On Saturday, a good friend convinced me to go to Avenue J, in Brooklyn, claiming I would be treated to New York's "best pizza."
By the time we arrived -- around 1PM -- the line was out the door. Literally.
Even though we heard the wait for a slice was going to be about 90 minutes, after our 45-minute schlep from Manhattan's West Side, I reluctantly agreed to join the cue and within moments learned my fellow patrons hailed from all over the world: Germany, Italy, France, Great Britain, Japan ... and even New Jersey. The diverse members of this group had assembled in this little shop in Kings County to pay homage to a modern-day master and to get their piece of the pie.
The reverence for the man behind the counter was immediately apparent. People only spoke when spoken to. No one dared to complain about the inordinate delay. And everyone eagerly handed over their money, when instructed to do so. Frankly, it felt like we were in a church. (Except there were a lot more people here.)
All stood erect in the presence of Domenico DeMarco, owner of the world-renowned Di Fara's Pizzeria -- where a regular slice will run you $4, while $5 will get you a slice of a Sicilian.
In addition to the long wait and pretty steep prices, the joint is a total mess. It looks decrepit -- like it hasn't been renovated in decades -- and there's an unabashed disdain for the laws which apply to the City's food preparers.
You'll see no head coverings. No latex gloves. You'll also find dirt, food residue and other crud all over the place. (It's no secret the Department of Health has repeatedly cited the owner and closed the place down for health code violations .)
But if you're willing to overlook those trivialities, the pizza is is truly sublime.
As my friend observed, after wolfing down a big bite, "It's to die for."
Di Fara's
1424 Avenue J
Brooklyn, NY 11230