When visiting New York City, trying pizza is at the top of most tourists’ lists. The options are endless — from “Best in Town” contenders to hole-in-the-wall slice shops. We’ve tried plenty over the years and even shared some of our favorites in this post.
NYC is full of iconic foods that visitors want to check off their list — bagels, cheesecake, pastrami sandwiches, and of course, pizza. And just like you might visit Junior’s for cheesecake, Gallagher’s for steak, or Sardi’s for a pre-show dinner, John’s of Times Square is where you can sit down and enjoy a full New York pizza experience without leaving the Theater District.
The Location
Located at 260 West 44th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues, John’s is right in the middle of the Times Square/Theater District.
From the outside, it looks like any other pizza joint in NYC.
But looks can be deceiving. The first time we walked in, we were shocked — after stepping past the small lobby and bar, you suddenly enter a massive open space that you’d never expect from the outside.
Opened in 1997, this restaurant took over the former Gospel Tabernacle Church, which had fallen into disrepair. Today, it’s the largest pizzeria in the United States. Stained glass windows, balcony seating, and a giant mural make the dining room feel more like a theater than a pizza place.
The Pizza
Here’s something important to know: this isn’t the place for a $0.99 slice. John’s is strictly a sit-down restaurant and only serves whole pies.
The menu has plenty of Italian dishes too, but we’re purists and usually stick to the traditional mozzarella-and-tomato-sauce pizza. John’s uses a coal-fired oven, which gives the crust a crispier, slightly smokier flavor than a typical gas-oven or slice shop pizza. Not everyone associates that with “classic” New York pizza, but we like both for what they are.
While it’s not the absolute best coal-oven pizza in New York, it’s still excellent — and better than most pizza you’ll find anywhere else in the country.
Reviews and What to Expect
John’s consistently earns 4 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor and Yelp. Reviews often mention the same themes we’ve noticed:
- Prices are a little steep, but you’re paying for the location.
- It gets very busy, which can result in long waits and occasionally inconsistent service.
- They only take reservations for large groups, so for everyone else it’s first-come, first-served. We’ve seen wait times stretch to 45 minutes or more, especially around showtimes.
Final Thought
If you’re on the hunt for the very best pizza in New York, there are the usual suspects. Or, if you ask my wife Sharon, it means heading out to Staten Island (Note from Sharon: I grew up on Staten Island and there’s a distinct difference between SI pizza and Manhattan pizza. IMHO, SI pizza wins. Brooklyn pizza wins too, BTW).
But if you’re short on time and don’t want to hop on the subway or into a taxi, John’s is a solid alternative right in the heart of Times Square. Just like Junior’s, Gallagher’s, or Sardi’s help visitors cross off other New York food traditions, John’s is where you can check the “NYC pizza” box without straying far from Broadway.
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Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
