Deep nostalgia to the point that I can’t be objective, since my grandma lived around the corner from it. Which is to say, it’s the best and anyone who says otherwise must be shunned.
In the nostaglia line as well. L&B tastes like the first night of Summer my mom declared it too hot for the stove to be touched and we were going for pizza.
During covid when there was no traffic and ample parking, we drove through all the boroughs for a pizza tour and L&B had to be my favorite of the day and top 3 in the city.
Incredible pizza. Glad its hidden deep in Brooklyn or more tourists would visit. Had a pie delivered during covid and it was scrumptious! Froze a few slices and it reheated perfectly.
Almost any native NYer has been to it or at least knows about it. There are no hidden gems in this city, just places that haven’t been taken over by TikTok influencers.
I’ve had it so many times over the last 20 years and there’s lulls and periods of greatness at least from anecdotal experience.
Honestly, last few times I had it were great, and when it hits, it *hits*.
I worked a late night with some people and one guy went on and on about how he had a treat for us when we finished up...the pizza came and oh how he was really raving about it...for me it was wet soggy, undercooked raw dough with sauce and melted cheese. It was beyond disgusting...🤮 totally dreadful and it's supposed to be something that they are famous for...bleeesh.
My husband and I love it, especially after a day at the beach! There’s a lot of great pizza in NYC but sometimes we want to history and nostalgia of an L&B pie.
L & B also charges normal menu price ($32) for a square pie on UberEats (most places will jack up the UE prices).
You pair that with a 40% coupon that they give out like candy and it offsets most of the fees/tips and it saves you the trip to Bensonhurst.
I'm like 35 mins away from L&B nowadays so it's one of my favorite spots to order the occasional delivery.
The first time I went there I got some square and round slices to compare. The Sicilian is the best anywhere ever. The round slices are bad frozen food. Its amazing how one can be so good and one can be so bad.
It reheats so well. Just get an extra pie foe the next week.
I don’t get the “inconsistent” comments, been going there for decades and never had a bad slice. I also think it heats up nicely if you throw the left overs in the oven
I live 5 minutes away, I can't be unbiased, it's fucking amazing. Even after having eaten so many slices around the city and even the world, it's still fucking amazing.
Here’s the thing about L&B… if you’re craving pizza, L&B probably won’t scratch that itch. But if you’re in the mood for L&B, which you should be, oh man is that itch gonna get scratched.
L and B is good, but overrated and it used to be better. I still enjoy it occasionally but yea I think it’s overrated. It’s can sometimes be both soggy and burnt at the same time, a true paradox
I've had it a few times where the dough was undercooked. I think it's solid everyone once in a while. And while totally different, I think I prefer Roll N Roaster if I want something nostalgic.
Since I moved to queens though I haven’t found anything even approaching the mid slices in MP and gerritsen near me. But I can eat any cuisine from the planet in a mile distance so you win some you lose some I guess
Used to frequent both of those when I lived in marine park but I’m in central queens now so might as well be the Bronx lol. I’m not looking for the best slice per se just a decent one in walking distance. So far been going to champions which is ok but not great
Must get the square not a plain slice and those who say it's undercooked might not understand the texture of the slice is meant to be similar to what might be an undercooked sliced.
Also must get a spumoni as well
I grew up in that 15min walk radius. After the new owners came in it’s never been the same. If I’m ever there these days, I usually pick John’s Deli (which is also inconsistent).
"The Original" John's Deli in Stillwell also got new owners maybe around ~10 years ago?
There's 2 other locations at Dyker Heights and Staten Island. They share the same website and are affiliated with each other while "the original" has their own website.
I have no clue if the other 2 location are better than "the original" at this point lol.
I had it a few weeks ago and it tasted like Pizza Hut. Blech. I don't think it's been the same since the owner was murdered in that mob hit several years ago.
Yeah I've had it half a dozen times since the ninties and it's worse every time I go. Too bready, sauce is weird and too sweet. I think it's nostalgic for people who grew up with it.
I had it once in person, fresh pie and it was so mediocre, but the spumoni and vibes were v good. Someday when stars align i will give it a second shot
In my opinion the pizza is good, not great. But it’s the environment that makes it special. Sitting outside on a summer day, the place is mobbed with all sorts of people it’s just an awesome place to be. The spumoni is all ways the best part for me.
Similar to Di Fara, a NY “institution” that’s been resting on their laurels. It’s not that they’ve really gotten worse; the competition has gotten much better. Though I’d argue that Di Fara has never been that good to begin with.
Yeah, Suprema might have the best upside down in the city. The original Rosa's in Maspeth is also a contender. Along with Spumoni, 3 best upside down slices i've had in NYC.
The space is nice if you want to eat outside with a group. The pizza is good but if I'm going to travel 45 minutes I'd rather go somewhere exceptional.
I can eat a half sheet by myself. If you don’t like it you’re nuts. Squares all day with a Spumoni to wash it down. That block in the summer at night, I can sit for hours eating pizza and just people watch.
When it's cooked fresh, and you're not waiting an hour for a pie, and also whoever made it knows what they're doing, it's heaven. And nothing else in New York can touch it.
When you get a bad pie, it's disgusting mush that makes you question all of your life choices.
Love it, haven’t had it in years as live in Australia, when their pizza comes up on my Insta feed, I get excited but then deflated that’s it’s so far away.
Been going on and off for years since I've moved to sheepshead bay, has been great at times, you do get some undercooked or burnt now and then but still holds it's flavor, usually toss in the toaster oven or air fryer for a bit, makes for great leftovers if you get a half or full tray, their spumoni ice still hits for a good treat, I switched to Krispy pizza lately on 13th Ave, their pesto roni has been my go to lately.
I was a last minute entry to their ice cream eating contest. Lost but ended up with a giant tub of spumoni that took up 2/3 of my freezer and had to lay on its side.
Alrdy commented but i just want to say its so great seeing other people from south bklyn, esp this far south! In a little further south but only about 8 min driving time.
who exactly owns this place? locals will swear the sauce tastes different because the arabs own it. but the news after that guy got shot was that he was the owner, it's been family owned since forever. and then you have that whole news about how the mob had to be involved to keep the secret recipe in Brooklyn.
born and raised in bay ridge. i think l&b is overrated and has gone down hill since i was a kid (born in ‘91). i still will get it a handful of times per year but it doesn’t do it for me anymore
I love them. Nostalgia wise and also when my dad was released from the hospital on Christmas Eve a few years ago unexpectedly they put together a whole feast for us on the fly and even delivered it.
That’s my old neighborhood and I really don’t care for it, it’s way too doughy for my liking. I’d just get a regular slice there why my friends enjoyed the squares. It’s also extremely expensive for pizza. The spumoni is awesome though.
Expat who was introduced by colleague. Hands down one of my best pizza experiences also partly due to slight nostalgia of venturing to different part of the city
My mom grew up around the corner so I’ve been having this pizza my whole life. Now that everyone has moved away, whenever someone in my family goes they bring coolers and bring pizza and spumoni back for everyone. It is and always will be my favorite pizza place
I'm from Staten island so I know what new York pizza should taste like and this is exactly it. The sauce has the perfect texture and it's doesn't have an overpowering tomato flavor so it tastes sweet which is good. The thicc Sicilian squares are what they're know for and it's honestly the best in Brooklyn in my opinion.
really good food there, square pizza is a nice part of every meal i'd imagine during a meal there. Together we had four entrees, one square slice each. The penne with sauce, mmm mmm good. Had it with veal along with the square slice on the side. What a meal that was.
Quality varies all over the place. Usually not crispy because it's been sitting there and they're too lazy to reheat it.
The regular slices have dipped in quality for the last few years. Even when they cook a fresh regular pie, seems like nobody there even knows to do that right anymore.
Their spumoni is still good and consistent.
i've been once and i hope it was just an off day because it was not good. like, one of my least favorite pies i've had living here. i feel like it was the sauce, because the crust/bread was good. the spumone was great though
that said, i need to go again some time because it has to be better than this
Disgusting. Undercooked dough and burnt crust. There is barely any cheese, and the sauce is too sweet. Cheap pie. Of course, sheep mentality makes people go back.
Deep nostalgia to the point that I can’t be objective, since my grandma lived around the corner from it. Which is to say, it’s the best and anyone who says otherwise must be shunned.
^ I second this for the exact same reason.
In the nostaglia line as well. L&B tastes like the first night of Summer my mom declared it too hot for the stove to be touched and we were going for pizza.
Agree 100% ... My grandma grandpa, mom and I lived at 82 & 76Ave U through the 80s
Totally agree as well
yup!
Damn straight
THIS
We need an exposé about whatever the hell is happening with the Dumbo location
I get so sad whenever I see the sign from the BQE
whatever happened there
I can’t even say it’s name
That ahnimal spumoni
What’s happening at dumbo
During covid when there was no traffic and ample parking, we drove through all the boroughs for a pizza tour and L&B had to be my favorite of the day and top 3 in the city.
When slices were still $2.50 but you had to buy a minimum of 6
ooh can we hear the top 5?
Hahah guess a lot of us had the same idea. I think I went here 3 straight weekends during covid. Traffic sucks fucking balls now.
Do share the top 5!!
What was your top 3? 5?
Incredible pizza. Glad its hidden deep in Brooklyn or more tourists would visit. Had a pie delivered during covid and it was scrumptious! Froze a few slices and it reheated perfectly.
Eating it cold straight out of the fridge is delectable in its own way
Hidden?
Not in the typical touristy areas in Brooklyn?
Almost any native NYer has been to it or at least knows about it. There are no hidden gems in this city, just places that haven’t been taken over by TikTok influencers.
Ok 👍
yeah… native nyer. u miss the part where they said tourists?
Amazing when good. The inconsistency makes it exciting for some reason
Really? I go there all the time and always got a great slice.
I’m scared now at what the “not good slices” are like, I feel like it always hits
Maybe you’re enjoying the “not good” slices now and the “actual good” slices will blow your mind
Haha, wait now I’m excited again!
This is so innocent and cute 😂
But if I’m enjoying the not good slices, and enjoy good slices from other pizzerias does that make them good slices or everything bad slices 😵💫
Ask for a corner sometime the last one I had was trash.
That’s up to preference I think, I used to fight for the corner now I like a center slice with a lot of sauce
When my husband inevitably makes me go again I’m going to ask for this for sure!
The center is what's up. Sauce is the best.
We went today lol. It was far better than the last time, bordering on pretty good! Saucy for sure!
Glad to hear you had a better experience. Always been a fan of the sauce and aerated crust
I’ve never gotten a slice I considered to be bad, but it definitely hits different sometimes.
I’ve had it so many times over the last 20 years and there’s lulls and periods of greatness at least from anecdotal experience. Honestly, last few times I had it were great, and when it hits, it *hits*.
You have to ask for a fresh pie and wait or they’ll take one off the rack.
u could ask for a fresh pie. that would probably be the most consistent
Literally the most consistent pizzeria in the city. You have no idea what you’re talking about
I’ve heard many, many people say it’s inconsistent. So there’s something there. I only eat it once in a while, and it’s very good.
Mama always said life is like a box of pizza from Spumoni Gardens
Not when far away. Spent 90 mins getting there to be served a wet soggy underbaked pie. Is it supposed to be like that? 0/10 won’t come back.
I worked a late night with some people and one guy went on and on about how he had a treat for us when we finished up...the pizza came and oh how he was really raving about it...for me it was wet soggy, undercooked raw dough with sauce and melted cheese. It was beyond disgusting...🤮 totally dreadful and it's supposed to be something that they are famous for...bleeesh.
I had the exact same experience the both times I went there. I wanted to love it... the under cooked part really confused me.
Get 3 and walk around the corner and get a roast beef at John’s and then have a heart attack and die with a smile and no regrets.
My husband and I love it, especially after a day at the beach! There’s a lot of great pizza in NYC but sometimes we want to history and nostalgia of an L&B pie.
Love it
L & B also charges normal menu price ($32) for a square pie on UberEats (most places will jack up the UE prices). You pair that with a 40% coupon that they give out like candy and it offsets most of the fees/tips and it saves you the trip to Bensonhurst. I'm like 35 mins away from L&B nowadays so it's one of my favorite spots to order the occasional delivery.
This is the way! I live for those 40% off coupons from UberEats.
we need a support group for stacking Uber deals, I’ve finessed some insane meals stacking coupons lmao
Bruh/dudette I know right? That’s exactly what we need. I love me a good deal, and even better when there’s BOGO + 40/50% off coupon and such.
I’ve been getting 50% off consistently now that my account is expiring
Now I gotta get one delivered to work lol
We’re pretty close to it, but, the parking sucks around there. Anyway, I always thought it was just ok
A landmark. Always worth going when in the neighborhood
best
I'm being sent down that way for work training this week, I'll be getting a corner square for lunch.
Their regular slices are good too!
I silently chuckle to myself when people that look like tourists pull up and get a round slice. Also, the pistachio spumoni is something else.
The first time I went there I got some square and round slices to compare. The Sicilian is the best anywhere ever. The round slices are bad frozen food. Its amazing how one can be so good and one can be so bad. It reheats so well. Just get an extra pie foe the next week.
I catered my wedding with this pizza.
I don’t get the “inconsistent” comments, been going there for decades and never had a bad slice. I also think it heats up nicely if you throw the left overs in the oven
This guy L&B's. The leftover quality is half the reason to go
Outside slice on first day, middle slices for next-day leftovers 💯💯
I live 5 minutes away, I can't be unbiased, it's fucking amazing. Even after having eaten so many slices around the city and even the world, it's still fucking amazing.
Here’s the thing about L&B… if you’re craving pizza, L&B probably won’t scratch that itch. But if you’re in the mood for L&B, which you should be, oh man is that itch gonna get scratched.
L and B is good, but overrated and it used to be better. I still enjoy it occasionally but yea I think it’s overrated. It’s can sometimes be both soggy and burnt at the same time, a true paradox
I've had it a few times where the dough was undercooked. I think it's solid everyone once in a while. And while totally different, I think I prefer Roll N Roaster if I want something nostalgic.
I’ll never hate on RnR but there’s a high chance of it blowing up your stomach
These places are my south Brooklyn go tos
it's ok, I grew up in marine park and used to go there often enough and I don't think it's anything special
Same. Knapp st grandma slices are better IMO
Since I moved to queens though I haven’t found anything even approaching the mid slices in MP and gerritsen near me. But I can eat any cuisine from the planet in a mile distance so you win some you lose some I guess
I’m not overly familiar w queens pizza but whits end in rockaway and new park in Howard beach are both good
Used to frequent both of those when I lived in marine park but I’m in central queens now so might as well be the Bronx lol. I’m not looking for the best slice per se just a decent one in walking distance. So far been going to champions which is ok but not great
I enjoy their pizza fine, but their veal parm is where it’a at.
My favorite seafood salad. I feel healthy when I pair it with a slice while driving home on the belt.
Eggplant parm amazing too
My favorite! The food is also bomb 💣
The service in the restaurant is bomb, too. Very generous with extra dishes…
I love it
I love it
Must get the square not a plain slice and those who say it's undercooked might not understand the texture of the slice is meant to be similar to what might be an undercooked sliced. Also must get a spumoni as well
It’s great. It’s also the sugariest pizza I’ve ever had. I call it “birthday cake pizza”.
There’s nothing like it. They’re the best at what they do imo
It’s been inconsistent since the owners changed, however still a good slice. Just not as good as it used to be.
Worth the trek, worth the lines, worth the wait, worth the price.
Inconsistent used to be great.
I grew up in that 15min walk radius. After the new owners came in it’s never been the same. If I’m ever there these days, I usually pick John’s Deli (which is also inconsistent).
"The Original" John's Deli in Stillwell also got new owners maybe around ~10 years ago? There's 2 other locations at Dyker Heights and Staten Island. They share the same website and are affiliated with each other while "the original" has their own website. I have no clue if the other 2 location are better than "the original" at this point lol.
Had a pie yesterday and it was so bready.
I had it a few weeks ago and it tasted like Pizza Hut. Blech. I don't think it's been the same since the owner was murdered in that mob hit several years ago.
My friend was in the jury for that trial. It was wild
Shot in close range and the guy didn't even take the cash...pretty nuts.
Yeah I've had it half a dozen times since the ninties and it's worse every time I go. Too bready, sauce is weird and too sweet. I think it's nostalgic for people who grew up with it.
I love me some L&B. I actually like eating in the restaurant and having a square slice as a share thing as part of our apps
it's a unique slice but i loveeeeeeeee it
Love me some L&B!! Used to work down the block from that and Johns Deli. L&B is the shit man
The best but I have a core memory of dropping an extremely hot slice face-down on my white shirt when I was 6
I had it once in person, fresh pie and it was so mediocre, but the spumoni and vibes were v good. Someday when stars align i will give it a second shot
L&B rocks, not only out of their oven but even cold or on the reheat. Spumoni Gardens is amazing
Love it. Bonus for getting spumoni too
I walked from The LES to L&B in a blizzard once. It took us 6 hours. Completely worth it.
Crap, too doughy and barely any flavor
In my opinion the pizza is good, not great. But it’s the environment that makes it special. Sitting outside on a summer day, the place is mobbed with all sorts of people it’s just an awesome place to be. The spumoni is all ways the best part for me.
Great for when you want pizza but interpreted thru the lens of being a soup
Overrated to me, I get the nostalgia but the ingredients are so cheap
Used to be great. But when they changed owners it went downhill.
Spumoni is great, squares not so much anymore
L&B is my happy place man. Absolutely legendary spot.
Overrated
Similar to Di Fara, a NY “institution” that’s been resting on their laurels. It’s not that they’ve really gotten worse; the competition has gotten much better. Though I’d argue that Di Fara has never been that good to begin with.
Incredibly overrated
It is a hit or miss when you manage to get a pillowy dough and crunchy shell it is amazing silican pie. If not… it is pretty avg.
That looks so damn good
i prefer the upside down at pizza suprema
Yeah, Suprema might have the best upside down in the city. The original Rosa's in Maspeth is also a contender. Along with Spumoni, 3 best upside down slices i've had in NYC.
is the round worth trying?
Nostalgic for most of us who grew up around it, but objectively it's probably not the best Sicilian in NY. It's still pretty good though.
Best pizza, haven't had a chance to get to Brooklyn for years and I'm sad I haven't had it in awhile
The space is nice if you want to eat outside with a group. The pizza is good but if I'm going to travel 45 minutes I'd rather go somewhere exceptional.
I'll put their square pie up against any in NYC. Best pizza I've ever had
My favorite summer place. I will always love their food 😍
so fucking good
I can eat a half sheet by myself. If you don’t like it you’re nuts. Squares all day with a Spumoni to wash it down. That block in the summer at night, I can sit for hours eating pizza and just people watch.
Taste! Dont care about looks. TASTE!
When it's cooked fresh, and you're not waiting an hour for a pie, and also whoever made it knows what they're doing, it's heaven. And nothing else in New York can touch it. When you get a bad pie, it's disgusting mush that makes you question all of your life choices.
My whole family loves it even though we left Brooklyn they still go back for it. I don't get the hype.
Scacilian
It’s the best pizza in NYC. Is the correct answer.
I mean what’s there to say? It’s awesome
Nostalgic because it brings back good memories but honestly better square pizzas out there and normal slices. The sauce is a bit too sweet.
Omg I need that in nyc
Love it, haven’t had it in years as live in Australia, when their pizza comes up on my Insta feed, I get excited but then deflated that’s it’s so far away.
Been going on and off for years since I've moved to sheepshead bay, has been great at times, you do get some undercooked or burnt now and then but still holds it's flavor, usually toss in the toaster oven or air fryer for a bit, makes for great leftovers if you get a half or full tray, their spumoni ice still hits for a good treat, I switched to Krispy pizza lately on 13th Ave, their pesto roni has been my go to lately.
What’s this pizza called on the menu? Going to have to order this asap.
Probably unpopular opinion but I feel the dough is too dense and sometimes a little undercooked? Sauce is great though
I heard they went downhill. I used to get them all of the time and it was great but haven’t in the last year and a half
I’m from Queens and we sometimes do the 40 min drive just for that pizza. 10/10
Best square slice in NY
I was a last minute entry to their ice cream eating contest. Lost but ended up with a giant tub of spumoni that took up 2/3 of my freezer and had to lay on its side.
Damn good pizza! Brooklyn institution. And their homemade spumoni is amazing.
Alrdy commented but i just want to say its so great seeing other people from south bklyn, esp this far south! In a little further south but only about 8 min driving time.
i dont understand the hype to be honest. its good but its not amazing pizza
1000% used to be better, went there on Thursday and it wasn’t hitting
Now I need L&B!!!
When the pie comes right out of oven and the dough is on point no better
A fresh L&B corner slice is incredible. Their prices are just out of control. Especially when you factor in the stress of the belt parkway lol
who exactly owns this place? locals will swear the sauce tastes different because the arabs own it. but the news after that guy got shot was that he was the owner, it's been family owned since forever. and then you have that whole news about how the mob had to be involved to keep the secret recipe in Brooklyn.
born and raised in bay ridge. i think l&b is overrated and has gone down hill since i was a kid (born in ‘91). i still will get it a handful of times per year but it doesn’t do it for me anymore
I love them. Nostalgia wise and also when my dad was released from the hospital on Christmas Eve a few years ago unexpectedly they put together a whole feast for us on the fly and even delivered it.
That’s my old neighborhood and I really don’t care for it, it’s way too doughy for my liking. I’d just get a regular slice there why my friends enjoyed the squares. It’s also extremely expensive for pizza. The spumoni is awesome though.
Trash. I was so hyped for it when I tried it and it fell very short of expectations.
Expat who was introduced by colleague. Hands down one of my best pizza experiences also partly due to slight nostalgia of venturing to different part of the city
My mom grew up around the corner so I’ve been having this pizza my whole life. Now that everyone has moved away, whenever someone in my family goes they bring coolers and bring pizza and spumoni back for everyone. It is and always will be my favorite pizza place
I'm from Staten island so I know what new York pizza should taste like and this is exactly it. The sauce has the perfect texture and it's doesn't have an overpowering tomato flavor so it tastes sweet which is good. The thicc Sicilian squares are what they're know for and it's honestly the best in Brooklyn in my opinion.
really good food there, square pizza is a nice part of every meal i'd imagine during a meal there. Together we had four entrees, one square slice each. The penne with sauce, mmm mmm good. Had it with veal along with the square slice on the side. What a meal that was.
Mmm I love Little Caesars
Greatest ever and my favorite.
My wife and I made the trip coming back from the beach. It was alright. Nothing crazy.
I find them soggy and overly sweet
Went to L&B many times with groups pre-covid. Never thought it was so special. In the immortal words of Mediocrites; “eh, good enough.”
Had it a little while back. Bleh, no desire to try it ever again
Omg this looks so good
Good but not my favorite. My GF loves it.
Quality varies all over the place. Usually not crispy because it's been sitting there and they're too lazy to reheat it. The regular slices have dipped in quality for the last few years. Even when they cook a fresh regular pie, seems like nobody there even knows to do that right anymore. Their spumoni is still good and consistent.
I might be in the minority here but I like their round pies more than their squares Sometimes their squares have an odd taste to them.
Good for 1 or 2x a year
The sauce is too sweet but I will eat it lol
Well it's NOT overrated. I enjoyed it.
Not good. This was a couple years ago. The ice cream was good though.
Looovveeee it, but I’m a Brooklyn girl.
Overrated. Not worth the drive if you live in any of the other boroughs
Elite
Huge fan
Great pizza
Delicious
I find it nasty, too much parm it’s all you taste
Dirt
i've been once and i hope it was just an off day because it was not good. like, one of my least favorite pies i've had living here. i feel like it was the sauce, because the crust/bread was good. the spumone was great though that said, i need to go again some time because it has to be better than this
Shit slaps.
I think it's great.. but I wouldnt drive more than 30 minutes for it
So good!!
The most overrated place in nyc. Its hype is entirely nostalgia
Agreed
Not great. So many better pizzas out there.
Disgusting. Undercooked dough and burnt crust. There is barely any cheese, and the sauce is too sweet. Cheap pie. Of course, sheep mentality makes people go back.
I had it once and it was not good. Hoping it was an off day since I’ve heard so much hype about it
Overrated
It’s solid, if overrated. I think the atmosphere and history account for something.
I’m surprised they’re not selling chicken shawarma yet
Care to elaborate?