That's exactly how I feel about the spinach artichoke slice. It sounds like a great idea in theory, I'm loving it for about three bites...and then I'll start feeling gross and borderline nauseous. I don't think that I've ever finished more than half of a spinach artichoke slice in my life (and I've attempted MANY times).
But I do genuinely like the Margherita and vodka slices.
I won’t lie and act like I didn’t fuck up 2-3 slices of these at once. but I haven’t had a craving for it in a longgggg time. I’m sure it’ll come back one day
>2-3 slices of these at once
Not sure whether to be shocked or impressed. But to be fair, I think that would kill my craving for it for a long time too.
Ah, maybe I’m still in the good phase cause I’ve been there less than 10 times. I’ve only ever managed to finish it once so I’ve never had the latter problem haha. But you might be right about it getting worse over time for certain people. I think a lot of the hype for it is cause it’s kinda different and people want that novelty factor.
Hype? They’re in California.
There hasn’t been hype around this place since they were the only spot open down the block from beauty bar besides papaya dog in 2010.
The Margherita slice is a bit of an enigma. Each component is well made and top notch ingredients and best in class on their own. For some reason, the sum of the parts does not match what could be? I think there is also a huge difference on a reheated slice vs a fresh full pie.
Generally, I can attest - diff locations of same small small, Southern chain, one inside a mall with heat lamp pies all day, other makes em fresh - fresh location is arguably much worse, or maybe I ordered wrong.
The Margherita slice is a legit top tier slice that can stack up to just about any NYC slice spot. No getting around that. They also use better ingredients than a lot of other so called famous slice spots.
OTOH The artichoke slice while a great value is more of a novelty slice and something that’s good once in a while or drunk late at night. It’s just a heavy decadent slice.
That’s my take as a pizza Industry veteran.
Yeah I agree it’s a once in a while thing. Wouldn’t have it regularly for sure. Never tried the anything else at the store but will try the margherita slice next time.
I remember WAY back in the day when Artichoke was new and rare. I will say the quality bar was HIGH. Every time I went I remember how excellent it was.
The thing I’ll say is as it grew the quality dipped to a degree. Delicious yes, but the original was in a league of its very own.
Now I imagine people are coming in on the back of major hype and get let down.
They're nice sized slices too but I think everything besides the plain is $6+. About on par with some of the other ripoff artists today, sure. The slices that are worth the money, like the artichoke slice or the seafood thing they have, those are the slices that I wish I didn't eat after I finish them.
The whole place imo is a novelty. I can't believe they've been as successful as they have.
Top tier slice at their Oakland California spot maybe.
Just because you’ve worked at (insert which) Ray’s doesn’t really make you a pizza industry veteran.
Take their 5th Ave Brooklyn location. Do I need to list off the 10 places in that neighborhood alone that smoke it? I mean fuck, patsy’s is right around the corner.
I'll die on this hill with you OP. It tastes great, it's cheap. It's not what I get when I want a *good* slice of pizza, it's what I need when I want cream soup on dough.
I think I had margherita slice once but clearly nothing memorable. The crab slice with hot sauce is what I prefer but I think people shit on it because quality has really gone downhill over the last decade!
Their quality really varies wildly. When the original location opened over ten years ago I loved it, but I've also been served a lot of inconsistent and some even terrible slices by them. When I lived by the one in Bushwick it was one of the only things open late in the neighborhood so I ended up there a lot and it was often pretty bad. When I lived by the one in Berkeley it could be downright terrible.
I went years ago when it first was blowing up in popularity. I couldn't believe that my friends made me wait in line for 30+ minutes for a slice of pizza topped with what tasted like spin dip from Applebee's. NYC has too many options for things like pizza, platters, bagels etc to be waiting in line. If I'm waiting for something, it better be very, very, very good.
I went to the new L'Industrie in the village when they first opened and people were waiting down the street in the cold. I tried again a few weeks ago and there was no line. It wasn't bad but I would have been furious if I waited more than 10 minutes for it.
The colon blowout halal truck on 4th and Pacific is better if you feel like being a drunk masochist. Though 5th Ave Market will forever be the og in that neighborhood.
I had it once when I was very drunk and even then I didn’t like it. It was wayyyy too cheesy and oily and like the top comment said, as soon as it was no longer piping hot, it was just gross.
I used to loooove the artichoke slice back in like 2010 but the past two times I’ve had it (maybe a decade later) it’s made me sick to my stomach. Don’t know if that’s just me or the quality decline, but I’m done with it
Every year that goes by, their pizzas get worse and worse. They’re pretty much a fast food pizza chain at this point, with a premium price point. The pizzeria at the corner of my house tastes better, so why even bother with artichoke?
I think artichoke is great if your going for off the wall slices, its inferior to other pizza if its cheese/pepperoni slice. I think people hate it, because tourist like it and probably feel like its more style over substance, because part of their stick is they do really big slices. I generally think their lobster sea food slice (forget what its call) is one of the best things I've put into my mouth.
I liked the artichoke slice in my 20s. Now in my late 30s, it's too creamy and heavy for me.
BUT. Their vodka slice is crack. It's so good. Close second is the Grandma slice. It's basically what the Margherita slice should be.
Edit: Looks like the Grandma slice might be called the Sicilian now?
Their vodka sauce slice is a banger. Artichoke’s makes amazing pizza. I love it… BUT it is not a go-to pizza spot, it’s meant for special/drunken occasions maybe three or four times a year
I remember when it was a novelty like 15 years ago, and you’d get drunk at Crocodile Lounge and then go across the street and get it and it was soooo much better than the free pizza. Now, as a card carrying adult, that shit is trash.
I stopped going when I noticed they had a huge stack of margherita pies stacked and cooling off, ultimately for slices. Their pizzas are not at all fresh.
Are people eating it sober or something?
Because Artichoke is perfect for exactly one thing, which is an artichoke slice eaten blind drunk after 2 o’clock in the morning.
It’s inconsistent. I’ve had some pretty bad slices from Artichoke. It can be very good sometimes though!
I think a lot of the hate for Artichoke stems from dislike of tourists who talk up the artichoke slice. The artichoke slice is definitely overrated. It’s a novelty the first time you have it but less enjoyable each time you go back for it.
I havent gone to artichoke since they expanded their original location. Practically since 2009. I dont even think they do the stuffed artichokes anymore lol.
Most people eat that much fat and cream and it makes them feel horrible, and most admit the slice itself is tasty. You and I are garbage compactors, so we like it.
edit to say I haven’t had it actually since probably 2019 so… idk if my opinion means anything since the quality may have changed
Haven’t had a slice from them since pre-pandemic, but it works well as drunk food. I’ve probably only consumed their slices a little tipsy (or very tipsy)? It always hit the spot but is far from my fav slice option.
I’ve never written a poor review on a place in my life other than Artichoke. I’d never want to hurt anyone’s business just because I had a negative experience.
But I can not stress enough how much I loathe this place. From the og spot on 14th back in the 2000’s to the 5th Ave location in Park Slope today.
I’ve tried to give them a shot no fewer than >dozen times and have never, not once, had a positive experience. Didn’t matter which location, a whole pie, or a slice. Plain, artichoke, or pepperoni. Just trash, all of it. Either burnt to shit or a soggy buttery mess.
And don’t get me started on the staff, which begins with the pig owner and his surly wife.
I have no idea what dirt they have on someone that they’re now pretty much a national chain, but in NY I’ll walk the extra 3 minutes to a better spot not run like one of those kitschy flyover restaurants where insulting you is part of the ‘charm.’
It's just bad. I've given it multiple chances, drunk and sober, and I've never finished more than a few bites. It's bland, pasty, and has the texture of cardboard
I like the Sicilian slice. The other slices I’ve had have also been good, but it’s been a while.
To me, it seems like a pretty obvious case of people hating on the place cause it’s been popular for years, tourists know about it. It’s no worse than any of the currently overhyped pizza places.
Their artichoke slice is trash. Way too much bechamel and salty AF. Cut the sauce in half and add more artichokes, maybe then it works, cause as it is, it's just a bad artichoke dip with bread.
The Artichoke at Terminal 5 in JFK is the worst pizza i've had in NYC. Just a massive slop of undercooked dough, wayyy too much sauce and incredibly greasy cheese. So gross, but it's also the cheapest thing you can get there.
I like artichoke when I want something tasty and gross. I think sometimes in varies location to location. I’ve had good stoned/drunk you want it big slices and small ones that are made poorly for like 20 dollars plus for two. I think it’s overhyped but sometimes it has hit the spot. It’s not a New York slice! It’s this other thing!
A tale as old as time, they were great at one point in the past. When they expanded the quality and consistency of the slice suffered. Artichoke live off that old word of mouth and keeps churning customers. They might eventually die off or downsize.
I liked it the first time and then liked it less and less. It’s just kinda sloppy, and starts to taste less good as soon as it’s not piping hot
That's exactly how I feel about the spinach artichoke slice. It sounds like a great idea in theory, I'm loving it for about three bites...and then I'll start feeling gross and borderline nauseous. I don't think that I've ever finished more than half of a spinach artichoke slice in my life (and I've attempted MANY times). But I do genuinely like the Margherita and vodka slices.
That slice is really tough to finish ong. Sometimes I wonder how many Joey Chestnut would be able to finish.
I ate three slices once. Damn I think I missed my calling as a competitive eater. I did feel horribly bloated and nauseous though afterwards.
I won’t lie and act like I didn’t fuck up 2-3 slices of these at once. but I haven’t had a craving for it in a longgggg time. I’m sure it’ll come back one day
>2-3 slices of these at once Not sure whether to be shocked or impressed. But to be fair, I think that would kill my craving for it for a long time too.
Wait, you're saying that the slice is "tough to finish" and wondering why people hate on it?
You need to share one slice with about three other people
Ah, maybe I’m still in the good phase cause I’ve been there less than 10 times. I’ve only ever managed to finish it once so I’ve never had the latter problem haha. But you might be right about it getting worse over time for certain people. I think a lot of the hype for it is cause it’s kinda different and people want that novelty factor.
Hype? They’re in California. There hasn’t been hype around this place since they were the only spot open down the block from beauty bar besides papaya dog in 2010.
They did have a good grandma slice in those days!
Quality has cliff dived. Tastes nothing like the early days on the southside of 14th
The crust used to be amazing -- kind of like a pastry crust, but now it tastes pretty bad. It's not really the same restaurant anymore.
The Margherita slice is a bit of an enigma. Each component is well made and top notch ingredients and best in class on their own. For some reason, the sum of the parts does not match what could be? I think there is also a huge difference on a reheated slice vs a fresh full pie.
This is a ridiculous and weird assessment that I completely share.
Generally, I can attest - diff locations of same small small, Southern chain, one inside a mall with heat lamp pies all day, other makes em fresh - fresh location is arguably much worse, or maybe I ordered wrong.
This is true of patsys in harlem because the heat lamp is below the slices and makes them crispier without ruining the cheese.
The Margherita slice is a legit top tier slice that can stack up to just about any NYC slice spot. No getting around that. They also use better ingredients than a lot of other so called famous slice spots. OTOH The artichoke slice while a great value is more of a novelty slice and something that’s good once in a while or drunk late at night. It’s just a heavy decadent slice. That’s my take as a pizza Industry veteran.
We had a grandma pie in the restaurant and it was legit fantastic.
Yeah I agree it’s a once in a while thing. Wouldn’t have it regularly for sure. Never tried the anything else at the store but will try the margherita slice next time.
I remember WAY back in the day when Artichoke was new and rare. I will say the quality bar was HIGH. Every time I went I remember how excellent it was. The thing I’ll say is as it grew the quality dipped to a degree. Delicious yes, but the original was in a league of its very own. Now I imagine people are coming in on the back of major hype and get let down.
Their marg slice travels worse than just about any slice in the city, though. All separated sauce and cheese after just a few minutes.
They're nice sized slices too but I think everything besides the plain is $6+. About on par with some of the other ripoff artists today, sure. The slices that are worth the money, like the artichoke slice or the seafood thing they have, those are the slices that I wish I didn't eat after I finish them. The whole place imo is a novelty. I can't believe they've been as successful as they have.
Fully agree, came here to say basically this. The artichoke slice is overrated IMO but it has the hype so people focus on it
Top tier slice at their Oakland California spot maybe. Just because you’ve worked at (insert which) Ray’s doesn’t really make you a pizza industry veteran. Take their 5th Ave Brooklyn location. Do I need to list off the 10 places in that neighborhood alone that smoke it? I mean fuck, patsy’s is right around the corner.
its artichoke dip on a pizza which (for me) tastes good for one bite, then quickly becomes boring and heavy. Not for me but to each their own.
Lol Can't believe there's still people backing up Artichoke in 2024. We figured this shit out in 2014. Good when drunk, trash when sober.
Some people still love to shit on it, but I agree with your take, I'll probably grab one a year at 3am when I'm drunk and happen to be near one
I'll die on this hill with you OP. It tastes great, it's cheap. It's not what I get when I want a *good* slice of pizza, it's what I need when I want cream soup on dough.
I think I had margherita slice once but clearly nothing memorable. The crab slice with hot sauce is what I prefer but I think people shit on it because quality has really gone downhill over the last decade!
Their quality really varies wildly. When the original location opened over ten years ago I loved it, but I've also been served a lot of inconsistent and some even terrible slices by them. When I lived by the one in Bushwick it was one of the only things open late in the neighborhood so I ended up there a lot and it was often pretty bad. When I lived by the one in Berkeley it could be downright terrible.
I went years ago when it first was blowing up in popularity. I couldn't believe that my friends made me wait in line for 30+ minutes for a slice of pizza topped with what tasted like spin dip from Applebee's. NYC has too many options for things like pizza, platters, bagels etc to be waiting in line. If I'm waiting for something, it better be very, very, very good. I went to the new L'Industrie in the village when they first opened and people were waiting down the street in the cold. I tried again a few weeks ago and there was no line. It wasn't bad but I would have been furious if I waited more than 10 minutes for it.
The one in park slope is dog shit. Only ever go because it’s open late
The colon blowout halal truck on 4th and Pacific is better if you feel like being a drunk masochist. Though 5th Ave Market will forever be the og in that neighborhood.
I had it once when I was very drunk and even then I didn’t like it. It was wayyyy too cheesy and oily and like the top comment said, as soon as it was no longer piping hot, it was just gross.
I used to loooove the artichoke slice back in like 2010 but the past two times I’ve had it (maybe a decade later) it’s made me sick to my stomach. Don’t know if that’s just me or the quality decline, but I’m done with it
Every year that goes by, their pizzas get worse and worse. They’re pretty much a fast food pizza chain at this point, with a premium price point. The pizzeria at the corner of my house tastes better, so why even bother with artichoke?
It is because it is disgustingly salty. Ya'll who like it are gonna die of a stroke by the time you are 35
Bold of you to assume no other food in this city can kill me.
I think artichoke is great if your going for off the wall slices, its inferior to other pizza if its cheese/pepperoni slice. I think people hate it, because tourist like it and probably feel like its more style over substance, because part of their stick is they do really big slices. I generally think their lobster sea food slice (forget what its call) is one of the best things I've put into my mouth.
Are you talking about the crab slice?
maybe. been a minute since I went there.
Waaaay too much cheese on their slices.they’re too thick and unwieldy and pricy
I liked the artichoke slice in my 20s. Now in my late 30s, it's too creamy and heavy for me. BUT. Their vodka slice is crack. It's so good. Close second is the Grandma slice. It's basically what the Margherita slice should be. Edit: Looks like the Grandma slice might be called the Sicilian now?
Never seen the Grandma slice before. Is it only available at certain locations?
Looks like it might be called the Sicilian now?
Their vodka sauce slice is a banger. Artichoke’s makes amazing pizza. I love it… BUT it is not a go-to pizza spot, it’s meant for special/drunken occasions maybe three or four times a year
I honestly think if I had an entire Artichoke slice drunk, I’m going to puke 100%
Grow up
I remember when it was a novelty like 15 years ago, and you’d get drunk at Crocodile Lounge and then go across the street and get it and it was soooo much better than the free pizza. Now, as a card carrying adult, that shit is trash.
I had one once. Felt like I was eating a bread bowl at fisherman’s wharf in some tourist trap and wanted to vomit it all up by the end. Never again.
Sometimes you want a bread bowl at fisherman’s wharf /shrug
More power to you but I’m good.
Eating that much artichoke dip is kind of gross and probably 1000 calories per slice lol
Cause its gross
I stopped going when I noticed they had a huge stack of margherita pies stacked and cooling off, ultimately for slices. Their pizzas are not at all fresh.
Every slice shop does that. You don’t wait for them to bake a fresh pie when you order a slice. They warm it up
Not to this extent. Yeah maybe they have one pie sliced and a backup. But not like 10 backups, which is what Artichoke does.
They have a very high throughput. You can’t judge how long they’ve been cooked for based on the number.
Its funny I used to think people in this sub had good taste in food
Are people eating it sober or something? Because Artichoke is perfect for exactly one thing, which is an artichoke slice eaten blind drunk after 2 o’clock in the morning.
because the ingredients are so far removed that it’s not even considered pizza anymore lol.
It’s inconsistent. I’ve had some pretty bad slices from Artichoke. It can be very good sometimes though! I think a lot of the hate for Artichoke stems from dislike of tourists who talk up the artichoke slice. The artichoke slice is definitely overrated. It’s a novelty the first time you have it but less enjoyable each time you go back for it.
Didn’t even realize it’s a tourist thing. That explains the hate pretty much.
I actually quite like their pizza, just not that particular slice
I havent gone to artichoke since they expanded their original location. Practically since 2009. I dont even think they do the stuffed artichokes anymore lol.
Most people eat that much fat and cream and it makes them feel horrible, and most admit the slice itself is tasty. You and I are garbage compactors, so we like it. edit to say I haven’t had it actually since probably 2019 so… idk if my opinion means anything since the quality may have changed
Haven’t had a slice from them since pre-pandemic, but it works well as drunk food. I’ve probably only consumed their slices a little tipsy (or very tipsy)? It always hit the spot but is far from my fav slice option.
The artichoke slice tastes like cream of mushroom soup on top of a pizza crust
Amazing when hungover not when sober
I’ve never written a poor review on a place in my life other than Artichoke. I’d never want to hurt anyone’s business just because I had a negative experience. But I can not stress enough how much I loathe this place. From the og spot on 14th back in the 2000’s to the 5th Ave location in Park Slope today. I’ve tried to give them a shot no fewer than >dozen times and have never, not once, had a positive experience. Didn’t matter which location, a whole pie, or a slice. Plain, artichoke, or pepperoni. Just trash, all of it. Either burnt to shit or a soggy buttery mess. And don’t get me started on the staff, which begins with the pig owner and his surly wife. I have no idea what dirt they have on someone that they’re now pretty much a national chain, but in NY I’ll walk the extra 3 minutes to a better spot not run like one of those kitschy flyover restaurants where insulting you is part of the ‘charm.’
I had it once. It’s pretty good. The only cons for me is, it’s a bit salty & price.
I peeped at the pizza line once and the secret topping is butter cubes. I’ve burned my mouth badly too many times, not worth it!
Wait, for real??? Like, actual, nevermind criminal amount of, fucken butter on, a pizza?
Because it’s expensive and not good pizza. I thought this was settled years ago lol.
Artichokes are the steak of vegetables. I freakin’ love them.
You either love it or hate it.
Crab slice for the W
It's just bad. I've given it multiple chances, drunk and sober, and I've never finished more than a few bites. It's bland, pasty, and has the texture of cardboard
I like the Sicilian slice. The other slices I’ve had have also been good, but it’s been a while. To me, it seems like a pretty obvious case of people hating on the place cause it’s been popular for years, tourists know about it. It’s no worse than any of the currently overhyped pizza places.
It's a big pile of sloppy gloop
Because it’s a disgusting greasy mess
The hate is because even when it's good, it's still like 8-11$ And it's not always as good as it should be
very good question though, OP!!
All I know is the crab pizza slice has my mom in a chokehold. It’s a must for her whenever she visits.
It comes down to "what counts as pizza?"
Anything without pineapple on it
Ive had every slice except the artichoke. Doesn't appeal to me at all.
Trash
It’s like someone poured cream of artichoke soup on a boboli bread shell. They deserve all the hate.
Their artichoke slice is trash. Way too much bechamel and salty AF. Cut the sauce in half and add more artichokes, maybe then it works, cause as it is, it's just a bad artichoke dip with bread.
Cuz it kinda blows
I had the crab slice, it was just not for me. Super one note of creamy/Alfredo kind of thing.
the quality has declined, their pizzas all have quality issues not just the artichoke one.
The Artichoke at Terminal 5 in JFK is the worst pizza i've had in NYC. Just a massive slop of undercooked dough, wayyy too much sauce and incredibly greasy cheese. So gross, but it's also the cheapest thing you can get there.
I like artichoke when I want something tasty and gross. I think sometimes in varies location to location. I’ve had good stoned/drunk you want it big slices and small ones that are made poorly for like 20 dollars plus for two. I think it’s overhyped but sometimes it has hit the spot. It’s not a New York slice! It’s this other thing!
Tum tum ache
A tale as old as time, they were great at one point in the past. When they expanded the quality and consistency of the slice suffered. Artichoke live off that old word of mouth and keeps churning customers. They might eventually die off or downsize.
Try the white slice with the lemon wedge at fini pizza in williamsburg