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| - When I meet out-o-towners at Book & Stage and (many drinks later) they inevitably tell me they could go for a snack, you can bet I've known all along where to take them. We're going to Pizza.
[As a side note, I don't call this place "Secret Pizza" because 1) it's no secret any longer, 2) the take-away menu has a big black circle on the front and the word "Pizza" in white letters and 3) because I love such a generic name. I swear if I owned a restaurant, I'd name it "Food" or "Eat"]
As long as you know where the 3rd floor pool tables are or where Blue Ribbon Sushi is, you can find it. You're going to experience a style and aura here that you just don't see often. The wall of record covers and the Galaga machine are my favorite touches. Well, they are really the only two touches. I've tried to make it to the top of the Galaga score board but for some reason none of the scores stick.
Now for the pizza: It's New York style and it's ricotta and it's foldable and it's soft on the inside with a perfect crunch on the bottom and it's cheap and it's marvelous drinking food. Every slice is unique and has character. Just like New Yorkers! My favorite is the white pizza. I can deal with deli meats any other day of the week, but when a white sauce and cheese can stand alone that well, then I dedicate myself to it. Just don't make the mistake I did one tipsy night and pound the garlic shaker over your white pizza thinking it's parmesan. You and anyone you kiss will reek of garlic for 2 days.
I give it 4 stars because: 1) The service isn't outstanding. For a $4 slice of pizza and PBR on tap you really can't expect Ritz service, but sometimes these guys look like they're going to go either comatose or Angry Birds on you. 2) When it's busy, you won't find a seat. There's more counter space than stools. (Do you think that was a coincidence? I think not.) You're best to go in with your friends, buy a whole pizza, and bring it out to the couches near the pool tables. Everyone else will see your tempting whole pizza with no name on the box and wonder where you got it. Let them in on it if you so choose....
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