You're standing under the neon glare of 1435 Broadway, sandwiched between a souvenir shop selling plastic Statues of Liberty and a theater usher shouting about matinee tickets. The air smells like roasted nuts, exhaust, and—if you’re standing in the right spot—that distinct, yeasty perfume of bubbling mozzarella and charred dough.
This is the chaos of Midtown. Honestly, most food in this ten-block radius is a trap. You know the kind: overpriced burgers, salads that cost twenty bucks, and cardboard-tasting "dollar" slices that now cost three dollars. But then there’s Joe's Pizza Times Square.
It shouldn’t work. A legendary Greenwich Village institution opening a satellite office in the world’s most commercialized intersection? Usually, that’s where quality goes to die. But somehow, Joe Pozzuoli’s crew has kept the magic alive in a space that feels more like a subway station than a restaurant.
The Reality of the Slice at Joe's Pizza Times Square
People argue about pizza in this city like it’s a blood sport. You’ll hear purists tell you that the original Carmine Street location is the only "real" Joe’s.
They’re wrong.
The oven doesn’t care about the zip code. The Times Square location (specifically at 1435 Broadway) uses the same blueprint that made the 1975 original a "Greenwich Village institution." We’re talking about a classic New York street slice. It isn’t artisanal. It isn't "neo-Neapolitan" with fancy fermented bubbles.
It’s just thin. It’s crispy. It’s foldable.
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Basically, the crust has that structural integrity you need when you’re walking toward a 7:00 PM curtain call and don’t want tomato sauce on your dress shirt. If you order a plain cheese slice—which, honestly, is the only way to truly judge a place—you get that perfect ratio. The sauce is vibrant, not sugary. The cheese is real deal mozzarella that doesn't turn into a grease slick the second it hits the cardboard.
What it's going to cost you (2026 Prices)
Let’s talk money because New York isn't getting any cheaper. You aren't getting out of here for a buck anymore.
- Plain Cheese Slice: Roughly $5.00 - $6.00 (prices fluctuate, but expect this range).
- Fresh Mozzarella Slice: $7.00.
- The Sicilian: About $7.00 per square.
- Full Pies: A standard large cheese pie will run you around $30.00 to $35.00 depending on the toppings.
If you’re comparing this to a sit-down spot like John’s of Times Square on 44th, it’s a different beast. John’s is a converted church where you have to buy a whole pie. Joe’s is for the person who has fifteen minutes and a ten-dollar bill.
Navigating the Broadway Madness
Finding the place is easy; surviving the line is the trick.
The shop is tucked right between 40th and 41st Streets. Look for the white awning and the wall-to-wall photos of celebrities. You'll see everyone from Action Bronson to Spider-Man (okay, Tobey Maguire) on those walls.
The line often stretches out the door. Don't panic. The guys behind the counter are machines. They move people through with a "What can I get you?" efficiency that borders on aggressive, but it’s just the New York way.
Pro Tip: Don't be the person who gets to the front of the line and then starts looking at the menu. Know your order. If you're undecided, just say "two cheese" and keep the line moving. You'll thank me later.
The seating situation? Non-existent. There are a few narrow counters where you can stand and burn the roof of your mouth, but mostly, you’re eating this on the sidewalk. That’s part of the experience. You lean over the paper plate so the grease doesn't hit your shoes, watching the crowds surge by.
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Is it Actually Better Than the Village?
Nuance matters here.
The Greenwich Village location has the history. It has the vibe of 1970s Manhattan. But the Joe's Pizza Times Square location has something else: volume. Because they are constantly pumping out pies to feed the thousands of tourists and office workers, the pizza is almost always fresh.
There is no "sitting under the heat lamp for three hours" here. A pie comes out, it’s gone in four minutes, and another one goes in.
Critics like Pete Wells or the Barstool "One Bite" guys might give the edge to the original, but for a midtown lunch, this is the gold standard. It’s consistent. You know exactly what it’s going to taste like every single time.
What to skip
Look, the White Pie is fine if you love ricotta, and the Sicilian is decent if you want something heavy. But you’re here for the classic. Don’t overcomplicate it with five toppings. The weight of too many veggies or meats ruins the thin crust.
If you absolutely must have a topping, go with pepperoni. They use the small, high-quality rounds that curl up into little bowls of oil. It’s a salt bomb, sure, but after walking fifteen blocks, you probably need the electrolytes.
How to Beat the Crowds
If you show up at 12:30 PM on a Tuesday, you’re going to be waiting behind thirty people.
Try the "Golden Hour" of 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM. The lunch rush is over, and the pre-theater crowd hasn't arrived yet. The shop opens at 10:00 AM, and honestly, pizza for breakfast is a very valid New York life choice.
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They also stay open late—usually until 3:00 AM or 4:00 AM. If you’ve just come out of a bar in Hell’s Kitchen and need to soak up the bad decisions, Joe’s is there for you. It’s one of the few places in Times Square that feels like it belongs to the city and not just a corporate boardroom.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit:
- Check the line: If it’s past the neighboring storefront, give it 20 minutes and come back. It moves fast, but 40 people is still 40 people.
- Bring Cash: They take cards and Apple Pay now, but sometimes the systems glitch in the high-frequency environment. Having a $10 bill makes everything smoother.
- The "Fold" Technique: This is non-negotiable. Fold the slice lengthwise. It keeps the cheese from sliding off and creates a channel for any excess oil.
- Napkin Math: Take three times as many napkins as you think you need. You will use them.
You’ve got a lot of choices for food in the Theater District, but most of them are designed to separate you from your money as quickly as possible. Joe's Pizza Times Square is the rare exception where the hype is actually backed up by a solid, no-nonsense product. It’s not the most "adventurous" meal in the world, but when you’re standing in the middle of the neon jungle, sometimes a perfect cheese slice is exactly what you need to feel grounded.
Don't overthink it. Just walk in, order your slice, and eat it while watching the world go by. That's the real New York experience.