Joe's Pizza

In Short
With rave reviews and celebrity testimonials about its original Greenwich Village location, this pie shop serves no-nonsense New York pizza in an appropriately stark and functional storefront just off the Third Street Promenade. Throughout the day, the crowd shifts from Santa Monica lunch crowds and tourists to evening revelers looking for a quick bite. It might not look unusual, but the signature thin crust is light and crisp enough to defy gravity, even without that famous New York water. A straightforward array of toppings adorns full pies, and ready-made slices include plain cheese, pepperoni, and a caprese with silver-dollar-sized slices of fresh mozzarella. The garlic knots are chewy lumps covered in garlic chunks big enough to derail a subway car (although the flavor is surprisingly absent). Salads and calzones round out the menu.