NOLITA — With the closing of the original Ray's Pizza on Prince Street, DNAinfo took to the streets to ask New Yorkers for their suggestions on the best places to grab a slice.
Photographer David "Shadi" Perez, 45, recommended L'asso Pizza at 41 Kenmare Street.
"They are not like the New York old style. They are the more progressive type," said Perez, adding that while pizzas take longer to make and are pricier, the store's cooking method is a plus.
"They always cut the wood outside so you know they are using a wood burning brick oven," he said.
Perez said he was a customer of Ray's Pizza, the institution that spawned dozens of "famous original Ray's" imitators. The shop served its last slice on Oct. 30 after a dispute between Ray's owner and the landlord ended its 52 year run.
Parisi Bakery at 290 Elizabeth Street was another neighborhood recommendation from driver and Queens resident Lance Velez
"Fresh mozzarella from Di Palo's and the dough is made fresh at the bakery," he said.
Others seem to agree. On a Thursday there was a lunchtime line of about 20 people as they waited for pizza and sandwiches from the bakery that was established in 1903.
Joe's Pizza, which is also in Greenwich Village, was another popular choice.
"The pizza is always fresh," said Bruce Scher, 60, a tour guide who regularly takes tourists into the Carmine Street and Sixth Avenue joint. "They use great tomato sauce. They use great cheese."
Jose Pena, 42, who works for a maintenance company based in the area, was a longtime customer of Ray's. He recommended John's Pizzeria of Bleecker Street as a suitable replacement.
"It has been around for a while so you know they use good products as far as the dough and the cheese," said Pena.
NoLIta resident George Metritikas, 67, was also a fan of John's.
To him, the restaurant made "the champagne of pizza."
