NYPD – New York Pizza Department - “Almost There”

 Most everyone I know loves pizza. I remember back when pizza was tasty before they started adding hot dogs or refried beans. I don’t eat it much anymore but when I do I want a real good pizza!

I remember, what seems eons ago, when I visited some friends in New York and watched them eat pizza. They folded it! But I must say, they sure knew how to eat pizza AND make it. I don’t think I have tasted pizza that good since.

I have been to a little place downtown that friends told me they liked and it was pretty good but still not like what I remember back in New York.

Maybe it is that ‘the times’ have changed and people are getting chincy nowadays with how they make things or maybe you still just can’t beat New York pizza.

Well, I was driving along 153 in Hixson and I saw NYPD on the door. I knew that couldn’t be a police department. I just thought that was odd. Then I looked at the big sign above and I saw the word ‘pizza’ I was delighted to think New York was bringing pizza to we Southerners! I went back to Hixson to find it when I was ready to try it and it is located across from Walmart on 153.

Parking was a cinch and I went inside. I saw Pizza’s displayed in a window. That meant that if I wanted just a slice, that it would be one of those re-heated. That’s okay, it’s not as though I had never re-heated a pizza before. I told the boy behind the pizza display that I was hoping to try a good New York Pizza. He assured me that many New Yorkers come in and that ‘they say it’s even better’.

Now my guess is that young man thinks he can pull the wool over an old lady’s bi-focals! I already had my doubts. I viewed the pizzas available in a single slice and didn’t see my favorite. I asked if he had pizza with prosciutto. When he asked one of the cooks next to him, I could tell they had no idea what I was talking about. “No” was my answer.

I couldn’t decide between two pizzas and the sizes were rather large so I asked the young man if he could cut them in half and let me try two. This boy was full of ‘no’s’. Seemed to me if he sliced them himself, he could slice it once more. I settled for the ‘Fresh Offense’ slice for $4.75 and soft drink for $1.75. I was moved down the line to the girl at the register.

The boy hollered back at me, “You sure you don’t want a second piece?” Lord, that one piece was the size of New York – how would I eat two? I got my fountain drink and sat down at a table. The place had New York décor and Police Department effects hanging up. The wallpaper was cheap looking, but that’s neither here nor there. Pay me no mind; I will get to the food. They do seem a bit pricey for a whole pizza which rates between $18 and $24, but they look to be gourmet and I am sure it is worth it. They also had a special for two cheese slices and a cola for $6.50. The boy called my name and I got my tray. The pizza was H-O-T, hot! That was a good sign. I had remembered burning my mouth on pizza in NY.

I waited for it to cool and then, trying to recapture my NY experience, I ‘folded it’. I must have been a sight but I wanted to do it right. That first bite was so good! The crust was thin alright… but still not quite like I had remembered. I would say that it was better pizza than the place I went to downtown but to me a pizza is only really good if you end up eating the crust. If you don’t eat it to the end, then that means the crust was not that good and that - just isn’t good pizza.

I did like the fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and the sauce. It was a tasty pizza. I started to eat the crust and, after tasting it… I did not follow through. The crust on the end was hard and over cooked. To be fair – I am sure that it was because I had it by the slice from a pizza that was already cooked and re-heated. I am sure if I went with a group and ordered a fresh pizza that it would have probably been the closest thing I remember New York pizza tasting like. Still, I bet they use all-purpose flour and not bread flour, like New York does.

I sinned and did not eat the crust. But I will say – yes, Willie Mae will go back. It is the closest thing to real New York pizza I have found so far.