When you step into East Village Pizza on a busy evening, you get the sense that this place isn’t about being fancy; it’s about doing a few things really well and keeping at them for years.
The pizzas are big, the slices are generous, and people from all over the world, from locals stopping by after work to visitors on a New York food mission, keep finding themselves here.
The shop’s reputation isn’t built on hype; it’s built on consistency, familiarity, and a kind of easygoing charm you don’t find everywhere.
How it all really started
The story behind the restaurant is part of why it feels authentic. When Frank Kabatas first arrived in New York from Turkey in 1997, he had never even tasted pizza, and East Village Pizza was his first job here, too.
He worked there doing everything from dishwashing to delivering slices by bike while trying to improve his English and pay for school. After a kitchen mix-up, he was fired, but that didn’t stop him; he went on to sharpen his skills at other pizzerias and even learned marketing at Domino’s so he understood both how to make and how to sell pizza.
Fast forward a few years, and when East Village Pizza went up for sale, Frank bought it, the same place where he once worked and learned his first slice ever.
Since taking over in 2003, Frank has been hands-on every day behind the counter, tweaking recipes, pulling fresh dough from the fridge, and testing ideas for new pizzas.
He doesn’t just make the pizzas; he’s obsessed with them. He’s said that he still plays with the dough himself, looking for ways to make something even a little bit better than before.
That effort shows in the menu, where classics sit comfortably alongside signature pies people talk about for months after their visit.
What really amplified East Village Pizza’s reach beyond the neighborhood was how Frank used social media before most pizza shops took it seriously.
Back in 2012, he started posting real videos of pizzas being stretched, sauced, and baked. No fancy production, just the process. That authenticity helped grow an audience of over 1.7 million followers on Instagram.
That online presence didn’t replace real life; it drove people to the door. Tourists show up because they saw a video, and locals stop by to see what’s new.
Real Food People Talk About
There’s a reason people end up talking about specific items here. Some become go-to picks not because they’re trendy, but because they feel comforting and familiar, with just enough personality to make them memorable.
Food Highlights
- Margherita Pizza: Balanced sauce, stretchy cheese, and fresh basil.
- Buffalo Chicken Pizza: Tangy, a little spicy, and deeply satisfying.
- Double Stack Pizza: Two layers of dough with a rich, chewy bite.
- Pepperoni Slice: Simple, classic, and never boring.
- White Pizza: Creamy, rich, and sauce-free.
- Baked Ziti Pizza: An indulgent mash-up that stands out.
Beyond those, the menu includes Sicilian pie, BBQ chicken, and gluten-free options, familiar without feeling overdone.
Beyond the Menu
East Village Pizza hasn’t chased expensive awards, Michelin stars, or press coverage in major guidebooks. But in a city full of pizzerias, it’s carved out a place for itself by doing things consistently well and by embracing the community around it. People swap stories about waiting in line, about how massive the slices are, about calling ahead to be sure Frank is there that day; some regulars even say they’ll text him to check if he’s on shift before they swing by.
Reviews are mostly positive, with many people praising the cheese pull and overall quality of the slices. Some commenters mention that a single slice can feel pricey compared to other quick‑slice spots, but others insist it’s worth it for the taste and portion size.
On Uber Eats and similar platforms, customer reviews often highlight the service and reliability alongside the pizzas themselves. People say they return because the pizza tastes the same each time and arrives hot and satisfying.
Atmosphere
Walking in feels friendly and unpretentious. There’s indoor seating that’s comfortable enough for groups or families, and outdoor spots where you can hang out and watch street life as people stream by. The energy stays casual, no pressure to rush, no pretense, just pizza and people enjoying it.
Some nights it’s quiet, some nights the line stretches out the door. But almost every time, you’ll find folks chatting, waiting for slices, and trading recommendations with whoever’s next in line.
Bottom Line
East Village Pizza is worth visiting because of its real backstory, menu of solid classic pies, signature creations people talk about, consistency day after day, and the way it connects with locals and visitors alike.
East Village Pizza
📍 145 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
📞 (212) 529-4545
🕔 Mon–Thu 11 AM – 3 AM, Fri–Sat 11 AM – 4:30 AM, Sun 11 AM – 3 AM
(eastvillagepizza.net)