After learning that The Daily Meal had named Rizzo’s as one of the “101 Best Pizzas in America 2013,” how could I not accept the invitation to head to the Lower East Side to sample and write about it. Especially since I hail from New Haven, with three pizza places on that list, including Pepe’s at the #1 spot.

Our friendly server was Francesca, granddaughter of Joseph Rizzo who — along with his brothers — opened the first Rizzo’s pizzeria in 1959 in Astoria. The Lower East Side location is the third Rizzos in New York City (the second, on the Upper East Side) and is the only one with a beer and wine license.

We sipped Mothers Milk, a sweet stout, while nibbling on their garlicky knots ($1 for 3) while deciding what to order. We began by sharing a crisp Caesar salad ($5) with housemade croutons, and a baby arugula salad ($5) with balsamic glaze.

And then came the main attraction: Rizzo’s specialty traditional pies with classic Mediterranean ingredients that have made them famous.

As squares (or thick-crusted original square pies that made Rizzo’s famous) we ate the Aumma Aumma (sausage and meatballs over the ricotta and sauce), and the Gustosa (eggplant and roasted pepper over ricotta and sauce dotted with fresh pesto). Both worth the trip.

My two favorites were the round cracker-thin pies: the simple classic Margherita (freshly sliced tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion and fresh basil over the ricotta and sauce) and Carciofi (baby spinach and artichokes over a light cream sauce). All pies ($13) are finished with a blend of grated Parmesan and Romano cheese. These pies do rival Pepe’s crust.

Save room for one of their desserts. We sampled the Pizzetta Nutella Pie ($9) the namesake combined with fresh ricotta, chocolate chips and chocolate syrup on a crisp crust, their cannolis — either 5 mini ($4) filled with sweetened ricotta or de-constructed ($4). Chocolate lovers should not miss their Dirty espresso ($3), that is a shot with dark chocolate.

So when you’re shopping on the LES, do stop in at this friendly place for a bite, or just make it a fun and delicious outing.

– bonnie

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Rizzo’s Fine Pizza
Lower East Side
17 Clinton St
(between Houston St & Stanton St)
New York, NY 10002

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