In Defense of the NYC Dollar Slice
The $1 slice is disappearing. Here's why it still matters — and where to find the best ones.
The dollar slice is a New York institution under siege.
Rent hikes and inflation have pushed prices up. What was once ubiquitous — a decent slice of pizza for a single dollar — is becoming rare. Some shops now charge $1.50, others $2. The purists are mourning.
But here's the thing: even at $2, the NYC slice remains one of America's great food bargains. And the experience — standing at a counter, plate barely holding together, orange grease pooling at the fold — is quintessentially New York.
What Makes a Good Dollar Slice?
Let's be clear: we're not talking Neapolitan pizza here. Dollar slice shops are working a different angle. The ideal specimen has:
- Structural integrity. It should fold without cracking and hold its point without flopping.
- Cheese coverage. Edge to edge. No bald spots.
- Proper char. Leopard spots on the bottom, slight bubble on the crust.
- High turnover. A fresh slice beats a reheated one every time.
The Best Remaining Dollar Slice Shops
2 Bros Pizza (Multiple Locations)
The chain that kept the dollar dream alive longest. Quality varies by location, but the 38th and 6th spot is consistent. Still $1 as of this writing.
99¢ Fresh Pizza (Multiple Locations)
The name tells you everything. Simple, no frills, gets the job done. The Midtown locations see insane lunch rushes — that means fresh slices.
Percy's Pizza (Greenwich Village)
Slightly more expensive now, but the quality justifies it. Bleecker Street location is iconic.
The Ritual
Order at the counter. Specify plain or pepperoni (other toppings exist but why). Grab napkins — you'll need them. Fold the slice lengthwise. Eat standing, preferably on the sidewalk. Judge all other pizza by this baseline for the rest of your life.
The Economics
How do they do it? Volume. A busy dollar slice shop moves hundreds of pies a day. Thin margins, massive throughput. It's a business model that only works in a city this dense, with this much foot traffic.
The dollar slice isn't about perfection. It's about accessibility — good pizza available to everyone, at any hour, for pocket change. That's worth preserving.