Park Slope Pizza Throwdown: Round 2

I–like many other twenty-somethings in this city–am currently in the throes of academic hell week. While my first semester of graduate school is rapidly winding down, my four term papers are inching along at a snail’s pace. Secluded to my Park Slope apartment and a slue of libraries throughout the city, I’ve been forced to observe this early part of the holiday season from a distance, a requisite nonfat eggnog latte always in hand.

With long nights and boring days, the only bright spot in the season of finals is the study food. For those of you who don’t remember, study food includes all of those greasy, chewy, salty, crunchy, sweet bite-size snacks that make writing and studying just a little bit more tolerable. And as finals week only comes around twice a year, it is also a time when you can throw all of your food ethics out the window and indulge in those not-so-great-for-you treats that you typically abstain from.

While in college my vice was sugary bags of candy corn or yogurt covered pretzels that were sold in snack packs at the library, Brooklyn has presented new calorie-laden options. With my typical eating schedule effectively shot-to-’shite,’ I find myself noshing things at all hours, even not so study friendly foods…like pizza (imagine cheese and sauce dripping all over my keyboard and loaned books).

As the second installment to my Park Slope Pizza Throwdown, today I’m waxing poetic about  Joe’s Pizza. Covered in Zagat, Yelp and Citysearch stickers, this place, like Pino’s, is a Park Slope landmark. Yet, unlike Pino’s it’s not packed with droves of smarmy teenagers and snot-nosed children at all hours (plus!). A friendly and efficient little shop, Joe’s has also become my go-to as it is located literally around the corner from my apartment.

While Pino’s abounds with Italian-esque options, Joe’s predominantly sticks to the basics with a small chalkboard menu offering a  selection of pockets, grinders, slices and soups (with a smile!). I’ve had the sausage grinder as well as the eggplant grinder. Gooey, huge, crunchy and hot, their sandwiches satiate even the most bestial of study-induced cravings.

But let’s not kid ourselves; the issue at hand is the slice. While Pino’s tends towards chewy, Joe’s has perfected the art of thin and crispy…which I love. Their fresh mozzarella slice is the freshest and actually tastes like aromatic, green basil and new tomatoes–the freshness altogether reducing my pizza-eating guilt. Basil counts as a vegetable, right?

In the end…I can’t decide. Pino’s has a great plain slice while Joe’s has old world neighborhood charm and thin crust. I probably won’t be able to choose a winner at the end of this experiment because, in reality, if a shop can stay in business long enough to become a landmark in this cutthroat food neighborhood, then it’s going to be great.

Plain-slice-price: $2.50

Location: 137 7th Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn

Nearest Subway: B/Q at 7th Ave or 2/3 at Grand Army Plaza

Website: n/a