My addiction to A No 1 pizza began in 2007. It has been four years, and I’m still thinking about those two slices of cheesy heaven, smiling at me like a pair of cherubs at the pearly gates.

In all seriousness, A No 1 has become somewhat of a passion for me. I have consumed (proudly) an inordinate amount of pizza at this restaurant over the past four years at Iona, and the ‘lunch special’ will likely be one of the exploits I’ll miss most about my Iona experience. Allow me to tell you a short parable describing my experience.

As a freshman resident student running low on off-campus meal card money, I first turned to A No 1 out of desperation. A number of senior students in my department suggested the lunch special at A No 1. The special consisted of two New York slices of pizza and a fountain soda, for $3 (the price has since skyrocketed to $4). The recession-proof price wasn’t the only reason I stuck around; the pizza is awesome. Since then, I’ve had a special almost twice a week, every week. It’s that good.

Now, I’m not going to go off and say it’s ‘The Best Pizza in NY,’ because that title seems to be more elusive than the item it describes. However, A No 1 puts out a really great slice. The cheese is soft and molten, the sauce is even slightly sweet, and the crust is comparable to a fine down pillow. Dense and ‘wheaty’ like a fine Belgian beer; A No 1 just understands crust. With a fine dusting of pepper and Parmesan, A No 1 pizza satiates any mealtime or late night craving.

A No 1 doesn’t just produce cheese pizza; they offer all of the standard options: pepperoni, Sicilian, buffalo, even exotic flavors like cheeseburger. If you’re hankering for a ‘carbo-load’ or simply a fulfilling dinner, they also make phenomenal baked ziti, ravioli, chicken/meatball Parmesan subs, and much more. Plus, it’s obvious there’s no such thing as portion control; you will never leave A No 1 hungry or dissatisfied.

As for the establishment itself: it’s a standard small pizzeria. There’s seating for about twenty inside, and the restaurant is far from exotic. However, the small environment allows for a ‘homey’ feel, and the staff is helpful and congenial. Service is generally very quick; one can obtain a lunch special in about five minutes, and ordering ahead for take-out takes roughly 15 minutes.

So, earlier I mentioned that I’d tell you a parable. What’s the moral of this story, you ask? Plain and simple: A No 1 isn’t just Iona in reverse (and an obvious lawsuit-dodge), it’s one of the best local restaurants on or off the meal plan. Whether it be for a $4 lunch special or a full meal, I strongly suggest stopping in at this eatery.

5/5