New York Pizza Department

Pizza is one of those foods that nearly everyone enjoys. Kids love it, teenagers live on it, adults crave it – but while it is a food that is great at bringing people together, it just as easily can tear worlds apart. The “correct” combination of dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings is one of the great debates throughout our country. And while I grew up loving Southern California’s not-quite-pan pizzas, with their fluffy but crisp crusts and plethora of topping options, it is truly hard to beat the king of all pizzas – the classic New York style slice.

At New York Pizza Department or NYPD Pizza, the offerings from the owners showcase their love of presenting foods in an interesting and unique way, yet still showing a strong commitment to authentic New York Italian recipes. Delicious fusion dishes, new takes on classics, and an extensive vegan, this little spot in South Corona feels like a corner pizza joint that you’d find across any of the five boroughs.

What to eat at New York Pizza Department in Corona, CA

Neapolitan Style Pizza:

A thin, floppy, foldable crust with a light sauce and a fair amount of cheese. This is the classic style from the city that never sleeps. The crust is chewy, the sauce lightly sweet from the tomatoes and onion. They use a crumbled sausage, instead of thick slices or balls, which is always the best way to have it. There is little better in this world that a good slice of pizza and this one from New York Pizza Department knocks it out of the park.

Sicilian Pie:

The perfect marriage of east coast & west coast pizza preferences, the thick, square cut slice from a Sicilian pie is heavenly. While it may not solve all of the east coast/west coast rivalries, this slice from NYPD is crisp on the edges, soft and pillowy in the middle, with just the right amount of sauce and cheese. The pizza is massive and can easily feed a hungry family (we had plenty leftover to enjoy the next day.. and it’s even better reheated!)

Meatball Parmigiana Hero:

A big, messy hunk of classic Italian goodness. A soft hoagie roll gets a heaping helping of marinara sauce, a generous handful of cheese, and 4 good sized meatballs. The meatballs were tender and well spiced, without any one flavor being overbearing. You’ll need a few napkins for this bad-boy, and don’t wear anything you are afraid to stain with that tasty side of marinara.

Sausage Roll:

Another classic dish you’ll find in nearly any Italian restaurant, the sausages are spread out fairly and partner well with an enormous amount of mozzarella cheese. Tucked away inside a envelope of their pizza dough, this makes for a pretty tasty lunch item. Big enough to split between two but could definitely devour one individually. A very rich dish that is thankfully cut from the acidity from the marinara sauce provided on the side.

Tiramisu:

For dessert – a delicate tiramisu. Well balanced coffee flavors and not too saturated in the lady fingers. The crème throughout was delicious and not too sweet. A perfect cap to an evening meal.

Italian restaurants can really be hit or miss. While it’s hard to mess up pizza (after all, even bad pizza is still pizza!), when it is done right, it’s a delight for the senses. Visually appealing, great smells and textures, and above all else – delicious. When you come to NY Pizza Department, you won’t have the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, nor be surrounded by the towering brownstones of Brooklyn.. but what you will get is a great taste of classic Italian-American cooking. That alone makes it worth the detour.