ASTORIA — The team behind barbeque joint Butcher Bar has opened a new pizzeria in the space next door with plans to soon feature some of the eatery's smoked meats as pie toppings, according to the owner.
Butcher Bar's Matthew Katakis teamed up with the owners of Long Island City pizzeria Slice to launch a second Slice location at 37-08 30th Ave. in Astoria. It opened two weeks ago serving classic New York pizza as well as Sicilian, grandma and margherita pies.
They plan to expand offerings over time, with salads and heroes to join the menu later this week and Butcher Bar-inspired pizza to debut in the next few months, according to Katakis.
"We've already started experimenting," he said, adding that they're tinkering with a barbecue chicken pizza and another topped with smoked beef "burnt ends," a Butcher Bar favorite.
But those specialty slices won't be available for another month or two as Katakis says they're currently focused on perfecting simpler offerings.
"Right now we're concentrating on just offering a real New York slice," he said.
Starting Wednesday, the Astoria location will have the same menu as Slice's original spot in Hunters Point, which was opened in 2015 by Juan Camilo Sanchez, also known as DJ Camillo on Hot 97.
Besides pizza, the offerings will include fried calamari, chicken parmigiana heroes and other Italian fare.
The owners also plan to launch brunch at the Astoria location soon, according to Katakis.
"We're trying to feel out what the neighborhood demands," he said.
