PIZZA in New York: Zillions Pizza

I almost skipped over Zillions Pizza. While the old movie marquee and neon sign is rather inviting, the neighborhood it’s located in is not. Sandwiched right between Cannabis stores and behind Port Authority, this is not the most appetizing of blocks.

But I was trying to grab a quick bite before my bus and have actually heard good things about this place. And truthfully, if anywhere needs a quality pizzeria, it’s this weird corner of Midtown West.

The small takeout joint has a retro feel with a colorful display reminiscent of Two Boots. While the namesake Zillionaire was tempting with its combo of sausage, pepperoni, onions, and pepper, I wanted to keep it simple.

I ordered a plain cheese slice as quickly as possible (remember, I had a bus to catch) and took a second or two to appreciate the bite.

It actually was better than I expected. This is cheese-heavy with a barely visible slick of tomato sauce. It’s a really cheesy stretchy slice, but it had a salty tangy bite from pecorino, which was a nice surprise.

The browned dough was adequate and a nice base for the cheese. I admit this is a slice for the cheese fans (which I count myself one of) and those expecting a more balanced or tomato-heavy slice will be disappointed.

But all that being said, it’s a worthy slice in a neighborhood that is constantly screaming for good food.

Is Zillions Pizza the best pizza in NY? It’s far from the best with a lack of balance, but it’s made up for in a simple complexity and a satisfying cheesy experience. 7.5 out of 10.