Quick answer
NYC's dollar slice is a cultural institution — even if the price has crept up to $1.50. Joe's Pizza on Carmine St remains the gold standard for a classic New York slice, while 2 Bros Pizza on St. Marks Place leads the budget-slice chains. This list covers both true dollar-slice joints and the city's best cheap pizza, all curated from Reddit recommendations.
- Best overall
- Joe's Pizza — 4.5★ (10,169 reviews)
- Best dollar slice
- 2 Bros Pizza (St. Marks) — $1–$2
- Price range
- $1–$6 per slice
- Last verified
- 2026-03
Top verdicts
- Joe's Pizza: The single most recommended pizza shop in NYC across all of Reddit. Not a dollar spot, but worth every cent of $3.50.
- 2 Bros Pizza: The king of dollar-slice chains — specifically the St. Marks Place location. Consistently called the best of the cheap spots.
- Percy's Pizza: The connoisseur's dollar slice — crispier, less crowded, and quietly excellent on Bleecker St.
NYC's cheap pizza scene ranges from $1-$6, with 2 Bros Pizza on St. Marks Place being a Reddit favorite for dollar slices. This guide highlights the best budget-friendly pizza spots in New York City, balancing price and quality based on local recommendations.
The New York dollar slice is one of the city's great equalizers — billionaires, broke students, and 2 AM bar-crawlers all standing at the same counter, folding the same greasy triangle. In 2026, the true $1 slice is nearly extinct (inflation came for us all), but the spirit lives on at $1.50.
This guide covers both ends of NYC cheap pizza: the dollar-slice joints where quantity meets convenience, and the neighborhood slice shops where $3.50 buys you one of the best slices on earth. We combed through hundreds of Reddit posts from r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC, r/Pizza, and r/nyc to find the spots real New Yorkers eat at — not just the ones tourists queue for.
Pizza Map
How we built this list
We analyzed 150+ Reddit posts and 1,000+ comments across r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC, r/Pizza, and r/nyc — spanning 2020 to 2026. We tracked which spots were mentioned most frequently, weighted by upvotes and commenter credibility (lifelong New Yorkers vs. tourists). Price data was verified via Google Maps and recent reviews. Every spot on this list was recommended in at least 3 separate threads by different users.
1Joe's Pizza
New York SliceQuick comparison
- Best for
- The quintessential NYC slice experience
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 10,169 reviews · Perfectly thin, crispy, foldable slice · Open since 1975
- Limitations
- Not a dollar slice ($3.50+). Line can be long on weekends.
- Price / value
- $3.50/slice · Exceptional for the quality
- Why it made the list
- If you eat one slice of pizza in New York, it should be from Joe's. The line moves fast, the slice is perfect, and it sets the standard everything else is measured against.
- What to order
- Plain cheese slice. That's it. The simplicity IS the point. If you want, add a pepperoni slice. Fold it. Eat on the sidewalk.
22 Bros Pizza
Dollar SliceQuick comparison
- Best for
- Cheapest good-enough pizza in NYC
- Strengths
- 4.4★ · $1–$1.50 per slice · Multiple locations · High turnover = fresh slices
- Limitations
- It's dollar pizza — don't expect artisan quality. Other locations vary in quality.
- Price / value
- $1–$1.50/slice · Unbeatable for the price
- Why it made the list
- Specifically the St. Marks location — Reddit consistently calls it the best of all 2 Bros locations. It's the late-night fuel every East Village bar-goer relies on.
- What to order
- Plain cheese slice. Maybe two. At $1.50 each, why not? The pepperoni is fine too. Don't overthink it — that's not the point.
3Prince Street Pizza
Sicilian SliceQuick comparison
- Best for
- The best Sicilian/square slice in Manhattan
- Strengths
- 4.4★ from 8,932 reviews · Famous spicy pepperoni square · Thick, crispy Sicilian dough
- Limitations
- Not cheap ($5–6 for the pepperoni square). Long line, especially weekends. Overhyped to some.
- Price / value
- $5–6 for the famous square · Worth it once
- Why it made the list
- The pepperoni square is a bucket-list NYC food item. It's not dollar pizza, but it's iconic cheap pizza — and the Instagram-famous slice for a reason.
- What to order
- The Spicy Spring pepperoni square. That's the one everyone talks about. Thick, crispy, with those signature small cup pepperoni that curl up and hold little pools of spicy oil.
4NY Pizza Suprema
New York SliceQuick comparison
- Best for
- Best slice near Penn Station / Midtown West
- Strengths
- 4.6★ from 8,450 reviews · Highest rated on this list · Open since 1964 · Great Sicilian and Grandma slices too
- Limitations
- Gets crowded during rush hour. Not a dollar slice ($3.50+).
- Price / value
- $3.50–5/slice · Outstanding value for the quality
- Why it made the list
- Some Redditors argue Suprema is better than Joe's. It's the perfect first-or-last-slice-in-NYC spot if you're catching a train at Penn Station. Open since 1964.
- What to order
- Regular cheese slice first. Then try their Sicilian or fresh mozzarella slice. The Grandma slice (when available) is outstanding.
5Percy's Pizza
Dollar SliceQuick comparison
- Best for
- Best-quality dollar slice in NYC
- Strengths
- 4.6★ · Crispier than 2 Bros · Bleecker St location · No massive lines
- Limitations
- Single location. Still dollar pizza — manage expectations.
- Price / value
- $1–$1.50/slice · Best quality-per-dollar in the city
- Why it made the list
- Reddit's insider pick for dollar pizza. Percy's doesn't have the name recognition of 2 Bros, but locals consistently say the slice is better — crispier, less floppy, more flavor.
- What to order
- Plain cheese. The crust is noticeably crispier than other dollar spots. Get two slices and a can of soda for under $5.
6Scarr's Pizza
Old-School SliceQuick comparison
- Best for
- Old-school NYC slice with artisan ingredients on the LES
- Strengths
- 4.4★ from 4,593 reviews · House-milled flour · Hand-stretched mozzarella · Cash only adds to the vibe
- Limitations
- Not cheap ($4+ per slice). Cash only. Can be a wait.
- Price / value
- $4–6/slice · Premium but worth the upgrade
- Why it made the list
- Scarr's bridges the gap between dollar pizza and fancy pizza. It looks like an old-school NYC slice shop but uses ingredients that would make a Neapolitan pizzaiolo nod in approval.
- What to order
- Plain slice to taste the flour. Then a pepperoni. The dough has a slightly nutty, complex flavor you won't find anywhere else.
7$1.50 Fresh Pizza
Budget SliceQuick comparison
- Best for
- Cheapest decent slice near Midtown / Times Square
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 4,506 reviews · $1.50/slice · Great Midtown location · TripAdvisor ranked #396 of 8,925 NYC restaurants
- Limitations
- It's $1.50 pizza. Perfectly fine, not revelatory.
- Price / value
- $1.50/slice · Insane value for Midtown
- Why it made the list
- If you're a tourist near Times Square looking for cheap pizza that won't disappoint, this is your spot. Ranked in the top 5% of all NYC restaurants on TripAdvisor.
- What to order
- Cheese slice. Two of them. Maybe three — it's $1.50 each. Total damage: under $5 for a meal in Midtown Manhattan.
8East Village Pizza
Budget SliceQuick comparison
- Best for
- Cheap slice in the East Village / Alphabet City area
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 2,202 reviews · True budget pricing · East Village institution
- Limitations
- Basic dollar-slice quality. No frills.
- Price / value
- $1–2/slice · Classic dollar-slice value
- Why it made the list
- Mentioned on Reddit as one of the last spots still offering truly cheap slices in the East Village. A neighborhood staple that hasn't compromised.
- What to order
- Cheese slice. Simple, no-fuss, and exactly what you want walking home at midnight.
9Best Pizza
Artisan SliceQuick comparison
- Best for
- Best slice in Brooklyn / Williamsburg
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 2,053 reviews · Famous white slice · Great cheese slice too · Cool Williamsburg location
- Limitations
- Brooklyn only — requires a trip from Manhattan. Not cheap ($4+).
- Price / value
- $4–6/slice · Worth crossing the bridge for
- Why it made the list
- If you're in Williamsburg, this is the one. Named "Best Pizza" with zero irony — and the white slice (ricotta, mozzarella, garlic) is one of the best things you'll eat in NYC.
- What to order
- The white slice (ricotta, mozzarella, garlic). Then a regular cheese slice to compare. Both are excellent.
1099 Cent Fresh Pizza
Dollar SliceQuick comparison
- Best for
- Actual dollar slice in the East Village
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 698 reviews · Among the cheapest in the city · Quick, no-frills
- Limitations
- Basic quality. You get what you pay for.
- Price / value
- $1/slice · As cheap as NYC pizza gets
- Why it made the list
- Mentioned on Reddit as one of the last genuine dollar slice holdouts. "For those looking for a genuine dollar slice, 99 Cent Fresh Pizza at 71 2nd Ave has it."
- What to order
- Cheese slice. It's a dollar. Maybe grab a couple and keep moving.
111 Dollar Pizza
Dollar SliceQuick comparison
- Best for
- Cheap slice near Hell's Kitchen / Theater District
- Strengths
- 4.1★ · Dollar pricing · Convenient Midtown West location
- Limitations
- Basic quality. Fewer reviews than other spots.
- Price / value
- $1–2/slice · Solid for the area
- Why it made the list
- One of the few remaining true dollar spots on the west side. Handy if you're near the theater district and need a cheap bite.
- What to order
- Cheese slice. Quick, cheap, exactly what the name promises.
12Amore Pizza
Budget SliceQuick comparison
- Best for
- Best cheap slice in Queens / Flushing
- Strengths
- 4.4★ from 2,113 reviews · Budget pricing · Well-loved by locals
- Limitations
- In Flushing — far from typical tourist areas.
- Price / value
- $1.50–3/slice · Great outer-borough value
- Why it made the list
- Dollar pizza isn't just a Manhattan thing. Amore in Flushing has 2,100+ reviews and is beloved by locals. If you're exploring Queens (and you should), stop here.
- What to order
- Cheese slice. Try their specialty slices if they look fresh — the variety is better than most dollar-slice shops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does dollar pizza still exist in NYC in 2026?
Technically, true $1 pizza is nearly extinct. Most "dollar slice" shops now charge $1.50 per cheese slice. A few holdouts in the East Village and Hell's Kitchen still occasionally sell at $1, but $1.50 is the new standard for the cheapest pizza in NYC.
Where is the best dollar slice in New York?
According to Reddit consensus, the 2 Bros Pizza location on St. Marks Place is widely considered the best of the dollar-slice chains. Percy's Pizza on Bleecker Street is another favorite — less crowded than 2 Bros, with a crispier crust. For quality-per-dollar, East Village Pizza on 1st Ave is also frequently recommended.
What is the difference between dollar pizza and regular pizza in NYC?
Dollar slice shops use cheaper ingredients, simpler recipes, and high-volume production to keep prices low. The cheese is lower quality, the sauce is simpler, and slices are thinner. But the best dollar spots (2 Bros St. Marks, Percy's) achieve a surprisingly satisfying result. Regular slice shops like Joe's Pizza or NY Pizza Suprema use better ingredients and typically charge $3.50–$5 per slice — still cheap by any standard outside NYC.
Is Joe's Pizza worth the wait?
Yes, with a caveat. Joe's on Carmine Street is genuinely excellent — thin, crispy, perfectly charred. The line usually moves fast (10–15 minutes). Reddit consensus: it's not just hype. However, some locals argue NY Pizza Suprema near Penn Station is equally good with shorter waits. Both are worth eating at.
What should I order at a NYC pizza shop?
Start with a plain cheese slice — it's the true test of any NYC pizza shop. If it's good, try their specialty: the pepperoni square at Prince Street Pizza, the white slice at Best Pizza in Williamsburg, or the Sicilian at NY Pizza Suprema. Fold the slice in half lengthwise (the "New York fold"), eat standing on the sidewalk, and don't use a fork.
Where can tourists get cheap pizza near Times Square?
$1.50 Fresh Pizza on Broadway (near 57th St) is your best bet in the Midtown area — 4.5★ with over 4,500 Google reviews. NY Pizza Suprema on 8th Ave near Penn Station is also walkable and widely considered one of the best slices in the city. Avoid the generic tourist-trap pizza places on 7th Ave.
Is pizza in NYC really that much better than everywhere else?
According to Redditors who've moved away and come back: yes, but it's partly about the culture. NYC water (yes, it matters), coal/gas deck ovens, high volume (fresh slices constantly), and 100+ years of pizza tradition all contribute. A $3.50 slice from Joe's Pizza rivals $20 pies in most other cities. As one Redditor put it: "You don't go to NYC for dollar pizza because it's gourmet. You go because a $1.50 slice at 2 AM after the bars is a spiritual experience."
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