joe's pizza (from nyc) in santa monica
does any one know when it's opening?
ciaohound555
Jun 19, 2007 12:10PM
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does any one know when it's opening?
ciaohound555
Jun 19, 2007 12:10PM
Hmm, their website didn't say but you can always try calling or emailing them:
http://www.joespizza.com/index.html
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oh boy oh boy oh boy!
But, WHEN?
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Uhh ... wow! No way, had no idea this was happening. I was just back there for some slices a few months ago. A NY classic, but I prefer to walk a few blocks down and order a fresh Grandma's at Bleecker St. Pizza. Go with a group and order a whole pie. Far better than a reheated slice. That is definitely the single best pizza pie in the world! Admittedly I've never been Italy...
But I dunno, isn't it supposed to be the city water that makes NY pizza so good? I guess we'll soon find out how well Joe's compares ...
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This. Is. Great. News.
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I read that Joe's Pizza will open "this summer" at the new Santa Monica location. (No specific date). How lucky are we????
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Where?
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It will be on Broadway St. & Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica. CAN'T WAIT!!!
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111 Broadway, to be exact, which would put it next to the Makai Lounge ...
http://www.joespizza.com/page9.html
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Yes, but when
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Ask them:
info@joespizza.com
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Yes, I've written to them a few times, with no response...
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I wouldn't get too excited -- Joe's in NY is a shadow of it's former self. I frankly prefer the slices I've had out here at Abbott's.
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I concur!
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I don't know if you mean it's become a shadow of itself within the last 4 years, which is the last time i had a Joe's slice, because back then it was a pretty phenomenal "normal" slice (as opposed to Difara which I would argue is more of a one-off specialty slice). By the way, I didn't even realize there was hype about Joe's... I just popped in for a slice one day about 10 years ago and have loved it ever since (no crowds or any indication it had a following) so this is not bandwagoning in my part.
With the relative dearth of even passable NY/NJ style pizza here in LA (exeptions: Vito's, Lamonica's, Village Pizza, Mulberry St., Slice of NY in Seal Beach and one place in Upland I can't seem to remember the name of), I don't know why you would discourage a newcomer, especially those with the taste track record of Joe's. Even a relatively bad pie in NY and NJ tastes better that most of what is served up as "NY pizza" here. Eat any random slice on Hollywood Blvd. for multiple examples of what I describe.
Mr Taster
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I'm not sure what you mean by DiFara being a specialty slice, but Joe's has been going steadily downhill for some time:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/201959
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/213342
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/215267
Honestly, as a recent NYC transplant, Angelenos have a strange inferiority complex about their pizza. Obviously, neither Abbott's nor Vito's can compete with the very best back east. But their pizza is still better than 90% of the slices I had in NYC (and CT, and MA).
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DiFara's is a specialty slice in that nobody else really makes pies like he does.
In a land as vast as LA, the scarcity of places where one can really get a decent slice (not heavenly slice, just a decent one) is a real dilemma for many of us east coast transplants.
Consider that most people in Los Angeles would have to get in their car and drive for miles before reaching Vito's, Village Pizza, Slice of NY etc. (let's call it a 'B' grade pizza, which is about the top grade you could get in LA) whereas in NYC there are thousands of places (with about 20 between whatever random places you happen to be walking between) that could serve up a halfway-decent B-grade slice, and you would likely pass at least one joint which would serve up an A-grade slice.
My only point is that even if Joe's new Santa Monica venture turns out to be a solidly B-grade joint, it will still be one more location in the vast basin of LA where one could get a tasty slice, when compared to the local competition.
I for one am certainly interested in the prospect of having more real NY pizza choices in LA and I feel we shouldn't discourage the efforts of more NY Italians setting up shop in LA... because eventually someone will come out here and nail the A-grade slice. Maybe Dom DeMarco will get tired of the snow and want to retire in LA!
Bottom line-- we need to encourage more NY Italians to set up shop out here-- particularly those with a long history of pizza making like Joe's. We need their knowledge, their recipes, their spirit, and above all else... their pizza!
Mr Taster
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Many of your points are well taken -- I certainly agree that LA could use more and better Italian food at a reasonable price. And I will be among the first to try the new Joe's, my skepticism notwithstanding.
Still, your characterization of the NY pizza situation just doesn't jibe with my experience. It simply isn't the case that you can find a great slice anywhere in NYC. 90% of places get the same processed cheese and tomato sauce delivered every morning. I can count on two hands the places I would characterize in the A-B range, and that shrinks to one if we're talking about places that serve slices. The main difference I see is in what you term the "specialty" pizza. And for that, you have to travel in NY, just as you do LA. DiFara is in Midwood, Totonno's in Coney Island, and Patsy's in East Harlem.
BTW, much as I'd love to see the DeMarcos set up shop in sunny So Cal (might make his son lighten up) I'm not sure they'd make that other ABC grade, if you catch my drift.
PS: Are there ANY coal-fired ovens in So Cal, or are the air quality issues prohibitive?
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i love abbott's too, but it must be said that abbott's is not ny-style pizza.
imho, it is really good california-style pizza that stands on it's own right.
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I actually agree, westsidegal, though they fancy themselves NY-style. And it is similar in the sense that the crust is nice and crisp. Still, you won't find olive pesto (my favorite Abbott's topping) at most true NY pizza places!
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By the way... the place in Upland I was referring to:
San Biagio's New York Style
1263 W 7TH St
Upland, CA
91786-7069
Phone: (909) 946-9277
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thanks for the san biago's rec, i'm heading there as soon as i can. that coupled with windy c's for a chicago dog should do the trick. along with dr. bob's which i think is still up there in upland.
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did you ever hit san biago's...curious what you thought because i hit it last week returning from a trip via ontario airport...i promised myself after reading this post that next time i had to hit the airport ( glendora to ontario ) i would try this place. i also remember ( must have been from another post ) that there was an ice cream place a few doors down that was worth a visit ( not Bob's )
i laughed when i drove up to san biago's because i did try this place about 2 years ago when i was in the area for my daugther's volleyball tournament. the place did not impress me then, and it was basically the same now. Understand, this is the kind of place you hope will succeed - you got all the new york stuff pasted, stapled, glued...whatever ...on the walls - simple; you got the old-timer italian/new yorker cooking pies with the young assistant...probably related...pleasant people....a couple of cheese pizza's cooked ready to be warmed by the slice. the crust was ok - i think i would have enjoyed it more if fresh - got the thin ( not paper thin ) crust - browned on the bottom, yet chewiness to it , the sauce...well....not bad...just not all that special...the cheese...nice taste - my guess , a blend giving it had a little tang to it ( romano perhaps mixed into the dominant moz ) - the place is not bad it's just not very good/great.
now the ice cream store a few doors down...and of course...the name escapes me....i liked it !! reminded me a little of the glacier ice cream i hear others ranting about ( i've tried glacier in las vegas ) - but i prefer this place in upland more....the ice cream is very tasty but it's the uniqueness to this place - it just seems like a strange set-up - the location, the way you order, etc, that makes it well...like i said...unique....i will definitely stop by here on future ontario airport trips - i still need to hit bob's ( tried their sorbets at the la county fair ) and i'll have to do a search again but i believe there is either another pizza place or a bbq place near bob's too ...anyways, would like to hear what others have thought of san biago's...thanks
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The ice cream place is called Handel's. Their ice cream is among the best in LA, IMHO. Almost worth the trip to Upland. Definitely worth trying if you are in the area.
http://www.handelsicecream.com/home/i...
San Biagio Pizza, on the other hand was not all that great. Very average NY-style Pizza.
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Handel's !!!! That's it !! thanks....i agree...if you like/love ice cream...especially if you are making a trip to Bob's...give handel's a try...i'm hitting ontario airport next week....
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Does anyone know if Joe's has opened yet? I'm curious to try it, my skepticism notwithstanding.
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Any updates??
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Yup.
I walked past this morning at about 6:15am. They had the door open and were working inside. Suffice it to say their summer opening date probably isn't going to happen.
The walls were stripped to the studs (lots of trailing elecrtical wiring, one work light wired-in), the floor was stripped to the concrete and they had cut through in two places. Two guys were working knee deep below street level.
There were no ovens, no counter, no plumbed in sinks. Pretty much a whole lot of nothing. Either they're going to pull things together at record speed, or it's going to be a while.
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Thanks.
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Thanks for the update, was wondering...
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Should be opening in the begining of September.
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Looking forward to your opening. Per your website, will you have the same menu, and will you deliver? I live in the neighborhood.
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Did they ever open?
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Not yet.
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I looked inside yesterday, they have installed the oven and are in the process of building the counter and installing other fixtures. My guess is tht it is still a few weeks away from opening.
Mateo R
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Called today and still no answer. I feel like a junkie who's dealer is out of town for a few weeks....
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And I get so excited whenever this thread is bumped, thinking that someone is announcing that it's open, or about to open! What a disappointment, yet again.
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i agree. grrrr.
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Joe's looks like it should be open this week. They still have cardboard on the window, but the inside looks ready.
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oooh! i can't wait!!! mmm!
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This....(tears)....is the happiest day....of....my life.....
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If Eater L.A. is to be believed, tomorrow ...
http://la.eater.com/archives/2007/11/...
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i am so there this weekend to get me a nice white pie. mmm! =)
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Person on the phone says they will open Friday, Nov. 10th!
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Friday the 9th or Saturday the 10th?
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Joe says it will open Friday
The menu is
Pizza Pie, white pie, Sicilian pie, Grandma pie, Fresh mozzarella pie , and Caprese pie $2.75-3.50 per slice 17 -20 per pie extra toppings .75c and $3
also Italian and Cesar salad
Antipasto and
Italian Ices
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I heard it was opening today...
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It's OPEN! Had a slice of cheese Friday night ($2.50). Didn't think it tasted as good as Joe's in NYC (I lived there for 8 yrs and ate my fair share of Joe's, John's and Lombardi's) but it's definitely the best slice I've had in the 4 yrs I've lived in Santa Monica.
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I'm going RIGHT now! -- will report back!
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I just had two slices. I was expecting a lot more. The crust is a little too chewy for my taste. I still think Santa Monica Pizza is the best pizza in SM and Vito's in the best pie in LA.
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Just got back. Had a whole pie with mushrooms and sausage. GREAT ate 4 slices by myself I Will be back. Next stop brownstone pizza in eagle Rock. Vito's? Went Once NEVER again......I Just don't get it?
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I second that opinion. Very disappointed. Had a slice of cheese and a slice of pepperoni around 1PM today. Crust was chewy and dry with very little taste. Cheese and sauce were nothing special. Very average. Doesn't come close to NYC location. Vito's has nothing to worry about. Has Joe's beat by a mile.
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Went tonight and its the real thing. Now with Vito's and Joe's we can safely say we have two true NY style pizza places on each side of the city. You can debate all you want about if they would be considered great in New York, but the bottom line is we finally have pizza in LA.
Joe's bottom crust was nice and crispy, which is huge in my book, and something that Vito's did not deliver when I've been there. Joe's should continue to get better as they get settled in and the ovens mature.
Note: Joe's has virtually no seating and its really tough to park along the promenade so a drop-off or pick-up is the way to go.
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I had half a pie and then, later, slices. The pie was much better. It's pretty great pizza, better than Vito's (though I see similarities). Pep is amazing, tastes very NY. I live a few blocks from Vito's, but I see myself going to Joe's quite a lot.
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I just got back from Joe's. I went with 2 other displaced NY'ers. 1 of whom has been to the original Joe's on Bleeker 100's of times. Consensus. Real pizza in LA. Finally.
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I went today as well. Sat next to Joe himself while I waited, and watched him being congratulated/thanked by happy customers the whole time I was there. Then I went home to enjoy my half pepperoni/half fresh basil, and was thrilled with the results. Was it the best pizza I've ever had? No. Was it the best pizza I've ever had in LA (or, dare I say, outside of NYC)? Definitely.
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Went today as well for the 2nd time in 3 days. Life is good. Which one is Joe by the way? The skinny guy working the pizza oven? I wasn't sure if we was working when I was there.
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yeah, who was joe. also , they still dont have the fresh mozzareella slices. the cheese pizza is good, it might be better than vito's (but i still think even casa bianca is better than both of em).
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Is it a zoo? I've been afraid to go down for fear of crazy crowds.
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