As the debate rages on about whether you can find authentic New York City bagels and pizzas in Dallas-Fort Worth, the arrival of an actual NYC-based pizzeria at 2820 North Henderson Avenue in October somewhat resolves the latter. In the former home of the original Fireside Pies, a beloved pizza joint from chef Nick Badovinus that helped usher in a new era of exceptional pizza options for Dallas, the famed Prince St. Pizza has assumed the crown.
You won’t need GPS to help you find it. Simply drive down Henderson Avenue and look for the line of people stretched down the street. Enthusiasm has hardly slowed for the slices and pies since the debut less than a month ago, with wait times reaching up to 45-minutes to reach the counter. Crowds appear happy to be queued outside while the weather’s great, and a doorman keeps things moving efficiently. With no indoor dining option, guests load in to score pizza to-go or enjoy immediate gratification on the restaurant’s covered patio.
Options are plentiful, with pizza available by the slice or the whole pie—in Sicilian Soho Squares, Neapolitan-style rounds, or personal-size pizzettas. Two salad options, mozzarella sticks, and a surprisingly large array of six different desserts round out the menu, along with fountain sodas and bottled non-alcoholic beverages.
First things first: This pizza ain’t cheap. Fans of New York City’s ubiquitous 99¢ slices (now $1.50) might get sticker shock. Here, slices range from $6-$7, whole pies from $27-$41, and personal pizzas from $11-$13. Even so, the prices haven’t deterred groups from placing large orders for multiple whole pies.
The pizza tastes like the slices you get in New York, particularly the Neapolitan-style with its foldable thin crust. Go simple with the Original Prince, built with sauce and cheese only; upgrade to the Fancy Prince, made with fresh mozzarella, pecorino romano, fresh basil, and EVOO; or choose from several other meatless options. To savor the crispy pepperoni cups, try the buttery, thick-crust square options. Gluten-free and vegan options are available in these square varieties, too.
In its opening phase, guests that venture in through Sunday, November 30 can try “The Greatest F*cking Pizza of All Time,” a $50.40 collab with Dana White and UFC 322. The limited-edition pie features slow-cooked short rib, sausage ragu, fresh mozzarella, and pecorino cheese.
Eventually, when the newness wears off, lines should shorten. But for now, pop by, chat up other locals in line, and enjoy a little taste of NYC.
Prince St. Pizza, 2820 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas, princestreetpizza.com
