"Shins Pizza in Cypress Park is, in fact, a slice shop. Which means you can order a Mexican coke at the counter, eat standing up, and start a relationship with a wedge of pepperoni. But unlike your typical pizza counter with milk crates as patio furniture, Shin’s serves slices with updated, often Asian-influenced toppings that are fun and inventive without going overboard. All the combinations are delicious, especially the slice with sweet Chinese sausage, pepperoni, smoky speck, and a dollop of sambal, which is so good it deserves its own dedicated takeout window. This one-of-a-kind slice shop, which comes from the same people behind and , doesn’t just make great pizza, though—the various sides, salads, and desserts here would all be scene-stealers in a non-pizza setting. We especially like the crispy-crunchy BBQ pork arancini, celery salad with blue cheese and pickled chiles, and a pleasantly tart cup of kalamansi Italian ice. But the main attractions are still the pies. Each slice folds in half like there’s a perforated edge down the middle, and the crust has all the sturdy chew of classic NY-style pizza. Shins is best suited for a quick, drop-by lunch or dinner. But there are a few limitations to bear in mind: There’s nowhere to sit or stand inside the restaurant, and the few outdoor “tables” are usually taken. Whole pies are available, too, but don’t expect much of a discount from the per-slice price. And be prepared to curb-loiter while watching the kitchen staff wave pizza peels in and out of the oven like a team of Vikings rowing a boat. " - Nikko Duren
