"Grimaldi’s originally opened in Dumbo in 1990, but since then it’s been sold, franchised, and relocated to a bank building a few storefronts down from the original. Now, it's a chain restaurant with over 40 locations nationwide, and even in that beautiful bank building, the merch for sale up front and the calories displayed on the menu make this place feel a little corporate. The pizza, too, just never seems to quite achieve that signature char that drew Lucali-rivaling lines when it opened. You’ll still often find a line on weekends, usually full of tourists. If you want a taste of history, by all means go try the pie that made Dumbo a pizza town. Preferably at lunch on a weekday, when there’s no line. History might just taste a little underdone on the bottom. Food Rundown photo credit: Willa Moore Traditional Pie The bottom might be pale, but everything on top is solid. There are stretchy expanses of mozzarella and pools of oregano-heavy fresh tomato sauce. Grimaldi’s doesn’t do slices, so you’ll have to get a whole pie." - Willa Moore
