-pulled mozzarella—a massive upgrade from generic tourist-trap pizza near Times Square and Port Authority
Skip if: You need vegan cheese, gluten-free crust, or a proper sit-down meal with table service
Upside Pizza
8.3
A Midtown slice shop with a slightly more crafted edge—crisp bottoms, bold flavors, and a cult favorite spicy vodka build. It’s a strong late-night stop because it stays open deep into the morning on weekends and rewards decisive ordering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy vodka slice, Pepperoni square (Sicilian-style), Garlic knots
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A late-night slice with a signature spicy vodka option and crisp, sturdy crust.
Who should go: Slice fans who like bold flavors
When to visit: Thu–Sat after midnight for full late-night hours
What to order: Spicy vodka slice, pepperoni square, garlic knots
Insider tip: If you’re getting a square, ask for it extra hot—crisp edges matter.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and difficult after 6pm; garages nearby but pricey late night.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, sneakers, and late-night city wear fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate to loud late at night—fine for quick chats, not ideal for long conversations.
Weekend wait: 15–30 min after midnight depending on line volume
Weekday lunch: No wait typically; quick in-and-out
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—cheese, marinara, and veggie-forward slices are always available.
Vegan options: Limited—can do a no-cheese marinara slice; no dedicated vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: No—standard wheat crust only; not suitable for gluten-free diets.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better as a casual or late-night date than a sit-down one—great if you want something quick and low-pressure, less ideal if you want privacy or long conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There’s limited seating and no reservations—expect to stand or grab a quick counter spot if one opens.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes during the day and early evening; late night skews adult with louder energy and lines.
Best For
Better for: Bold-flavor slices, especially spicy vodka, with a crispier, more intentional build than standard NYC slice joints.
Skip if: You want a full sit-down pizza experience or need lots of seating—classic slice counters or pizzerias with dining rooms will work better.
Upside Pizza
8.2
A Midtown slice shop with a more crafted edge than the typical grab-and-go counter—crisped bottoms, bolder topping builds, and a menu that rewards choosing one signature slice instead of sampling everything. It’s strongest when you eat on the spot so the crust stays structured and the cheese doesn’t slump.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pepperoni slice, Spicy vodka slice, Garlic knots
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A slice-shop format with more chef-y, bold pie builds.
Who should go: Slice fans who like louder flavors
When to visit: Late afternoon for shorter waits
What to order: Pepperoni, spicy vodka, garlic knots
Insider tip: Ask for your slice extra hot—crisp edges matter here.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Street parking is limited and competitive; garages nearby are the most reliable option, especially after 6pm.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, sneakers, and everyday streetwear all fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate to lively. You can talk, but expect background buzz during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes during peak evening hours; faster if you’re ordering slices to go.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or under 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple vegetarian slices and pies are usually available.
Vegan options: Limited—occasionally a vegan slice or customization, but not a dedicated focus.
Gluten-free options: No—no dedicated gluten-free crust or prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want something casual and low-pressure. It’s better for a quick, fun bite than a long, intimate sit-down.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There’s very limited seating, and it’s first-come, first-served. Plan to stand or eat quickly rather than count on a table.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who like pizza and fast-paced spots. There’s no kids’ menu or space for strollers, so it’s not ideal for toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Bold, chef-driven slice flavors with crisp texture—stronger topping builds than classic NYC slice counters.
Skip if: You want a quiet sit-down meal, lots of seating, or traditional, plain-Jane slices over creative combinations.
Upside Pizza
8.4
A Midtown slice shop that runs like a modern pit stop: fast lines, hot pies, and enough seating turnover to keep families moving. The menu shines when you lean into their signature sauce-forward slices—especially the spicy vodka—on a crisp, sturdy crust built for folding and walking.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy vodka slice, Square pepperoni slice, Garlic knots
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Signature spicy vodka and square slices with a reliable Midtown rhythm.
Who should go: Families needing a fast, good slice
When to visit: Off-peak lunch or early dinner
What to order: Spicy vodka slice, square pepperoni, garlic knots
Insider tip: Order a whole pie if you’re feeding 3+—it lands hotter together.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site parking. Street parking is very limited; nearby garages are the realistic option.
Dress code: Casual — anything you’d wear walking Midtown is fine.
Noise level: Moderate to loud — energetic slice-shop buzz, quick conversations are fine but not intimate.
Weekend wait: 15–25 minutes during peak hours; lines move quickly.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes off-peak; brief line during the noon rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple cheese and vegetable-forward slice options.
Vegan options: Limited — sauce-only or vegetable slices without cheese when available.
Gluten-free options: No — no dedicated gluten-free crust or prep process.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, no-pressure meet-up than a sit-down date — it’s fast, loud, and focused on great slices rather than lingering.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter service with first-come seating, but expect to eat quickly or stand during busy periods.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for school-age kids and up — simple ordering, fast food delivery, and familiar flavors; less ideal for strollers at peak times.
Best For
Better for: Fast, high-quality slices with bold sauces when you need efficiency and consistency in Midtown.
Skip if: You want a relaxed sit-down pizza meal, quieter conversation, or gluten-free accommodations.
Upside Pizza
7.6
A fast, modern slice shop that’s surprisingly good for a casual date: hot pies, quick lines, and sturdy slices built for walking Midtown. It’s not candlelit—but as a pre-show bite or late-night reset, it’s a dependable move.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy vodka slice, Square pepperoni slice, Garlic knots
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Hot, sauce-forward slices that hold up on the move.
Who should go: Couples doing a casual, quick Midtown bite.
When to visit: Pre-show or late night for fastest flow.
What to order: Spicy vodka slice, square pepperoni, garlic knots.
Insider tip: If you’re sharing, order two different squares—better heat retention.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is extremely limited; paid parking garages nearby are the realistic option, especially after 6pm.
Dress code: Very casual—jeans, sneakers, and coats are standard.
Noise level: Moderate to loud—fine for quick conversation, not ideal for long talks.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak Times Square rush; lines move quickly.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or just a few minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—cheese slices, margherita-style options, and veggie-topped squares.
Vegan options: Limited—may be possible with sauce-only or select veggie slices; not guaranteed.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free crust or prep; not safe for strict gluten avoidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—for a low-pressure, casual first date. It works best if you’re pairing it with a show or walk, not as the main event.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There’s no reservation system; expect counter ordering and limited seating, especially at peak times.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—simple slices, fast service, and flexible seating make it easy with kids, though it can feel hectic late at night.
Best For
Better for: Quick, hot slices with modern flavors that hold up for walking or standing—especially pre-show or late night.
Skip if: You want a sit-down Italian dinner, quiet ambiance, or a romantic, linger-worthy date.