Sal and Carmine Pizza Reviews

We saw reviews and the place was a stones throw from our accommodation. We wanted a quick snack and had been round the corner to another place which wasnt very good. So getting to the point amazing i only had magarita but my brother tried pepperoni and the mushroom. All very good and proper NY pizza with good history.. we even went for a slice just before we got our uber to the airport.

Delicious Pizza, thin base and sauce and ingredients that are just like my nonna used to make in her kitchen many years ago. Will be back! Grazie tanto.

Yeah the pizza was ok, nothing special but OK. Fountain drinks listed on the board for 1.00....but no fountain drinks. Asked far a fork and knife.....no fork or knife. Door on the bathroom said, customer use only, asked to use the bathroom....no bathroom. Come on Man!

Maybe the best slice joint in the city. Real no frills, old school, total institution; surprised it never was on Seinfeld.

Can't believe we traveled so far uptown for a slice of salty cheese on cardboard. Friend from Cali texted his buddy to say "NY pizza, all hype" (and we all know avocado and microgreens are not pizza toppings!) Gotta represent the east coast so I'm still in pursuit of a good slice of NY pizza (just too many other food options), otherwise New Haven pizza is still tops!

Probably the best pizza I've had in New York City. The crust is very tasty and the sauce is not sweet which is a turn off for me and I suspect most pizza lovers.

Hubba Hubba! We found this little pizza place by accident. It was meant to be! We read the newspaper articles hanging on the wall and learned the history of Sal and Carmine whilst our pizza slices were warmed. Wow - the pizza was out of this world!! I could not recommend this place highly enough!

Though the guys working here might be a bit gruff, the pizza is awesome. The crust is light yet it stands up. Some of my favorite crust anywhere. The cheese blend is great, and it nice and salty. Lived up to and exceeded my expectations.

I’ve been dreaming about the pizza since I visited. I can safely say this is the BEST pizza in the world. I live in the UK, every-time I order pizza here, my boyfriend always goes “well it’s not a Sal and Carmine pizza” no pizza compares. I look forward to my next trip so to New York mainly for that pizza!

I'm biased because I live over the place but it's simply the best. Thin crust tastes slightly sweet not too greasy. Sal is passed but carmine still ruLes roost. Don't expect friendly chit chat. No ambience

Lots of pizza choices on the Upper Westside but this iconic "old-timer" is the place to go -- not for ambience, not for pleasant service but for terrific pizza!

IMHO the best slice joint in New York. Inspires fevered dreams.

No frills, just New York pizza at its' best. The crust, the sauce, absolute perfection. By the slice or by the pie, this place can not be beat.

I've always loved this place and thought it was the best in the neighborhood but they have been inconsistent. I ordered a few slices through Amazon Prime Now and they tasted like someone forgot to add the full amount of sauce. Too bad because it was a neighborhood standby.

There is no pizza in South Carolina that I've had that's nearly as good at this pizza. The pizza was truly authentic New York style and very good. Really expensive though two pizzas for 54 bucks.

A place I have to make a stop and eat at when in the Upper West Side neighborhood. The no frills dining area makes the experience. Great cheese pizza with a good stiff crusty outside.

Sal and Carmine's has the best pizza in New York. Chewy crust, tangy sauce. Don't expect a lot of atmosphere although it definitely feels like a throwback to 1980's New York. Sadly, Sal and Carmine are no longer there, but the pizza remains great.

Tired maybe 6 different slice joints in NY and this was the best I found - also recommended by a local. It's been there forever and is totally no nonsense, loved it

I have had their pie a few times, it's darn near addictive. It amazes me how something so familiar and so simple can be so varied in style and flavor. I have had pizza in many corners of the country, but this pie continues to be my favorite. The crust, sauce, and cheese are masterfully prepared and are perfect. A slice of cheese from S&C is heaven!

My dad and I knew we had to try New York pizza. We stopped by Sal and Carmine for a slice. We are so glad that we did. It was super busy when we went and we could see why. It was affordable as well as tasty. Such a nice balance between the sauce to the crust. Must do.

We’ve stopped at Sal & Carmine’s for decades, whenever on the UWS. Consistently great for just a slice or an entire pizza for the family. Crust and toppings are beyond compare. In our view, this is the best … and many similar testimonials exist. Details of this venerable establishment are displayed in the many photos and articles on the wall. Owners are serious about their pizza and will not deliver for fear of compromising quality. You can put it in a box and take it with you, if you like.

Best in NYC, still owned and run by Sal and Carmine, who work the counter daily. Delicious plain pizza, perfectly hot.

Among the very few GREAT pizza joints on the UWS. The thing I value most with pizza is consistency and Sal & Carmine’s never disappoints.

Hard to find, hard to park, staff was the owner and seemed disinterested in being there...but it was all worth it! The pizza here is awesome and worth all the trouble it took to get it! Thanks for carrying on the tradition!

I was pretty skeptical at first when I walked in. This place is tiny and not so fancy looking. But I had heard some good reviews so I gave it a go. The pizza is delicius!! I had the regular cheese slice which they heated up. I asked for water but they didnt have any cups so a soda can it was. I paid 4 dollars for a slice and a soda. I loved it and will definetly recommend it to my friends.

My granddaughter, who is from Salt Lake City, wanted to have some real New York pizza while we were here, and this one was just a block from our hotel and had good reviews. She went and got us some slices for our dinner the first night, and they were indeed very good. To us they weren't over-salty, which some had said. Excellent crusts, fine cheese and toppings, not expensive.

Sal and Carmine's Pizza is so very delicious! The mozzarella has a taste like no other. I always get mine with extra cheese so I can get plenty of the freshly made mozzarella. It is slightly salty which blends perfectly with the slightly tangy sauce. The crust is slightly chewy with just enough crust. Can't visit NYC without a visit to Sal and Carmines for a slice or two! BTW, its cash only, so visit the ATM before you go.

This is a pizza place that specialises in slices. The maximum time you are allowed to stay is 20 minutes, not that you'd want to stay much longer! Its the place to grab a slice or three, a can of drink and continue on your way. It was delicious pizza and was just what we needed for lunch. Slices were $3 each.

I grew up on this pizza which Sal himself would bring home after work to give to his neighbors. There was 1 pizza ranked higher in New Haven Connecticut which I also ate. Honestly, Sal’s was better. Now I think Sal’s grandson Luciano is working the place with relatives. I had take out several times- meatballs, chicken parm, sausage and of course pizza. Mouth watering, excellent and without equal. Better than Italy. Good price, great food, the real McCoy!

I took the subway from Penn Station just to try a slice based on reviews. For me it was acceptable but not extraordinary. It came out plenty hot and the crust was good. I'd certainly go back, but I would make a special trip again for a slice.

I suspect it's largely nostalgia. The pizza is SALTY--not just a little, but enough that you feel like you've been at a salt lick. It's very near to my apartment, and I would love to believe the hype about this being one of the best pizzas in town, but... bleh! Maybe they focus their energy on the slice. We've ordered a whole pie twice, and both times we've basically thrown it out as inedible.

Sal and Carmine opened their pizza shop in 1958. Two generations later, their pizzas are still the best. I was addicted beginning in the late 70’s when I moved into the West Side (S&C was then on Broadway at 95th). For 20 plus years Sal and Carmine was my pizza of choice. But I moved West and haven’t been town for many years. But back to the City for a visit, I was very pleased to see their store, almost completely unchanged from some twenty years ago. But more important, the pizza is as good as ever. The cheese and tomato toppings are good quality. But what distinguishes S&C’s pizzas are their crusts. Never soggy in the middle, their crusts have that perfect blend of mild crunchiness and chewiness. If you judge pizzas by the array of toppings, this may not be your cup of tea. A simple cheese pizza is what I opt for at S&C. But if you are a true pizza connoisseur, you will appreciate the artistry at Sal and Carmines.

If you catch this pizza joint at a good time, Sal & Carmine's is actually quite good. The crust is thin, yet crispy and sturdy. The toppings aren't amazing, but the cheese and dough combo is a winner. Prices are comparable to other pizza places.

I like a good pizza and I do have to say New York City has some of the best pizza I have ever eaten even on a trip to Venice, Italy. I lived for three years in NYC and tried different pizzas during my time there. So when my daughter and I were in NYC in October 2018 for an overnight visit to see the city, we traveled here to try the pizza. I read an article back in 2017 that it was rated one of the best pizzas in NYC. I told the guys there that I traveled from Virginia and since I was in Manhattan I want to try their pizza because of that article. So I ordered one slice of cheese pizza because my daughter said she was not hungry.... well that changed really quick after she took a bite of my pizza. I went and got another slice and after one bite I also agreed that this was really good pizza and went and ordered two more whole pizzas (one pepperoni) to take with us back to Virginia. I had parchment paper and an extra shoulder bag to carry the pizza in... by the way guys the pizza made it with no problem and still tasted good!! Of course the guys thought I was a little crazy and asked if there are no good pizza makers in Virginia... mostly no unless you find a good place that makes it like this. They should consider opening a pizza restaurant down here!! The guys are friendly, they use the best ingredients to create the pizzas they make, the restaurant is clean and enough seating for normal traffic or you can take it with you (use a pizza box).

For a quick lunch, down the street from Absolute Bagels is Sal & Carmine’s Pizza. Like Absolute Bagels, you will walk right by this place if you’re not looking for it – it’s pretty boring looking. But you’re there for the pizza, not the ambiance. And the pizza does not disappoint. Your order will be taken by this really crusty, curmudgeonly old guy (my guess is he was either Sal or Carmine…) but he’s harmless. The cheese slices are $3 and the ones with toppings are $4. As far as slices go, you’d be hard-pressed to find a place with a better New York slice. The slice was very large, and the crust was perfectly thin and crispy. The pizza had the right amount of cheese and was greasy enough without dripping all over the place. It really hits the spot if you have that pizza craving.

We tried a slice of pepperoni and sausage pizza on a hot summer Sunday at Sal and Carmine. The pizza was great. There is limited seating in the back but it was very hot in there. Don't plan on that on a hot summer day. Bottom line: classic New York pizza if you want to experience it.

My wife and I visited New York, and had our eye out for pizza. This place was quaint and had some decent pizza slices. Sal and Carm were nowhere to be found. I asked for a fresh small pizza and they said they only made personal mediums. When it came out it was enormously big and very expensive. It was tasty and had a good composition, but I was a little Cheesed at being misled. One of the gentlemen was accommodating and wrapped up what we couldn't finish nicely. The other dude was dismissive. And no patrons are allowed to use the bathroom! Don't order mushrooms, they're canned.

The pizza was good, not great. Place is rundown without any care. Man at counter is not personable and barely speaks. Cheap which is good. If you're in the area grab a slice but don't go out of your way.

If you are looking for an old fashion, family owned pizza shop look no further. I grew up getting my pizza at Sal and Carmines and it still remains my favorite place! They use fresh ingredients and a traditional style oven resulting in delicious pizza. Whenever my friends come and visit me this is one of the first places I take them to. If coming to visit New York I would highly recommend going here to taste some genuine New York Pizza.

Given the many choices of excellent pizza, I always find that I end up at Sal and Carmines when cravings strike. The work the dough the old-fashioned way and let it rise for a long time in wooden drawers. I find their sauce to be well-balanced but will readily admit that some people think it is a bit too salty - probably why I like it so much. There is no one flavor that is overpowering - which I find important. The dough is crisp, thin, and perfect. For me, this is the best pizza around.

great pizza by the slice. not too overdone, basic choices but very very tasty.

Every year we vacation in NYC, staying at the Broadway Hotel & Hostel at 101st & Broadway. Right up Broadway in the 103 block is a Duane-Reade store & the MTA station. You need to walk right by Sal & Carmine's to get there. I have a hard time not stopping every time I walk by. I get a slice to go, usually going traditional, pepperoni or cheese, but have tried others & have not been disappointed. This thin crust pizza is very tasty, with a great sauce, and is not heavy & chewy. Great stuff. The counter guys can be a little on the rough side, and I never really figured out the pricing structure, but whatever it is it is worth it. I look forward to Sal & Carmine's every year.

Great thin crust New York style pizza. Eighteen chairs so not a lot of room. I'm going back to try another dish. Open til one.

Amazing pizza, fuss free and delicious! Great value for money, real home made pizza. You'll see us again before we head home!

A must stop if you are in the area!! This is an authentic pizza joint with the owner right behind the counter. All kind of fresh pizza available. Look closely cause the sign isnt really visable.

We were staying close by and were in the mood for pizza. Stopped by to get a slice and take it to Central Park for a picnic. The pizza crust was deliciously thin and crispy. The pizza was delicious. The gentleman who helped us was very kind and even tied the box with string when he found out we were picnicking!

I really enjoy the pizza here. Just the right thickness and like the simple pizza hole-in-the-wall feel.

I travelled in many places and have rarely eatn such a good pizza, similar to the best in Italy. especially excellent crust.

This pizza is famous among locals, it is unlike other pizza in that the crust is salty, which may or may not be a good thing for you. I always go for the plain slices though the others are good too. I believe a plain slice is $3 these days, which is somewhat higher than normal, but it is a great slice. No delivery, and limited seating in the back, though a pleasant experience if you embrace the New Yorkness of it.

Not sure how the rating isn't higher, maybe cause I'm just a country boy from down South and we sureeee ain't got pizza like this below the Mason-Dixon. It's really the crust, the crust is on point. I mean I'm no connoisseur of pizza, but people it isn't gourmet. I'm not sure how anyone could expect anything better for $3-$4. Eat the pizza. Or "slice" as y'all say up in the Big Apple.

This place was very close to our hotel, and we wanted an afternoon snack after a few beers so ventured into this little place. There was pre-made pizzas to heat up which we ordered 2 slices of, it took only a few minutes and was delicious! We both had the Pepperoni slice and although dubious at the beginning by the time we'd finished we were sold on the place! And said we'd definitely return. The Pizza was one of the best we'd eaten - Great food, quick service!

I've been having slices of Sal & Carmine's for 20+ years. Even though I live overseas now, I make it a point to get to this place more than once on every trip back and it never disappoints. The secret (which I would love to know) is in the crust. It's just perfect. It's a little salty and just the right mixture of al dente with a light crispiness that is consistent throughout. And always served up fresh and piping hot. Is this the place to bring your honey for a romantic meal? No. Is the the place to go if you want service with a smile? No. Is this the place to get goat's cheese and basil pesto with a drizzle of truffle oil? No. Is this the place to get just about the BEST slice of pizza that you've ever had? ABSOLUTELY. No question. Look no further. Don't listen to people from Florida tell you what a great NY slice tastes like... take it from a native New Yorker (we're a dying breed).

It is my opinion that this is the BEST PIZZA IN NEW YORK! Delicious pizza on the Upper West Side, Columbia University neighborhood. They offer a variety of wonderful toppings and they will also deliver pies. Sal & Carmine's is a real old-fashioned experience--a really great family pizza restaurant that, unfortunately, seems to be disappearing in New York these days. Go here for a simply delicious slice!

We went here because it was on many lists of best Pizza in NY. They were not wrong. it was amazing. The crust was just right, sauce was great and the sausage & pepperoni were perfect. Every bite I kept thinking how amazing the pizza was.

Great pizza on a Friday night..had it delivered to my daughter’s condo..on time delivery great taste reasonable price

Fantastic New York style slices. This is where you can get the quintessential New York city thin crust slice. All components come together here to make a nearly flawless slice. Perfect chewy, tender crust. Perfectly prepared sauce and good quality cheese. We had pepperoni and sausage slices. The pepperoni slice was excellent aside for a bit greasy but that's an expected side effect to most New York pepperoni slices. 4.5 stars. The sausage slice was better and totally 5 stars with excellent fresh sliced sausage and not a bit greasy. Service was friendly and quick. There's a small seating area in rear with about 10 tables. It was not very well ventilated but did have working ceiling fans. Atmosphere is casual. Highly recommend.

SO good - classic NY slice! perfect for folding, not floppy or crispy but chewy and perfect. good amount of cheese and a little bit of oil dripping. the slice is a good size and is $4 for a plain. it was a TINY bit salty for me but I don't deduct for that since it was so good otherwise. I would love to eat here again but it's a little out of the way up on 101 street.

We ordered take out. It arrived hot and the pizza was fantastic. We had pepperoni. This is a must do pizza place on the upper west side!

Came here two times. The first time we were wowed by how delicious the pizza was. We came here and got a couple slices of the plain and the vegetable. The flavor was so intense and so cheesy and the crust was thin and so crispy. We loved every bite of it. We came back a second time a week later and got a few more slices and this time it was just your regular pizza. Not sure why so different from last time. But will definitely return here if in the area

best crust ever... it is the kind that is made in advance and then set aside to develop a fantastic taste...grab a slice and savor...

Though I wanted to eat here with my friends, the gentleman making pizzas told us he did not have time to make a pizza. He also said we couldn’t eat some of the already made pizza slices at one of the empty tables. He was very unpleasant and offered no apology.

This place is a run down kinda dump. But the food is frickin awesome. This is more of the classic style rather than the neopolitan style pizza that is becoming much more prevalent in NYC. The pepperoni was not that good, so i'm going to only give it a very good because of that. However, when I took it off, and was left with a cheese slice. W O W amazing. Great pizza, stick with the plain cheese. Yeah the guy at the counter is short with you. I kinda expect it when i come to a place like this, so I just laugh at the guy, but I could see where it might bother some people.

I read a handful of different comments, but I was drawn to check this place out due to my curiosity; and I'm glad I followed my inner guidance---despite the not so inviting, recent, negative reviews---because I was reminded of an unexpected, priceless, ultimate, life lesson. Initially, the young guy making a pizza didn't exactly come off as warm and fuzzy friendly, so I can understand why certain people expressed what they did. However COMMA when I took a brief moment to see beyond the outer "rough" surface---by shifting from limited, human, physical mind perspective to the unlimited, Soul/Spirit, Multidimensional, expanded perspective (consciousness)---I was able to truly SEE a human being busily doing his best to do a good job as fast as he can (and who knows how many other personal and/or work-related stress factors, that we all go through, have influenced his not so happy appearing demeanor). I tried the freshly-made Grandma's pizza, and it actually tasted like one of our back-in-the-day grandmamas had made it with love (though she may not be smiley on the outside). To my great surprise, when I asked the same guy a question before leaving, he seemingly transformed into a genuinely friendly, enthusiastic, and helpful being. I initially thought, "Who is this guy?"; but I then trusted that I must have shifted into a parallel Earth reality once I chose to see the bigger picture (aka open my mind and heart/raise my vibrational frequency). I gave him a big tip and his face lit up even more, and he sincerely thanked me. Like all of us at times, he just needed a break in life from all the super busyness and various stress factors. I was recently reminded that humanity has experienced much CONDITIONAL love throughout human history; hence, there are many wounded souls/wounded wounders who havent healed on deep levels. But I trust than we, as humanity evolving on all energy levels of our being---physical, mental, emotional, financial (poverty consciousness to Prosperity Consciousness), and spiritual---can choose to Be our full-potential/Multidimensional Selves/Wounded Healers who choose NOT to intentionally hurt self/others because we're aware that we're all interconnected parts of the whole (like trillions of cells within one body), and we've learned that it doesn't FEEL good to be hurt by another (to include from the judgmental aspect of ourselves). I have no doubt that we can help make our lives on this planet a little more smoother, more peaceful, abundant, wise, free, and happier by practicing to unconditionally love more and more aspects of ourselves (since True Love starts from within)---the duality/polarity of the so-called good and bad, right and wrong, dark and light, etc.---which helps us to embrace more and more of interconnected Life within this Universe and beyond.

No frills pizza spot with excellent slices. $3 for a slice, but it is the tastiest slice around. Two slices and a can of soda and you are all set. There is sometimes a little line, just wait, get your slices and eat them in the back if you like. No delivery, no need the experience is going there.

I have been to the trendy and less popular pizza places in NY but this is the best. Perfect crust, sauce, cheese....EVERYTHING! I seriously doubt anyone can do it better.

I grew up on he west Side of Manhattan, eating pizza at Sal and Carmine's. There's something about their fresh ingredients, the wonderful crust, the sauce, the cheese, the ambiance is second to none. My adult children visit Manhattan just to eat at Sal and Carmine's. It's the best of the best!

Cute little pizza place with super friendly staff and delicious pizza! Worth a visit if you're in the area, we loved it!!

I have lived near the shop for a couple months but never went in until recently as it looks a little run down from the outside. Bad call! I tried it and think it is excellent pizza. Overall just flavorful in a unique way. Definitely recommend.

Great large pizza by the slice. Don’t be fooled, one is enough, two is too much. We loved the weggie options but found all the classics good.

Their pizza made a "Great Pizza List" and they were the closest on the list. We could have travelled 20 less blocks and got the same thing pretty much anywhere. It's a classic foldable by-the-slice pizza, fine but nothing special.

A classic NY joint. Gruff service. Pizza is very tasty but overwhelmingly salty, which is the reason I did not give it a very good. It is a good choice if you are craving pizza on the upper west side.