FALAFEL PIZZA in New York: Traze Pizza

THE SPOT: Traze is actually a bit difficult to find despite being just a few blocks from the 7 train in Long Island City. It does not have your typical storefront, but looks like it’s inside someone’s apartment. I don’t need much from a pizza spot and there is a small seating area and the semi-hidden aspect is super fun. I was excited to try this spot because their pizzas are as unexpected as its locale.

THE STYLE: Most of the pizza here is in the shape and style of a grandma pizza, but the toppings on most of the speciality pies are not anything like an Italian nonna from Long Island would ever make. These remind me more of the stoner-esque toppings you would find at a place like Two Boots. Once you get past the Margherita, we’re talking pizzas like Pesto, Elote (creamy corn and herb lime sauce), BBQ Chicken Ranch, and the one slice I had to try: Falafel.

THE PIZZA: I knew there would be cross-over on this blog (I’ve had pickle ice cream!), but I was not expecting pizza and falafel to ever come together. In fairness, I’m not really focusing on the pizza here but on the fact that falafel pizza exists. I can’t say this really works as pizza or as falafel. It’s sort of its own thing and its pretty tasty, but also a real head scratcher. The sesame-crusted dough makes sense, but I’m not sure the choice of cheese does. Both cheddar and gouda seem unusual to go with falafel and Mediterranean flavors. They’re both a bit too strong and fight with the red onion and hot honey drizzled on top. The falafel itself almost feels like crumbled sausage but it’s light and thin without much crunch. This was certainly something to try, but it left me scratching my head more than wanting to run back and get a second slice.