Denino’s Pizza

Staten Island is too often the forgotten borough on my food adventures, but its pizza game is so strong, I’ll brave the subway, ferry and bus ride out there. First up was Denino’s, a storied pizzeria that goes back to 1937. Our pie had a spot-on crust–thin, doughy, yet crisp and sturdy enough to stand up to generous toppings of cheese and sauce. This crust is what pizza should be.

I think this place would be as popular as DiFara if it were on the Q train–but on the plus side there’s no foodie crowds and the place definitely has a suburban family feel. You can simply grab a seat, order some cheap beer, have some of the best pizza you’ve ever eaten and grab an ice at Ralph’s while you’re waiting for your bus. Not to mention: New York never looks as magical as it does from a ship.