Facts, opinions, and pizza

 

Sal's in Mamaroneck, NY (their photo...sadly, not mine)

One of the biggest factors dividing us in recent memory is the inability to understand opinion versus fact.

Tom Brady has won seven Super Bowls. That is a fact.

Tom Brady is not the GOAT. That is an opinion.

But we live in a world where I've read numerous times: "Tom Brady is the GOAT and if you don't agree, you're wrong."

Oh, really?

Yesterday, Dave Portnoy -- chief stooge of Barstool Sports* -- wrote the following: "Let me settle this once and for all.  The pizza capital of the United States is New Haven Ct.    Anybody who says otherwise is wrong."

We could start with his double space after periods, but let's not be that pedantic.

* Before I continue, I love what Portnoy is doing with restaurants and small businesses called The Barstool Fund. I also laugh at his pizza reviews.

But, come on.

You love New Haven pizza? Nice. It's good. I've had Pepe's. I enjoy it. My mother loved it. I know they have other pizzas in New Haven. I've had some of them. All good. Great, even.

Still, as I tweeted: "I love people who pull the "any other take is wrong" macho crap. My pizza capital is New York. You want to say it's New Haven? Have at it. But I've got 10 -- easily -- from Staten Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and even Westchester that I want before New Haven."

And I stand by that.

So, to put my pizza where my mouth is:

1) Sal's -- Mamaroneck, NY. Still my go-to and nothing has changed. It's been my favorite for roughly 30 years. After this one, there's no particular order and I know I'll actually forget a few.

2) Joe and Pat's -- Staten Island. Susan told me I'd be blown away. I was dubious. So, in 2014, I broadcast a football game coached by her brother and, to thank me, a party was held to feed me Joe and Pat's, which "had to be fresh," according to her mother. I was blown away. I've had it a few times since -- reheated, sadly, as I'm fairly convinced there's a "No Rob Adams" sign posted at all crossings onto Staten Island (save for that one trip on the ferry a few years ago before I quickly departed).

3) Dom and Vinny's -- Valhalla, NY. Another place that I've gone to for years. I went on my first day of Westchester Community College in 1987 and I've kept going. Two slices and a soda: $3.05. Prices have obviously changed but I still go when I'm in the area. 

4) Patsys -- Harlem. Wow. An old brick oven that has been on 1st Ave since 1933. Yes, please.

5) L&B Spumoni Gardens -- Gravesend, Brooklyn. I realize not everyone is into "square" or Sicilian pizza. At first, I get it occasionally, but I'll happily take some from Sal's to go along with a couple of traditional slices. However, I don't think I've ever had the round slices at L&B. Oh, no, this is all about the square pie. I don't really miss trekking into Brooklyn like I used to do, but my God I do miss L&B. It's mightily tempting to swing by and get some should I have the opportunity to go to MCU Park for Renegades/Cyclones. The sauce is on top of the cheese with some Pecorino-Romano sprinkled on top also. Incredible.

6) Peppino's Pizza -- Somers, NY. It's not the closest place to home for me but it's pretty close. Besides excellent pizza, I've had more than a few meals and sandwiches from there, including perhaps my favorite chicken parm dinner/wedge.

7) John's of Bleecker Street -- Manhattan. No slices, but still worth it. Another NYC institution.

8) Grimaldi's Pizzeria -- Brooklyn. Admittedly it's touristy and I had to stand on line to get in, but it was still a solid experience.

9) Muscoot Tavern -- Somers, NY. Tucked off to the side of what's known as "Whitehall Corners" (nobody calls it that anymore) at the confluence of New York Routes 35 and 100 is a roadhouse that dates back to before 1925. While I can speak to the clams casino and the Montauk fish soup as well as some of the Italian entrees, the star to me is the pizza (that, by the way, is an opinion). It teeters between being a bar pie and a parlor pie. It eats so well.

10) Dough Girls (pizza truck) -- located around Greenwich, CT. Besides the staff being so friendly, the pizza is great. It's personal-sized and made while you wait and right in front of your eyes with a variety of topping options.

I could add in Heights Pizza of Darien, CT and Mario's of Mahopac and more. Beyond that, trust me, the list can change (except for Sal's and probably Joe and Pat's).

Of course, Colony Pizza of Stamford and, yes, Pepe's.

Now, since I've thrown out these ten (and there are so many more), this doesn't mean I don't like the New Haven options. They're actually all quite good and even great. I've had great pizza all around the country and even the world. Yet there's this feeling that New Haven is the "little brother" of the pizza world that feels the need to kick up dirt every time this discussion comes up.

So, while "El Presidente" can try to tell us, "Anybody who says otherwise is wrong," it is he who is, in fact, quite wrong.

Opinions are just that: an opinion. I think Babe Ruth is the GOAT but that doesn't mean I'm right.

We'd be a heck of a lot better if we could just offer opinions and agree to disagree at times.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I need to get some pizza.

And that's a fact.