Forget Valentine's Day. We all know that the most romantic day in February is the 9th: National Pizza Day. Pizza is love. Pizza is life. And it would be a grave understatement to say that we here at Foodism are big pizza lovers. It doesn't matter whether it's 4 in the afternoon, or 4 in the morning, there's never a time of day where a fresh pizza isn't a welcome sight at Foodism HQ. There aren't many other types of food that can deliver the kind of melted cheese-induced ecstasy that follows biting into a slice so hot it kindles the skin off the roof of your mouth.
While we can agree that there's no better way to consummate one's passionate relationship with pizza than with a big old box of 'za on a Saturday night, as much as we're ashamed to admit it, sometimes a whole pizza can be a little bit too much to handle. An entire pie at lunch time is a one-way ticket to a tummy ache. The more sensible (and cost-efficient) option for a midday hit of San Marzano is, as hangry Brooklynites have known for decades, to purchase your pizza by the slice, instead.
The Big Smoke might not exactly be the Big Apple, but there are still an array of outlets slinging out handsomely large slices for that ideal grab-and-go experience. So, channel your inner New Yorker and pick up a slice at any of the following venues for the perfect pepperoni pick-me-up. Bon Appetit, baby. Bring a napkin and eat responsibly.
Voodoo Ray's
Various locations
Voodoo Ray's specialises in slinging out generous slices of its 22" New York-style pizzas at its Dalston, Peckham, and Boxpark premises. The real difference maker to Voodoo Ray's post and pre-drink food of the Gods is the provenance of the ingredients. Voodoo Ray's imports San Marzano tomatoes for its sauce, Caputo flour for its bases, and creamy buffalo and fior di latte mozzarellas for its cheese. Simply put: they care. And considering that two of their whopping slices are equivalent to a whole 11" pizza while being only a fraction of the price, so should you, too. Inclusion is also something else that's on the menu at Ray's. The plant-based Queen Vegan slice (artichoke hearts, green olives, red onion, sun-blush tomatoes, tomato sauce, and green sauce) means that no-one is left out of the action.
Four Corners
199-206 High Holborn, WC1V 7BD
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Less pizza by the slice, and more pizza by the square, Four Corners began its life as a three-month pop-up at Rondo La Cave in the basement of The Hoxton hotel Holborn, before returning to become a more permanent venture. Pizza legend Anthony Falco is behind these Detroit-style pies, and the menu is made up of banger after banger, although special attention has to be paid to the mortadella monstrosity. Featuring pistachio pesto, mounds of mortadella and creamy piles of burrata, it’s indulgence at its finest. Wash everything down with a wine from Rondo’s natty-heavy list of juicy drops.
Detroit pizza
75 Commercial Street, London E1 6BD
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Much like Four Corners, Detroit Pizza unsurprisingly specialises in deep dish pizzas, so expect enormous cubes of carbs and cheese – what more could you ask for? It’s likely your eyes may be bigger than your stomach, but don’t let these pies fool you, two slices will be enough to finish you off – and the whole pizza might just have you on the floor. While the whole menu is extensive, they serve just two pies by the slice – red stripe or pepperoni. Both are saucy, cheesy, and everything that is good in the world. Grab one to go, or pull up a quick pew and scoff it at the bar.
Joe Public
4 The Pavement, SW4 0HY
All the options are equally difficult to resist thanks to Joe Public's leopard-spotted sourdough bases.
All the options are equally difficult to resist thanks to Joe Public's leopard-spotted sourdough bases.
All the options are equally difficult to resist thanks to Joe Public's leopard-spotted sourdough bases.
All the options are equally difficult to resist thanks to Joe Public's leopard-spotted sourdough bases.
All the options are equally difficult to resist thanks to Joe Public's leopard-spotted sourdough bases.
Located next to Clapham Common underground, Joe Public is perfect for anyone looking to lessen the overwhelming terribleness of their lengthy commute home with a crisp wedge of Californian-style pizza. It's perfect for whether you're in the mood for a simple pepperoni or more recherché options like native mushrooms, crispy shallots, truffle oil, and parmesan on top of a cream chive base. In fact, all the options are equally difficult to resist thanks to Joe Public's leopard-spotted sourdough bases. That being said, gluten free pizzas are also knocking about the premises for the coeliacs among us. Prices start at £3.50 for a basic margherita slice with the price going up to a fiver for the more out-there offerings. Joe Public's signature slice n' soda offer (which runs between 12pm-3pm) nets you a lunch-time slice plus a can of pop for just £5.
Arancina
Various locations
New York isn't the only city in the world that specialises in pizza by-the-slice. Far from it, in fact. Hefty focaccia-like slices of the stuff have been bought and sold "al taglio" in large rectangular squares on the streets of Rome for as long as pizza has existed. While these slices might not have the same flavour profile as their cheesier New York cousins, there's a definite appeal to eating pizza alla pala from Arancina's burnt orange Fiat Cinquecento. The pizza slices here – freshly made and divvied into manageable hunks – are cooked in electric ovens at a super high heat on top of a scorching stone base. The result is a crisp pizza base with an addictively airy interior. So, do as the Romans do and give one of Arancina's London outposts a go. Simply part your way with £4.20, pick a slice of your choice from the rosticceria counter, close your eyes, bite down, and you'll be transported to the city Keats once called home. A truly Romantic experience.
Homeslice
Various locations
Perhaps the most prolific of London's by-the-slice outlets, Homeslice's six locations across the city prove its ever-growing popularity with everyone from ambitious bankers to the craft beer and industrial techno crowd. We can certainly vouch for the quality of Ry Jessup and Mark Wogan's beautiful mozzarella-mop-topped brainchild, having sampled our fair share of their giant wood-fired pizzas over the years. Order a 20" pizza to split between you and your homies or simply grab a £4 slice from a menu that includes the likes of ambitious spiced lamb, savoy cabbage, and sumac yoghurt-topped creations.
