Joe’s Pizza Santa Monica
Overview
As per Dave Portnoy…President of Barstool Sports” One Bite, everyone knows the rules”. Joe’s in Santa Monica was the highest rated pizza place in Southern California. Let’s see where it makes our list. After lots of walking and sight seeing Monica was ready to try a slice of Joe’s famous pizza. We entered the restaurant at 1030 pm on a Saturday night and ordered a couple slices of pepperoni pizza.
Review
This place was buzzing on a Saturday night between locals and the tourists the counter was busy. We were fortunate enough to get a couple of stools and a place to sit at the counter. I placed our order and in less than 10 min our order was at the table. Two hot pieces of pepperoni pizza on fine white paper plates. The slice looked good, it had a nice charred under carriage, not much flop, a bit of grease coming from the pepperoni. “Moment of truth a 8.3 ,best slice in So Cal?” No it wasn’t, It was actually a let down; were they having a bad night or was it just not what I had hoped for? The sauce was thick, but it was sweet and chunky with no substance of flavour, it really needed some oregano and salt and pepper . I really think more cheese was needed along with some fresh Parmesan Cheese. Monica had her first bite, first thing she says is “too much sauce for your liking”. She was correct and she also said it was light on the cheese. I am going to give Dave Portnoy a little wiggle room as he always gets a cheese slice. A cheese slice is not really our jam, but a thin crust New York Style Pizza pepperoni works for us. I think Monica was a little harsh on her 6.0 score but the pizza was just ok. We were on a cruise the day before and the pizza they serve on the ship at the pizza place was just as good or maybe a tad better. I hate to say it, but the Mexican Sprite I used to wash down my slice was best part of the meal.
Final thoughts
Joe’s Pizza , for a $4.50 slice of pizza it’s ok, better than a food court pizza but my experience wasn’t life changing. Hoping to have a better slice next time in SoCal. Hoping to do another review of Dave Portnoy’s top South Beach Florida joint, maybe it’s me on New York Style Pizza. 6.4 Tasty Bites out of 10.