If you’re a fan of thin-crust NY pizza we’ve got 10 great spots to enjoy those large slices covered with melty, bubbly cheese! And while it may not be quite the same as grabbing a pie in the Big Apple, I’m guessing one of these NY pizza options will keep you happy until your next trip up north. Note: This list is in alphabetical order!
1. Benny Capitale’s, Raleigh
While Benny Capitale’s is officially a “Virginia slice”, it’s pretty much NY thin-slice pizza unofficially in my book! These ginormous slices are nearly larger than your head and its convenient location means you can grab a slice while hitting up an event at City Center Plaza or wandering around downtown Raleigh.
2. Capp’s Pizzeria, Chapel Hill
Located out in S. Chapel Hill, Capp’s is one of my fave thin-crust pizza spots offering a bit of a hybrid pie, a mix of NY and Neapolitan. But a commitment to top-quality Italian ingredients and interesting topping combinations makes it worth the drive for me. And they also make some great handmade pastas, too!
3. DiFara Pizza Tavern, Cary
Brought to you by the nephew of the famed DiFara family of Brooklyn, NY, DiFara Pizza Tavern does a great job of emulating the NY experience. Using some amazing sauce, cheese and crust, you’ll get one of the best slices in the Triangle here, although you will pay a bit for it. Enjoy your pizza in their classic dining room, at the bar or out on the spacious patio
4. Oakwood Pizza Box, Raleigh
Oakwood Pizza Box is your upscale NY pizza owned by long-time pizza guru and pizzaiolo, Anthony Guerra. His commitment to only using the best and traditional pizza toppings means the rest of the pie, from crust to sauce and cheese, can really shine. This unassuming pizzeria is usually packed and busy feeding the hip Oakwood neighborhood!
5. PiePushers, Durham
PiePushers is one of the early NY-style pizza joints, offering a very affordable pizza by the slice or the pie in a fun little 2nd floor restaurant over the Pinhook. Order at the counter and grab a table and beer while your pizza is prepared. PiePushers is a very affordable option for dinner in the pricey downtown Durham district.
6. Pizza Times, Raleigh
As part of the Raleigh Times restaurant group, the Pizza Times knows how to put out great food. Their classic NY style pizza has robust crust, garlicky tomato sauce and plenty of cheese to keep you happy. Given it’s a takeout only joint, pizza by the slice works well here although they will reheat slices for a less than optimal experience. Full pies are recommended but you may need to find parking on this busy street!
7. Pizzeria Mercato, Carrboro
Pizzeria Mercato does thin-crust pizza that to me is a bit between NY style and Neapolitan but it’s 100% delicious. A thin bubbly pie with a crisper crust and classic Italian toppings make it worth the trip out to Carrboro. Pizzeria Mercato also offers up tasty antipasti, salads, and sweets in addition to their great pizza.
8. Ponysaurus Brewing, Durham
Ponysaurus Brewing is mostly about beer but how can you go wrong by offering pizzas with the great beer? What started as a joint partnership with Oakwood Pizza Box means that Ponysaurus puts out some great pies that are about 16″ in size and perfect for two people. Great crust, great sauce given its OPB roots.
9. Randy’s Pizza RTP
Given I worked in RTP, Randy’s was a fave lunch spot of mine and probably offers up one of the most authentic NYC pizzeria type experiences. This high-volume pizzeria is classic with pressboard lettered menus, cheese and chili pepper dispensers on the table along with their great pizza. Pies are a generous 18″ for the large and truly as close as you can get to NY pizza in the Triangle. Note that the RTP location is a cut above the other Randy’s locations, IMO.
10. Ruckus Pizza, Raleigh
When I first got to the Triangle, Ruckus Pizza was likely the first decent NY slice I ran into! Offering lunch slices and large pies up to 24″ in diameter, Ruckus used to have an insane pizza challenge (huge pie, tons of toppings) that you had to eat in 30 minutes or less. While there are many Ruckus locations in the Triangle, the Avent Ferry original near NC State is a classic, college beer and pizza joint.
So there you go, NY pizza lover! You’ve got some great options in the Triangle from Raleigh to Cary, Durham, and Chapel Hill. And I’ll be honest with you, in a pinch, Wegman’s does a pretty good thin-crust pizza if you don’t live near any of these spots on my list. But let’s face it, pizza tastes best while you’re sitting on a vinyl stool with beer in hand at your favorite pizzeria, enjoy!
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