A: We at Ask a New Yorker didn’t know the answer to this one, so we did a little sleuthing. According to the rather gruff fellow who answered the phone there, a wait for 4 people at 5 PM on a Saturday would be approximately 15-20 minutes. Not bad at all, considering the wait for Grimaldi’s is usually an hour-plus.
There’s a reason, however, that we didn’t know the answer: as locals, we don’t frequent John’s. Pizza is a way of life for New Yorkers; it’s a wonderful quick, cheap snack or meal that can be carried with you wherever you go. Grab a slice on the way to the office! the subway! the theatre! the dentist! Waiting in line–or even worse–sitting down at a place where you can only buy a whole pie–kind of negates the purpose.
If you are looking for just a quick fix, try Rosa’s on 27th and 7th. Nothing (and we mean NOTHING) fancy, but their slices are tried and true (read: delicious).
If you are looking to make an evening out of it, try one of New York’s many upscale, gourmet pizza restaurants that make sitting and ordering a pie feel worth your time. Check out Co. on 9th and 24th–their béchamel, parmesan, mozzarella, caramelized onions, and lardons pizza is lovely!
