The supremely thin pizza at Pier 76 | Rachel A. via Yelp
Pizza is a topic that few are willing to remain quiet on. When you discuss pizza on Staten Island, that quiet conversation could turn into a dull roar. (Especially if you’re the new Mayor eating a slice with a fork and knife–but we won’t go there.)
Pier 76, a somewhat new kid on the block, has been earning raves along with comparisons to Joe and Pat’s, a Staten Island mainstay that’s been around since 1960. The similarities aren’t that surprising when you find out that co-owner Jeremy Pappalardo is the son of Gerry Pappalardo, of Joe & Pat’s fame.
Pier 76 shows their mastery of the incredibly thin crust, a trick Pappalardo learned from working at Joe and Pat’s at the impressionable age of 8 years old. You’ll see delicious tricks coming out of the kitchen, like using quality ingredients, homemade dressings and um, vodka in the pizza sauce. Don’t worry, the alcohol content burns off in the baking.
Not in the mood for pizza? Try a panini! | Joe G. viaYelp.
When they took over the location, just a short walk from the St. George Ferry Terminal, they gutted the inside, wisely hanging on to the long wood bar. There are other touches that will make you feel right at home, like the black and white checked floor and, in the back, red-checked tables that no pie joint should be without. And, for when the weather is nice, there are tables outside along the sidewalk. But what’s the most important piece of furniture? The gas-fueled rotating-tray brick oven; this is where all the magic happens.
The pizza itself is crunchy and dangerously thin, with no charring marks. The toppings cover the pie evenly but don’t overpower the star, which for many is the crust.
For anyone in a pie-averse mood, there are non-pizza menu items like salads, buffalo wings, calzones and panini. The arugula pizza gets big coverage from Yelp fans, but if that’s too “healthy” for you, the other favorite pie is their vodka. There are daily specials, early bird specials, and even brunch!
Cozy in the back with a long bar in the front | Daniel M. via Yelp
Pier 76 is great for groups, or just alone, with five televisions with Direct TV sports that you can lose yourself in, plus nightly drink specials and live music. Next time you find yourself disembarking from the ferry in Staten Island, wander the short 0.4 miles over to check out that thing they call thin-crust pizza.
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