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Pop's Pizza of East Village
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Pop's Pizza of East Village
7.7
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
A small Avenue B slice shop that prioritizes straightforward pies and a quick in-and-out experience. It shines as a neighborhood fallback when you want a hot slice with minimal friction—keep it classic and don’t overcomplicate the order.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheese slice, Pepperoni slice, Margherita-style pie
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: A simple, reliable slice shop that stays focused on speed and basics.
Who should go: Anyone needing a fast, low-stakes pizza fix
When to visit: Late evening for the easiest grab-and-go
What to order: Cheese slice, pepperoni slice, margherita-style pie
Insider tip: Ask for the freshest slice coming out next instead of grabbing from the stack.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; very limited on Avenue B, especially after 6pm. Public transit or walking is the easiest option.
Dress code: Ultra casual—jeans, hoodies, and everyday streetwear fit right in.
Noise level: Low to moderate—mostly quick turnover chatter; fine for solo eating, not meant for lingering conversations.
Weekend wait: 5–10 minutes at most; usually no formal wait, just a short line.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; in-and-out service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—cheese, margherita-style slices, and veggie toppings available.
Vegan options: Very limited—no dedicated vegan cheese; plain sauce slice may be possible if available.
Gluten-free options: No—traditional wheat-based crust only.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a sit-down date—better as a casual pre-walk bite or low-pressure stop rather than a destination meal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There’s minimal seating; plan to eat standing up or take slices to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick stops—simple slices kids like, but limited space and no kid-specific amenities.
Best For
Better for: Fast, no-frills slices when you want something hot immediately without lines or decisions.
Skip if: You’re looking for creative toppings, a sit-down pizza experience, or a destination-worthy slice.
Pop's Pizza of East Village
7.6
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A no-drama slice stop that’s most useful late when you want something hot, fast, and unpretentious. It shines as a “two slices and done” move—enough fuel to finish the night without committing to a long meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheese slice, Vodka slice, Garlic knots
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 7.6
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 7.1
What makes it special: A reliable late-night slice when you need speed and simplicity.
Who should go: Anyone needing a fast post-night bite
When to visit: Late night for quick in-and-out
What to order: Cheese slice, vodka slice, knots
Insider tip: Order at the counter first—then grab a seat if you find one.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited and competitive late at night, rideshare or walking is easiest.
Dress code: Ultra casual—anything goes, from bar clothes to hoodies.
Noise level: Moderate to loud—music and late-night traffic noise make it more functional than conversational.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes depending on late-night rush; lines move fast.
Weekday lunch: No wait typically, quick counter service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—cheese and select veggie slices are usually available.
Vegan options: Limited—occasionally sauce-only slices, not guaranteed.
Gluten-free options: No—standard pizza shop setup without gluten-free crusts.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if the goal is casual and quick—this is more about fueling up than lingering or setting a mood.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—seating is first-come, first-served, but most people eat standing or take slices to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who like pizza, but it’s a late-night, counter-service vibe without special kid amenities.
Best For
Better for: Fast, cheap slices late at night when you want minimal wait and zero decision-making.
Skip if: You want artisanal pies, sit-down comfort, or a place to hang for more than a few minutes.
Pop's Pizza of East Village
7.9
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A small Alphabet City slice stop that hits when you want a straightforward, late-friendly slice with a slightly more caramelized, oven-kissed flavor than the average corner shop. Best as a simple two-item order—plain slice plus one topping—so you can judge the baseline and still get variety.
Must-Try Dishes:
Plain slice, Pepperoni slice, Garlic knots
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: A low-friction late-night slice shop with a distinct caramelized bake.
Who should go: Anyone needing a fast slice after midnight
When to visit: Late night on Fri–Sat
What to order: Plain slice, pepperoni slice, garlic knots
Insider tip: Eat your plain slice first—then decide if you want toppings.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited availability late at night but easier after midnight.
Dress code: Ultra casual—anything goes, especially late.
Noise level: Low to moderate—counter noise but easy conversation.
Weekend wait: 5–10 minutes late night; lines move quickly.
Weekday lunch: No wait typically.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—plain, cheese, and veggie-topped slices available.
Vegan options: Limited—no dedicated vegan cheese; veggie toppings only if avoiding dairy.
Gluten-free options: No—no gluten-free crust or separate prep.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if the goal is casual and quick—great for low-pressure late-night hangs, not a sit-down vibe.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—this is counter service with minimal seating; plan to stand or take slices to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Fine for older kids during earlier hours; late night skews adult and crowded.
Best For
Better for: A quick, caramelized-style slice late at night when you want speed and simplicity.
Skip if: You want sit-down comfort, specialty pies, or dietary accommodations.
Pop's Pizza of East Village
7.9
A newer neighborhood slice shop that leans classic with a few modern, topping-forward plays and a friendly counter rhythm. It’s best used as a quick pie or slice pickup—order one standard and one ‘house’ option—then eat while it’s hot so the crust stays clean and structured.
Must-Try Dishes:
Regular pepperoni slice, Margherita burrata slice, Garlic knots
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Neighborhood-first slice shop with well-built classics and a few twists.
Who should go: Locals who want reliable slices
When to visit: Weekday lunch for fastest service
What to order: Pepperoni slice, margherita burrata, garlic knots
Insider tip: Order one classic slice first, then add a square if you’re still hungry.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited availability and gets difficult after 6pm. Rideshare or walking is easier in this area.
Dress code: Very casual — jeans, sneakers, and everyday neighborhood wear fit right in.
Noise level: Low to moderate — mostly counter chatter and oven noise, easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak hours, mostly dependent on slice availability.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait; quick in-and-out service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple cheese-forward slices and simple veg options available daily.
Vegan options: Limited — availability depends on the day; best to ask at the counter before ordering.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free crust or prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better as a casual, low-pressure stop than a sit-down date — great if the goal is something quick and unfussy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There’s minimal seating; expect standing room or grab-and-go rather than a table setup.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who are fine with quick counter ordering; no special kids menu or high chairs.
Best For
Better for: Fast, reliable neighborhood slices with cleaner structure than most late-night options nearby.
Skip if: You want a full sit-down pizza experience or a destination-level slice worth waiting in line for.
Pop's Pizza of East Village
7.9
A tiny grab-and-go slice shop that leans on high-quality ingredients and a crisp, light crust—ideal for families who want a quick, low-drama meal. The sweet spot is one classic slice plus one “signature” square so the table gets both comfort and a little surprise.
Must-Try Dishes:
Burrata slice (square), Piccante pepperoni slice, Cheese pie/slice
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Thoughtful, ingredient-forward slices that still eat like NYC pizza.
Who should go: Families who want great pizza fast
When to visit: Weekday dinner or late-night
What to order: Burrata slice, piccante pepperoni, cheese slice
Insider tip: Do one square and one regular slice to keep the box balanced.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited; expect to circle or plan to walk. Rideshare or public transit is easier.
Dress code: Very casual—anything from jeans to athleisure fits right in.
Noise level: Low to moderate—mostly counter ordering and quick turnover, not a sit-down dining room.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak slice rushes
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple cheese-forward and veggie-friendly slices available.
Vegan options: Limited—occasionally a cheeseless veggie slice, availability varies.
Gluten-free options: No—standard wheat-based crusts only.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure vibe than a romantic sit-down—great if you want something quick and unfussy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There’s no reservation system and minimal seating—plan to eat standing or take slices to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for elementary-age kids and up—simple ordering, familiar flavors, and fast service work well for short attention spans.
Best For
Better for: Quick, ingredient-driven slices when you want quality without committing to a full meal.
Skip if: You need lots of seating, gluten-free options, or a long, relaxed dinner experience.