FARK.com: (7025781) The best proof that there is a God -- the NYC pizza price war

If you can read this, either the style sheet didn't load or you have an older browser that doesn't support style sheets. Try clearing your browser cache and refreshing the page.

		The best proof that there is a God -- the NYC pizza price war (nytimes.com)		78
		More: Cool, god, Avenue of the Americas, bros, Town privileges

• • •

10398 clicks; posted to Main » on 31 Mar 2012 at 3:58 PM | Favorite | share:

Share this link:

URL:

http://fark.com/go/7025781

Bookmark:

Article Comments close

78 Comments (+0 »)

View Voting Results: Smartest and Funniest

Archived thread

First | « | 1 | 2 | » | Last | Show all

jehovahs witness protection		2012-03-31 01:13:44 PM

I'll stay in America and order Papa John's.

LandStander		2012-03-31 01:53:40 PM

Ave of the Americas? No one calls it that, it's 6th Ave.

downstairs		2012-03-31 02:09:56 PM

So in a city where people are willing to pay like $8000/month to rent a closet... pennies matter when ordering pizza?

dudemanbro		2012-03-31 02:39:28 PM

downstairs: So in a city where people are willing to pay like $8000/month to rent a closet... pennies matter when ordering pizza?

That's what I was thinking.

DamnYankees		2012-03-31 02:40:40 PM

downstairs: So in a city where people are willing to pay like $8000/month to rent a closet... pennies matter when ordering pizza?

No one is paying that much in rent unless you really, really rich.

Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener		2012-03-31 02:47:41 PM

I saw this on 1000 Ways to Die, but with cheesesteaks instead of pizza... and just a tad more calamitous misfortune.

FreakinB		2012-03-31 03:47:22 PM

It seemed to start a few years ago when I was finishing college and it's just exploded since. There's even a dollar burger place by Port Authority, whose very existence frightens me.

downstairs: So in a city where people are willing to pay like $8000/month to rent a closet... pennies matter when ordering pizza?

First of all, while rent is outrageous it's not nearly *that* outrageous. Second of all, it's not like there's only one economic class.

cameroncrazy1984		2012-03-31 03:53:27 PM

Meh, I'll spend $2 on a Papaya Dog.

mudesi		2012-03-31 03:59:54 PM

Chicago style is still better.

urger		2012-03-31 04:00:57 PM

LandStander: Ave of the Americas? No one calls it that, it's 6th Ave.

Came for this. Leaving happy.

mudesi		2012-03-31 04:02:45 PM

downstairs: So in a city where people are willing to pay like $8000/month to rent a closet... pennies matter when ordering pizza?

You just answered WHY people are willing to spend that much on rent. Cheap pizza, hookers, and beer all within walking distance.

insertsnarkyusername		2012-03-31 04:03:31 PM

cameroncrazy1984: Meh, I'll spend $2 on a Papaya Dog.

This, and there will still be a huge line during lunch.

Party-sized bucket of flan		2012-03-31 04:05:37 PM

They said that 2 Bros. was trying to drive them out of business, that 2 Bros., unprovoked, slashed the price to 75 cents, forcing them to follow, that things were miserable, that Ramanlal Patel has serious kidney problems, that property in India had to be sold to keep the place going.

That's the most whine I've ever seen packed into one sentence.

Gough		2012-03-31 04:09:27 PM

mudesi: Chicago style is still better.

I was waiting for someone to point this out.

Even if they gave it away for free, it would still be new-york-style pizza, so it's hardly a big deal.

/actually don't care either way, but it's fun to watch the arguments.

gsexygreg		2012-03-31 04:12:32 PM

Excuse me for my lack of confidence in pizza made by Mr. Patel

ExcaliburPrime111		2012-03-31 04:13:52 PM

Party-sized bucket of flan: They said that 2 Bros. was trying to drive them out of business, that 2 Bros., unprovoked, slashed the price to 75 cents, forcing them to follow, that things were miserable, that Ramanlal Patel has serious kidney problems, that property in India had to be sold to keep the place going.

That's the most whine I've ever seen packed into one sentence.

The full article also shows that they were lying, as that establishment started the price war by slashing its pizza slice prices to $0.79 first.

Not that any of this matters - in a week or two they will both realize that the price is unsustainable and go back to $1/slice. In the meantime, let the consumer reap the benefits!

AMonkey'sUncle		2012-03-31 04:14:39 PM

Staten Island Ferry Terminal, Manhattan side, 70s & 80s. No other came close then or since.

All your slice are belong to them.

brantgoose		2012-03-31 04:25:12 PM

Where was your God when I was in New York City, then? Bwa, bwa, bwa!

Well, I didn't actually get out of the car.

But techically I was in New York City. There was nothing but black people for miles and miles. It was like being in Nairobi on a Sunday afternoon. I saw the Statue of Liberty from far away, and Hell from much closer.

Bits of the Bronx are like a page out of a Gustave Doré-illustrated Dante's Inferno. Eventually my Father stopped and asked for directions at a filling station and we found our way to New Jersey. Bits of which are worse than Gustave Doré's illustrations for the Inferno. Not to mention the Purgatorio.

Tax Boy		2012-03-31 04:29:54 PM

I'm looking forward to a slice at World-Famous Original Ray's Pizza, not that knock-off Original Famous Ray's Pizza or the upstart Ray's Original Famous Pizza, or poseur Famous Original Ray's Pizza.

/you are in a maze of tasty pizzas, all alike

twiztedjustin		2012-03-31 04:32:46 PM

Because a place I would never be caught dead is having a price war on nasty pizza, that should make me stop being an Atheist?

So confused.

Day_Old_Dutchie		2012-03-31 04:33:03 PM

Isn't this how the so-called "free market" is supposed to work?

Not like other businesses where they raise prices in lock-step and create totally artificial shortages, then out-and-out lie that they are not colluding?

Trafficguy2000		2012-03-31 04:34:59 PM

Or even Pizza Ray's Famous Orignial!!

love_alice		2012-03-31 04:36:30 PM

Clearly neither place is italian.

If they were, their differences would be resolved in a spectacularly different way.

And no, it's never called "avenue of the americas" except by the tourists.

DamnYankees		2012-03-31 04:38:17 PM

Day_Old_Dutchie: Isn't this how the so-called "free market" is supposed to work?

Not really. If one of these parties is engaging in loss-leading, that's anti-competitive behavior and counter to free market ideals.

medanzig		2012-03-31 04:46:02 PM

2 bros is sketchy. Not their pizza but their business. There's one near my work and it mysteriously lit aflame one night. I don't know what they claim it was but it sure smells like insurance fraud to me. The place after 5 months is back but much much nicer and with the same staff. They must be making big pizza money if they can do that.

ows		2012-03-31 04:51:15 PM

jehovahs witness protection: I'll stay in America and order Papa John's

i know you're kidding, but, seriuosly, pappa johns sucks donkey balls. for some unknown reason, there's a hungry howies near me that make's an excellent pizza. it's not because the female owner is cute, but she must sprinkle yummy dust on her pizzas. the crust is uneven and bubbly, great sauce,chees,pepperonni. i get it baked well done, which helps, but seriuosly it's a great pie.

PlNG		2012-03-31 04:51:42 PM

At 2.75 a slice, please come the fark to Long Island, pizza price war. Sort of beginning to miss pizza night since Gino's (new window) has struck top 3 in the past 3 years and has been using it as an excuse to jack prices up and expand. Very nearly $20 a large pie without a coupon now.

FreakinB		2012-03-31 04:58:10 PM

PlNG: At 2.75 a slice, please come the fark to Long Island, pizza price war. Sort of beginning to miss pizza night since Gino's (new window) has struck top 3 in the past 3 years and has been using it as an excuse to jack prices up and expand. Very nearly $20 a large pie without a coupon now.

La Piazza. Merrick and Plainview. Buffalo chicken pizza. Not cheap and obviously not regular pizza, but holy shiat.

Overall I tend to like the pizza in Brooklyn and Long Island better than the pizza in Manhattan, but Manhattan does have a few standouts.

Government Fromage		2012-03-31 04:59:01 PM

Thanks, now I'm hungry for pizza.

RedPhoenix122		2012-03-31 04:59:58 PM

DamnYankees: Not really. If one of these parties is engaging in loss-leading, that's anti-competitive behavior and counter to free market ideals.

Yes and no. Usually Loss leading is to upsell another product, in this case, breadsticks or soda. However, it's possible it's also to drive out competition, so it varies from case to case.

NYCNative		2012-03-31 05:01:45 PM

I think that I can buy a whole pie at those prices for the price of one slice at DiFara in Brooklyn. And I would too. Rather have the best than the cheapest...

NYCNative		2012-03-31 05:03:53 PM

That read badly... I am on my phone. But to clarify, I will take the $6 DiFara slice.

downtownkid		2012-03-31 05:05:44 PM

FreakinB: PlNG: At 2.75 a slice, please come the fark to Long Island, pizza price war. Sort of beginning to miss pizza night since Gino's (new window) has struck top 3 in the past 3 years and has been using it as an excuse to jack prices up and expand. Very nearly $20 a large pie without a coupon now.

La Piazza. Merrick and Plainview. Buffalo chicken pizza. Not cheap and obviously not regular pizza, but holy shiat.

Overall I tend to like the pizza in Brooklyn and Long Island better than the pizza in Manhattan, but Manhattan does have a few standouts.

A few standouts?

Motorino
Lombardi's
Johns
Keste
Patsy's
Ko
Joe's
Veloce

Are all spectacular

Dead for Tax Reasons		2012-03-31 05:06:40 PM

No mention of quality though.at that price they must be using sawdust and wallpaper paste

Hagenhatesyouall		2012-03-31 05:07:25 PM

Day_Old_Dutchie: Isn't this how the so-called "free market" is supposed to work?

Not like other businesses where they raise prices in lock-step and create totally artificial shortages, then out-and-out lie that they are not colluding?

No way!

The government is supposed to step in and pass a law saying that everyone must buy the $.75 pizza. Then, they'll tax the shyte out of everyone and give that money to themselves, their campaign contributors and any company willing to pay for the privilege of offering government subsidized pizza at $.75 a slice.

Eventually, pizza by the slice will resemble a stale cracker with a bit of catsup and cheese wizz, but at least it will still be $.75.

Stjohnixx		2012-03-31 05:08:32 PM

No self-respecting NYer would go to Papaya Dog... Go to Gray's Papaya for the recession special.

FreakinB		2012-03-31 05:09:14 PM

downtownkid: FreakinB: PlNG: At 2.75 a slice, please come the fark to Long Island, pizza price war. Sort of beginning to miss pizza night since Gino's (new window) has struck top 3 in the past 3 years and has been using it as an excuse to jack prices up and expand. Very nearly $20 a large pie without a coupon now.

La Piazza. Merrick and Plainview. Buffalo chicken pizza. Not cheap and obviously not regular pizza, but holy shiat.

Overall I tend to like the pizza in Brooklyn and Long Island better than the pizza in Manhattan, but Manhattan does have a few standouts.

A few standouts?

Motorino
Lombardi's
Johns
Keste
Patsy's
Ko
Joe's
Veloce

Are all spectacular

Haven't been to all of those but agreed on the ones that I have been to. But given the number of pizza places in Manhattan, that still qualifies as "a few standouts."

bgflores		2012-03-31 05:10:03 PM

wambu		2012-03-31 05:11:34 PM

It tastes better if it's free.

/like beer
//and watermelon

DarwiOdrade		2012-03-31 05:12:57 PM

No, silly, the price of pizza is just evolving.

FreakinB		2012-03-31 05:13:28 PM

bgflores: PlNG: At 2.75 a slice, please come the fark to Long Island, pizza price war. Sort of beginning to miss pizza night since Gino's (new window) has struck top 3 in the past 3 years and has been using it as an excuse to jack prices up and expand. Very nearly $20 a large pie without a coupon now.

Umberto's in New Hyde Park is $2.25 a slice, if I'm not mistaken.

Umberto's is amazing. My summer job in high school was walking distance and it was an absolute godsend. They've got a few other locations too, I know there's one in Bellmore that opened only a few months back.

dumbobruni		2012-03-31 05:16:08 PM

i now have a craving for ziti pizza.

thanks fark :(

downtownkid		2012-03-31 05:18:26 PM

FreakinB: downtownkid: FreakinB: PlNG: At 2.75 a slice, please come the fark to Long Island, pizza price war. Sort of beginning to miss pizza night since Gino's (new window) has struck top 3 in the past 3 years and has been using it as an excuse to jack prices up and expand. Very nearly $20 a large pie without a coupon now.

La Piazza. Merrick and Plainview. Buffalo chicken pizza. Not cheap and obviously not regular pizza, but holy shiat.

Overall I tend to like the pizza in Brooklyn and Long Island better than the pizza in Manhattan, but Manhattan does have a few standouts.

A few standouts?

Motorino
Lombardi's
Johns
Keste
Patsy's
Ko
Joe's
Veloce

Are all spectacular

Haven't been to all of those but agreed on the ones that I have been to. But given the number of pizza places in Manhattan, that still qualifies as "a few standouts."

Well, I wasn't counting per capita, but fair enough. I also neglected a few other greats, probably because they are all in my neighborhood so I take them for granted:

Lil Frankie's
Two Boots
Luzzo's

freewill		2012-03-31 05:20:28 PM

mudesi: You just answered WHY people are willing to spend that much on rent. Cheap pizza, hookers, and beer all within walking distance.

That would be a solid point if NY pizza wasn't cardboard marinated in grease. At 75 cents, they're using cardboard they found in an alley.

maramos		2012-03-31 05:22:42 PM

medanzig: 2 bros is sketchy. Not their pizza but their business. There's one near my work and it mysteriously lit aflame one night. I don't know what they claim it was but it sure smells like insurance fraud to me. The place after 5 months is back but much much nicer and with the same staff. They must be making big pizza money if they can do that.

If you're talking about the one on 46th the fire started in the office above them.

ArcadianRefugee		2012-03-31 05:23:41 PM

I am going to be in NY next weekend, so this is relevant to my interests.

Rip Dashrock		2012-03-31 05:40:18 PM

There is only one pizza, the pizza of my childhood. Made the dough, poured on the can of "sauce" topped off with the package of "cheese" and baked.
I thought it was made by Kraft, but Chef Boyardee was all that Bing images could find.

i340.photobucket.com

superdude72		2012-03-31 05:42:44 PM

These places are complying with labor laws... right?

TheTurtle		2012-03-31 05:48:42 PM

I was in 2 Bros. in January, just wanted a couple of slices and a can of soda. Not expensive, but not this cheap. And it was the usual bland midtown pizza that the tourists shiat their pants about -- "oooh, authentic New York pizza." My ass. It's cheap food. You have to dump garlic powder and oregano on it to make it taste like anything, and in 2 Bros., at least, good like finding a container of either that doesn't look like it was licked by a wino.

They wanna spend each other out of business? Fine. Free up that space for something tasty to move in.