99¢ Fresh Pizza (Expands its Mini Empire!!!)

There are some things that are such an awesome deal they supercede quality.  In fact the occurance is so rare, that when you find the deal, you are so excited, you forget what the thing you’re eating even tastes like.  The under $10 buffet.  Steak & Eggs in Vegas.  Taco Bell in the old days.  And of course… 99 cent pizza.  Pizza is everywhere in New York.  Good pizza is everywhere in New York.  But you never see a slice below $2.  And in Midtown, the price is sometimes jacked up to a ridiculous $2.50 a slice.  Nevermind wanting toppings or a drink.  The pizza is good… but a lunch ends up costing you $7… for pizza.  Enter 99¢ Fresh Pizza to save the day!

Anyone who has ever been behind the Port Authority on 9th Avenue has seen the 99¢ pizza place.  Always open, and always a line- this window churns out cheese pizza slices like nobody’s business.  The slices are hot, fresh, and for 99 cents a real steal.  Living in Hell’s Kitchen, and shopping at the various markets down there I’ve partaken in the 99¢ pizza many times, usually as a post grocery shopping snack.  In fact it has spawned a snack or meal argument between my wife and I on numerous occasions.  My claim… “If something costs $1 (i.e. a slice of pizza), it is automatically a snack”.  Her claim… “You are a fat bastard.”

Well, on Monday I was excited to find out that 99¢ Fresh Pizza has expanded East, opening a new location next to Grand Central Terminal, on 43rd St. btw. 3rd & Lex.  Pics of the pie and the +/- after the jump.

Don’t expect the greatest New York pizza you’ve ever experienced.  You get what you pay for.  If a pie costs $8, it is probably not going to be as good as a $17 pie… but for $1, how can you complain?  And of course, it’s so cheap you’ll convince yourself it tastes better than it actually does.  It’s got plenty of cheese, and there is always a fresh pie (although this location is new- so the turnover may not be as quick as the Port Authority Location).  The sign on the window says there are toppings available for 50 cents a slice, $2 per pie… but once you start down that road, it’s not 99¢ pizza anymore, and must be held to a different standard. 

Perfect for a snack, or the cheapest lunch available in Midtown that doesn’t involve eating a hot dog or stale pretzel.  $2.75 gets you two slices and a can of soda.  It doesn’t get any better than this… (unless you like your pizza great, and don’t mind paying the money for it).  Seriously… I only say it’s not great pizza so I don’t get a million comments questioning whether my taste buds still function.  The truth is- I freakin’ LOVE the 99¢ pizza place.  Call me a cheapo, but I’ve never once asked for my penny back (and they’ve never offered it.)  

THE +

  • It’s a fresh slice of pizza… for 99 cents.  Deal of the century.
  • You don’t have to walk to 9th Ave. behind the Port Authority anymore

THE –

  • It’s obviously not the best pizza in the city (but it’s not bad enough to not be worth it)
  • At the Port Authority location there is always a line, and always a fresh pie coming out of the oven.  This location is new, and may take awhile to get the turnover going.
  • No variety.  The only thing they usually have pre-made is Cheese.  I’ve never asked for toppings because then it wouldn’t be 99¢ pizza anymore.
  • If you are willing to wait until after 2pm, I’ve heard there is real pizza place in the same area that drops its price to $1 a slice.

99¢ Fresh Pizza, 151 E. 43rd St. (btw. Lex & 3rd), 212-922-0257

43 Comments

  • I just tried this place at lunch. Got three slices but they charged me $3.25. Curious. Seeing it was still pretty cheap I left it at that. The dough was spongy but overall great deal for being across the street from where I work. This could get me into trouble.

  • 99c pizzas are great but we would love to see someone do 99c Schnitzels, is there any about?

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