52 Slices - Week 2
Dough-ing it Right on the Upper East Side
After last week’s post, I took some time to recount, as best as I could, every single pizza spot I’ve tried in New York City. The final tally came out to 32 (including Ace’s from last week). Most of them were concentrated in Manhattan, with a few in Brooklyn and Queens. I’m determined to spread out across all five boroughs this year, but my map revealed something surprising: the Upper East Side was completely blank. My wife and I frequent the neighborhood for food—some of our favorite pasta spots are there—but not once had I stopped for a slice of pizza. So, for week two, I knew exactly where I was headed.
The Upper East Side is an interesting neighborhood. It’s the only part of Manhattan where I still feel like a tourist when I’m walking around. Maybe it’s the stark juxtaposition of old-money opulence—ornate pre-war townhouses, doorman buildings, and high-end boutiques—against pockets of vintage New York grunge. Or maybe it’s the feeling of transience created by the massive medical complexes that dominate parts of the area. Whatever the reason, the UES has always felt slightly detached from the rest of the city for me. That said, it also has its undeniable appeal: quieter streets, excellent dining options, and a slightly slower pace that sets it apart from the hustle of Midtown or the creative energy of downtown.
For my first UES pizza experience, I did a little research and landed on Mimi’s Pizza on 86th Street at 3rd Ave. Walking in, Mimi’s has all the hallmarks of a classic New York pizzeria: a narrow, no-frills layout with pies displayed under a glass case, steel pizza ovens churning out fresh slices, and just enough seating to encourage a quick bite before moving on. It’s a place that feels like it’s been feeding locals for decades, and it draws you in with its simplicity. According to online reviews, their grandma slices and Denso Pepperoni are highly recommended, but since I started with a square slice last week, I wanted to stick to the quintessential NY-style this time. The order: one cheese slice and one pepperoni with sausage.
Right away, Mimi’s dough stole the show. This is NY-style thin crust at its finest. The bottom of the crust has that perfect, snap-in-half crisp when folded, but just above that crunchy layer is a soft, airy dough that gives it balance. It’s not just good—it’s flawless. This is the ultimate walking slice, the kind you can fold and eat on the go without worrying about floppiness or grease. The consistency across both slices showed this wasn’t a fluke. As I waited for my order, another customer came in to buy four frozen doughs, a testament to how much pride Mimi’s takes in its craft. Their Instagram bio even highlights their 72-hour dough fermentation process, and it’s clear they’ve mastered it.
The sauce was bright, with a fresh, slightly acidic tang that immediately stood out. It tasted vibrant, almost as if the tomatoes had just been crushed, giving it a lighter feel than heavier, more seasoned sauces. Mimi’s applies the sauce sparingly, which complements the thin crust perfectly without overpowering it.
The cheese was a classic mozzarella—straightforward and just the right amount of sharpness and saltiness to tie everything together. On the pepperoni and sausage slice, the pepperonis were about an inch and a half wide, slightly larger than the "cupped" style . The sausage was sliced thin and crisped beautifully in the oven, with just the right amount of Italian seasoning to bring a savory kick. The toppings were balanced—generous but not overwhelming, letting the crust and sauce shine through.
The verdict: 7/10 for both slices. These were above-average NY slices, and Mimi’s absolutely delivered on the classic pizzeria experience. It’s not flashy, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s just good pizza. At $3.50 a slice for the cheese and $5.50 for the sausage and pepperoni, the quality to cost ratio is very strong. I’ll definitely be back—both for the slices and, honestly, to try their grandma pie next time. Mimi’s has two locations, with the second at 88th and Broadway in the Upper West Side.