Joe & Pat's Pizzeria & Restaurant

Should You Make the Trip to Staten Island for Joe & Pat's?

Yes — but go in knowing what you're signing up for. Joe & Pat's Pizzeria & Restaurant on Victory Boulevard is not a destination you stumble into; it's one you plan for, if pizza is your priority, the trip across the borough line is worth making. Walk-ins are generally manageable here, which is a genuine advantage over the Manhattan pizza circus, but the fact that Opinionated About Dining has ranked Joe & Pat's among its top 35 Cheap Eats in North America three consecutive years (No. 31 in 2023, No. 35 in 2024, No. 33 in 2025) tells you this is not a neighborhood afterthought. It is a legitimately ranked pizzeria that happens to require a ferry or a drive.

What Joe & Pat's Actually Delivers

The energy inside is the first thing you'll register: this is a loud, lived-in room where families have been eating for decades. It is not a quiet date-night spot. The noise comes from the kind of sustained, genuine use that no restaurant designer can manufacture — regulars, extended families, the occasional pizza pilgrim from Manhattan all sharing the same unpretentious space. If you want a calm room, this is the wrong call. If you want a room that feels like it has earned its place over time, Joe & Pat's delivers that immediately.

Under chef Ciro Pappalardo, the kitchen produces the thin-crust Staten Island style that the OAD rankings have consistently rewarded. Staten Island-style pizza sits in its own lane, thinner and crisper than a New York slice, less chewy than a Neapolitan, distinct from the coal-oven approach you'll find at venues like Angelo's Coal Oven Pizza. The three-year run on a respected national cheap eats list is the clearest available signal that the product has held its standard. Three consecutive appearances is not an accident; it reflects consistency that most pizzerias at any price point struggle to maintain.

The value equation here is one of the strongest in New York City's pizza category. You are getting a nationally ranked product at cheap-eats pricing, which makes it comparable to the kind of overperforming casual venues that Pearl tracks across the country, places like Ken's Artisan Pizza in Portland, where the quality-to-price ratio consistently outpaces the room's modest presentation. Joe & Pat's fits that profile exactly: the setting does nothing to inflate the price, so you're paying almost entirely for what's on the plate.

For context on how the New York pizza field shapes up, Leading Pizza in Williamsburg and Artichoke Basille's represent the Manhattan-adjacent options at a similar price tier. Don Antonio and Denino's Pizzeria & Tavern, also Staten Island, round out the borough's serious pizza conversation. If you're already planning a Staten Island visit, Denino's is the obvious cross-reference; both venues have loyal followings, but Joe & Pat's consistent OAD placement over three years gives it a slight edge in documented national recognition right now.

Booking and Logistics

Booking difficulty is rated easy, which in practice means you do not need to plan weeks ahead the way you would for a tasting-menu reservation. That accessibility is part of the appeal. The tradeoff is the location: Victory Boulevard in Staten Island requires intent. The Staten Island Ferry is free from lower Manhattan, the pizzeria is reachable from the St. George terminal. Factor in travel time honestly, this is a 45-minute-plus commitment each way from most Manhattan neighborhoods, so plan accordingly and make the meal the purpose of the outing rather than a detour.

For more on where to eat, stay, drink across the five boroughs, see our full New York City restaurants guide, our full New York City hotels guide, our full New York City bars guide, our full New York City wineries guide, and our full New York City experiences guide.

Quick reference:

FAQ

What should a first-timer know about Joe & Pat's Pizzeria & Restaurant?

• This is a Staten Island institution with three consecutive Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats in North America rankings, No. 31, 35, 33 in 2023, 2024, 2025 respectively. The pizza style is thin-crust Staten Island, distinct from the New York slice you'll get in Manhattan. Plan the visit as the main event: travel time from Manhattan is substantial. Booking is easy, so you don't need to reserve far ahead, but confirm current hours directly before you go.

What should I wear to Joe & Pat's Pizzeria & Restaurant?

• No dress code applies here. This is a casual, family-friendly pizzeria at cheap-eats pricing. Come as you are, the room is informal and the clientele reflects that. Overdressing would be conspicuous.

Can I eat at the bar at Joe & Pat's Pizzeria & Restaurant?

• Bar seating specifics are not confirmed in our data. Given the venue's casual, family-restaurant format, seating arrangements are likely flexible, but call ahead or check on arrival if bar seating is specifically important to you.

Does Joe & Pat's Pizzeria & Restaurant handle dietary restrictions?

• No specific dietary restriction information is available in our current data. For allergy or dietary needs, contact the restaurant directly before visiting. As a traditional pizzeria, the menu is likely built around cheese and meat-based preparations, so those with significant restrictions should verify options in advance.

Is Joe & Pat's Pizzeria & Restaurant good for a special occasion?

• It depends on what the occasion calls for. If the celebration is about great food at a relaxed price point, a birthday for a pizza obsessive, a casual group dinner, Joe & Pat's works well. The OAD recognition gives it genuine credibility as a destination meal. But if the occasion requires a formal setting, quiet atmosphere, or elaborate service, look elsewhere: this is a loud, casual room. For milestone dining in New York City with those requirements, consider Le Bernardin or Eleven Madison Park instead.

What are alternatives to Joe & Pat's Pizzeria & Restaurant in New York City?

• Within the pizza category: Denino's Pizzeria & Tavern is the most direct Staten Island comparison. In Manhattan and Brooklyn, Leading Pizza, Artichoke Basille's, Don Antonio, and Angelo's Coal Oven Pizza cover different styles at similar price points. If you want nationally ranked casual pizza outside New York entirely, Ken's Artisan Pizza in Portland and 800 Degrees Pizza in Los Angeles are worth knowing.