By Gus Saltonstall
In a moment of real Upper West Side pride, a neighborhood pizza slice was just named the best in the world.
Time Out Worldwide published its list on Wednesday of the 18 best pizzas in the world right now, and the top spot went to none other than Mama’s TOO! at 2750 Broadway, between West 105th and 106th streets.
Specifically, Time Out highlighted Mama’s TOO’s! Cacio e Pepe slice, which is made with whipped mascarpone, aged mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, and Parmigiano Reggiano.
“I ventured up to Mama’s TOO! last summer to see a man about an elote slice, but when I made my way past the threshold of the door, I was soon tempted by a square that was quite literally hidden under a snowstorm of pecorino and Parmigiano Reggiano shreds,” Time Out Food and Drink editor Morgan Carter wrote as part of the rankings. “One quick melt in the oven later, and all the flavors sang in perfect harmony – creamy and light mascarpone, a bit of funk from the aged mozzarella and all the tangy, stretchy cheesiness I could ever ask for.”
Here’s how she described it.
“Where Mama’s TOO! blew me away was with the fourth and final slice I tasted: the Cacio E Pepe. I was stunned by the depth and authenticity of the flavor, especially given that they mix in three more cheeses in addition to the pecorino Romano (the sole cheese used in the pasta dish). It’s creamy, with deep, deep tang and tartness, and showcasing a generous sprinkle of crushed and toasted black pepper, and I fell in love at first bite.”
The Cacio e Pepe slice is $7.75.
Mama’s TOO! routinely gets ranked among the best pizzerias in New York City, but this is seemingly the first time it has been featured on a global list, let alone at the top of it.
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Great! Now we’ll never get in.
Sal and Carmine’s is down the street.
And it’s awful
Have loved Sal’s since the 60s when they were next to the Symphony. 15 cents for a slice, 10 cents for a drink. Also had great icees.
I think Sal & Carmine’s is the best on the UWS- And a top ten in Manhattan. If you want classic pizza, they’re where to go
Sal and Carmine’s is poor quality and generic.
When they’re on, S&C has an almost perfect old style NY (orange) slice. But I’ve found them to be less consistent over the years where I’ve gotten slices that are way too doughy.
Burnt overpriced dreck served by rude people in an overcrowded uncomfortable environment. Other than that I agree.
Couldn’t agree more. We live across the street and our first visit was the first few days they were open, and our slices were burnt. We assumed it was opening days kinks. But then we went back a few weeks later and the same. And then we saw the great reviews and Jerry Seinfeld going in, and we figured that was it. And then we went back some months later and our slices were burnt again.
I just don’t get it.
Well, we should first consider for a moment that this entire pizza issue cooks down to a matter of sorts in how we slice it, I suppose, as they say. Who are they? That depends.
Couldn’t agree more. Just an unpleasant space to be in. We finally gave up on it last summer
I mean, it’s a matter of opinion, and yours is wrong.
i had it a few times too much dough cheap oily cheese
wow you’re fun!
I have to agree with him lol not like they are worried about losing any business currently they can handle a few non-supportive comments
I’m sorry I’ve held my tongue for the last 3 or 4 stories about this place but it’s getting ridiculous now.
I’ve never eaten Mama Too’s pizza so I don’t have a dog in the race (sorry for the very mixed metaphor). But I’ve always loved the owner’s name: Frank Tuttolomondo. Which means “the whole world” in Italian. I guess he’s now lived up to his moniker. 🙂
I used to love Mama’s Too I do think there has been a decline in quality. I don’t know if it is because the owner opened up his west village location and his attention is there, it is noticeable. I do find when places expand to a second location quality does suffer at the original as it is no longer their primary focus. The taste and care is not what it once was and the people who work there look very unenthused.
I’ve noticed more of a decline in quantity than quality, per se. The classic seems to have gotten less substantial lately.
I love the place, but best in the world? No, but good for them. Don’t sleep on Super Nice Pizza for a sit down meal a few blocks away.
No pizza can ever live up to that type of hype. Once anything is deemed to be “best in the world,” it’s automatically set up for disappointment and dispute.
Pizza is better than pizza.
Okay, interesting statement with three “Likes”, but sorry…. “Pizza is better than pizza.”??? Look, I consider myself to be very well informed> I get the NY POST @ my door every single day, and even the $$$ SUNDAY SPECIALS pullout issue. I am on a fixed income. “Pizza” ORRRR “pizza” will do just fine. So, what am I missing here please?
This is either an excellent joke or not a joke at all 😂
You sound misinformed amongst other things
Pizza is better than no pizza
Pizza IS better than pizza
I am looking for a woman with pizzaz.
“In the WORLD?” REALLY?! And how, exactly, did they determine that? Did someone go to every pizza parlor in every country on seven continents – or even just all 208 sovereign nations – and try a slice? I’m calling B.S. on this. What a ridiculous claim!!
Thank goodness I’ve never tried this pizza. I don’t need any more neighborhood vices 🙂 It’s all I can do to stay away from Made in NY pizza, so if this is better I’m in deep trouble.
This is the truly difficult part of living on the UWS – there are too many delicious temptations on every block! Its a good thing we get our steps in walking the neighborhood
Frank has been involved with his family in making great pizza for for decades!
My kids tried pizza around the world but always came back to Mama’s at 106 and Amsterdam and said it was the best.
For me it was his smile and the positivity of the family and staff.
He has taken it to another level (maybe beyond competition)at Mama’s Too
Agree with your kids. Mama’s Too is a lot like many of the newer pizza spots in the city – cup pepperoni, hot honey, etc. Tasty enough but not best in the neighborhood, even. Mama’s on the other hand when at their best was the best in the city, ant least, and delivered a NY slice with almost Napolitana qualities. It was successor to Capri which used to be on Broadway in the 70s – 80s. Miss those days and the 35 cent slices.
What a surprise – another article about Mama’s Too.
Please highlight some of the other good pizza on the UWS.
There is no good pizza on the UWS. Go downtown!
It is currently too cold to go ANYWHERE!
Bosino. True it never arrives hot when I order it for delivery, but their margherita pizza is peerless (yes i said it.)
Ah, so you expect your PIZZA to arrive HOT. LOL… You should be sentenced to tomorrow evening as a Super Bowl Sunday “UWS RESTAURANT TAKE-OUT DELIVERY CREW EXPEDITER”. “(Toaster oven for a minute or two…) wink
Ageee! Bosino’s much better!
Bosino, Motorino, Super Nice, Sal & Carmines, Soto Casa, Verdello.
Both times we’ve tried Motorino, pizza was woefully underbaked.
I’ve had Motorino’s pizza delivered three times. Once the cracker-like crust was burnt black. The second one was cold and flabby (I live two blocks away). The third one, a Don Dom, was covered with a thin, wet sauce that resembled Campbell’s Tomato Soup, dotted with a clotted substance resembling cottage cheese, and lacked the advertised fresh basil. Maybe the pizza is better in-house, but at my house, three flops and you’re out.
What other pizza shops would you recommend trying? Outside of Sal & Carmine’s (which is a hike for me), I’ve not found a truly reliable slice shop on the UWS, though my focus is generally the southern part of the UWS
In the past, I liked Vinny’s on Amsterdam, Rigoletto (original on Columbus) and the underrated City Pie on 72nd. But they’re gone. Is there anything better now than, say, Made in NY?
Vinny’s isn’t gone!
La Traviata (W. 68th) is a place lots of locals go.
i didnt have my glasses on, and misread this as “cutie pie”. now wouldn’t that be a great name for a pizza place??
What was the name of the pizza place on Columbus where El Mitote is now?
That was Rigoletto!
Oh LORD!!!! I miss Rigoletto:(
V & T, Amst. between W.110th & W.111th, west side of street (St. John cathedral is across the street.) To its left is a comfy pub, 1020, that’s good about bringing in V & T’s. 1-train to B’way, or the M4 or M11 bus, that go right there.
How dare you give V&T away! MY best kept secret! I was BORN IN ITALY, Trieste… Took my family to V&T on occasions for DECADES… Still FAMILY-RUN if I am not mistaken. Entire TAKE-OUT area. A few years ago, I had a couple of their SUBS! SUPERB! Meatball, Eggplant, Sausage, Veal Parm, etc… ALL THE CLASSIC DISHES, FAMILY STYLE, GIGANTIC PLACE to my recollection, with wood paneling, you rarely find anymore around here, trust me. Hey, even has the red and white small, checkered tablecloths? What, am I wrong? FAUX-GET about it! I am a long time UWS Real Estate Broker… LOL
…
V&T does not sell pizza by the slice. The bartender in 1020 is very funny. I asked him why the lighting in 1020 was so dim. He said if they turned up the lights you would see what you’re sitting in.
Freddie & Pepper’s. Amsterdam btwn 74/75. Fantastic. And don’t sleep on the homemade Empanadas.
I agree. Excellent pizza
The tomato sauce on a basic cheese slice could use some help.
I miss Vinny’s!!!
I knew FREDDIE personally, as far back as the 80”s? Very nice fellow. OPERA SINGER if I am not mistaken. We discussed that once. I have a MUSIC BA in OPERA BARITONE VOICE from CCNY, but I am ROCKER… he-he…
Try Song’e Napule Upper West, their pizza is amazing
Thank you I agree! Should have emphasized I was looking for “NY slice” shop recs.
Freddie and Peppers is a good one. I should’ve have mentioned it.
OOOhhhh, Vinny’s !
Remember when the neighborhood started to get transplants form the other states and they would go to Vinny’s and ask for extra cheese. Miss it!!!!
Loved Vinnie’s. Used to meet my teenage kid there after school
Actually – i found it very greasy oily and how much dough can one eat
Their classic round pie is not doughy and is my favorite thing there. I appreciate the appeal of the extravagant-topping pizzas to some folks, but it’s just not my thing.
LLLLOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLL
I love Bill Williams comments, you can tell he’s a pizza-lover.
I agree. It sucks. No one should ever come here (especially between 5-7pm.)
Who eats dinner between 5-7pm anyway? This is not Arkansas, its Manhattan for Christ’s sake.
Yeah, what are we, Lemon, farmers???
And today it was also named the most overpriced pizza in the world…
Has Dave Portnoy ever been there? If so, I wonder what his rating was…
I like the pizza at Mama’s Too, but I don’t honestly think it’s any better than a lot of other pizzerias including those who do square slices. I like the Village Square, which is also closer to me. Their vodka slice is great.
I like pizza as a side dish.
To more pizza!
They look small and dreadful. Are they $10 a slice or more?
I think the proper headline should be “named best in the SOCIAL MEDIA world”.
I am sure a few pizza joints in Naples and Rome are smiling with sympathy reading this article…
What a joke .everytime I pass by there the pizza is burnt to a crisp and looks dry.Horrible pizza. An insult to pizza in Italy naming this best in the world
Love my neighborhood pizza place. Congrats to Mama’s pizza too!!!
I guess these pikers have never been to DiFara. Or Luigi’s in Brooklyn. Or Totonno’s. Or Pizza Supreme in Garden City.
Not the best not even on uws. The best since original location on west95th street is Sal and Carmines basically across bway.
Best served with a side of the UWS’s favorite beverage, haterade!
Used to go all the time when I lived in morningside. I think something was wrong that’s why I never went back. Like hair in my food or something like that
It is subjective to a certain point like square or regular. I like brick oven. My fav is in new haven. Sally’s pepes modern bar even the one next to pepes is decent
But honestly I used to go downtown to joes. Morningside sucks. Have to get out once in a while
They look crusted not fresh
I would like to try any type of Pizza
Davincis is good too in brooklyn
My friend in Rome says, “Who says so? Hah!”
Had this pizza and 100% it is not the best in New York City never mind the world and it ain’t spumoni Gardens in Brooklyn and Grimaldi‘s
People need to understand that quitting space is on a matter of taste and their personal opinion
I’m a pizza guy in my whole life born and raised in the Bronx. Have pizza everywhere in New York City the best pizza you can find believe it or not is in the Bronx not Brooklyn not Manhattan not Staten Island jersey it’s in the Bronx. I’ve had them all and the Bronx has the best pizza. There’s maybe four pizza shops or five in the Bronx. They are truly amazing slices been around for over 50 years
And what’s with the sloppy presentation??
Same thing with movie critics most critics are delusional anyway.
Enjoy your pizza. Forget about it.!
I can’t believe that Ive never had Pizza from Mamma’s Too, I live in the neighborhood. I’ll venture in once the temperature warms up!
It’s Time Out people, relax. They manufacture a contest as stupid as the best slice in the world, which makes no sense especially when they have no qualifications – great click bait for sure but it’s going to be a boost to at a tiny UWS (and yes now also WV) local spot. Worse things could happen.
Better slice across the street at Traviata – and no poseurs to have to contend with.
The world must be a teensy tiny place, because I can walk a couple blocks south on the same avenue to Sal and Carmine’s and have arguably a better classic New York slice.
I settled this place before the Times’ review, would love a loyalty program
Yay — our Abigail got the scoop over Time Out!
Props to Abigael Sidi. Her palate is well tuned and her judgment of food is among the best I’ve read. Her family “training” no doubt has given her a strong platform to evaluate food. and cooking. Bravo to WSR for bringing her to me.
However, “Best in the world” is typical of the all or nothing winner take all world we live in today. Mere praise is not enough. It is a ridiculous acclamation.
Go to V&T, Amst. bet. W.110th & 111th! Must buy a whole pie, though. Usually the crust is not oily, and tastes like homemade bread.
For my money, the best slices on the UWS are Sal & Carmine’s (Bway/102, a tad salty, but classic), Francesco’s (68/Col, inconsistent, but when they get it right, it’s about as perfect a NY slice as anywhere), Marinara (83/Col, thinner crust, but again, when they get it right….) and Made in NY (80th/Amst), which may be the closest to the classic NY slice anywhere in the nabe).
Made In NY needs to use better flour.
Pizza Collective makes the same mistake.
Bosino’s 🍕 is great. However they don’t sell it by the slice it’s a sit-down restaurant that was created out of an old pizza place called Il buco (whole-i -the-wall) and now it’s my go-to Italian place!
Sal & Carmine is for us the best. Perfect mix of reliable pizza , great behind the counter service, and has taken me through my entire life thus far ! I remember them at 95th and Broadway. Fresh ingredients, delicious!
Horrible pizza always burnt and dry. An insult to all pizzerias in italy calling this the best pizza in the world
I grew up on 97th street, when Sal’s pizza was next door to the Symphony, on 95th street. I went there every day after school and on Fridays we always got a pie for dinner (our dad used to sternly tell us to “hold the box straight” when my brother and I would go pick it up, so that the plentiful cheese wouldn’t all slide over to one side of the box). Fifty years ago and still today, Sal and Carmine’s (now on 102nd) remains the absolutely most delicious pizza in NYC, hands down. I’ve been to Mama Too (before it became “the” place to go for pizza) and the food there is good, but it’s not really pizza.
Unless you can fold it in half and hold it with one hand and have the oil drip down on to your hands, you are not eating REAL pizza. And Sal and Carmine’s even with the next generation running the joint now, is still far and away the perfect slice of pizza. Period.
Once when I was a kid I saw Al Lewis (who played Grandpa on The Munsters) eating pizza at Sal’s, when “Symphony Space” was a movie theater, much missed. It was a thrill, even though he looked extremely grumpy. I am sure it wasn’t the pizza!
Looks like WSR’s own food columnist got the scoop on the cacio e Pepe! I tried it this week after I read her piece and it’s phenomenal. Abby is great and a has knack for finding the right dish at the right places. Highly recommend her stuff
Absolutely not. Do not agree at all. It’s way too heavy.