From Union Square To Alphabet City Via Dollar Pizza
New York City is famous for some of the world’s best pizza — thin-crusted with the perfect balance of fresh tomato sauce and melted cheese. Every true New Yorker has chosen their spot where the city’s best pizza, an undoubtedly subjective title, is at. There’s the Artichoke Pizza fans or those who likes to keep it simple with Joe’s.
While the dispute over the #1 slice is fierce, all New Yorkers appreciate the city’s treasured $1 slice, not matter the pizzeria. Whether broke, drunk, or hungry, people of all ages and backgrounds depend on the quick cheap meal.
Last May when my lease was up, I moved to East Second Street in Alphabet City. My street, a diverse block, has apartments, an art gallery, a Duane Reade, a little old Italian restaurant, an event space, and FDR 99 Cent Slice Pizza all squeezed in between Avenue A and Avenue B.
I visit the tiny pizza storefront often. There have been times when I’ve been short on cash, 3 a.m. stops after a night out, or even walks home from class when the smell summons me and my grumbling stomach inside.
I have often wondered about the men who work in the dollar slice pizzerias. Usually, they answer your plea for napkins in a thick accent and I wonder where they are from. When I’ve walked past at 3 a.m., I wonder what kind of crazy shenanigans they’ve witnessed.
I decided to investigate the people behind the neon signs and cheap Italian staple food. I mapped out what dollar pizza places were between my college campus near Union Square and my apartment in Alphabet City and stopped in each one, ending with my dollar pizza guys, my antidote to being a broke hungry college student.
Famous 99¢ Pizza on E. 14th Street between 1st Avenue and Avenue A
Washim is 19 years old and moved to the Bronx from Bangladesh just five months ago. He works at Famous 99¢ Pizza 48 hours a week for $10 an hour, while his younger siblings go to school. He shared a photo of himself in Bangladesh with me. His favorite pizza topping is cheese. He said they don’t eat pizza in Bangladesh often. He also offered me a second slice for free, which I tried to refuse since this was only my first stop.
Vinny Vincenz on 1st Avenue between E. 13th Street and E. 14th Street
Although not technically a dollar pizza place, Vinny Vincenz serves up a cheese slice for one dollar if it’s before midnight. Alex pictured below is from Morocco and now lives in Astoria, Queens. He has lived in the U.S. for the past three years. When I asked him where he was from, he jokingly asked me if I was with Immigration Services and Trump. A costumer overheard he was from Morocco and the two chatted in Arabic, while Alex told me, “he’s like my brother.”
2 Bros Pizza on St. Marks Place between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue
2 Bros Pizza is a staple in New York, with stores throughout the city. This location on St. Marks is a particular busy spot with tourists and people out on town stopping in for a quick bite. There were two Hispanic men behind the counter when I stopped by, one behind the register and the other, spinning pizza dough in the air. They disagreed to be interviewed for this piece.
99¢ Fresh Pizza on 2nd Avenue between E. 4th Street and E. 5th Street
99¢ Fresh Pizza is up the street from my old apartment next to a corner bodega and a small hole-in-the-wall vegan cafe. Before becoming a pizzeria, the storefront was once a laundry mat. The man behind the counter said he would have to check with his boss the next day if it was okay to be interviewed.
FDR 99¢ Slice Pizza on E. 2nd Street between 1st Avenue and Avenue A
FDR was my last stop, the pizza shop I pass ever day to and from my apartment. Even for dollar pizza places, FDR is particularly tiny. It couldn’t fit more than four people standing comfortably.
Mia was working tonight. He is also from Bangladesh, but moved to the U.S. about 20 or so years ago. He lives in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn where he raised his children and works part-time at FDR Dollar Slice Pizza. He also works as a taxi driver to support his family. His favorite pizza toppings are pineapple and mushrooms.
