I know I am late to the game on this one. I had every intention of making it over to Top Chef contestant Spike Mendelsohn’s We, the Pizza when it opened in July 2010, but time got away from me and it is only now that I can officially say that I have experienced DC’s finest pizza. Let me preface this by saying that my parents are both New Yorkers, and there was a strict rule in my house growing up that we were only allowed to eat New York style pizza. No Dominos, Papa John’s, or anything of the sort… it was the real deal or nothing. So I will admit that I am a bit of a pizza snob but I blame my parents. Therefore my pizza eating in DC has been limited, and the only thing that has really exceeded my expectations is pizza from The Italian Store in Virginia.
Monday night was a beautiful evening at close to 70 degrees, and my boyfriend Josh and I decided to take a drive over to Capitol Hill to try We, the Pizza. Neither of us had been yet and Josh is also a New Yorker with high expectations for pizza. We, the Pizza is a pretty simple place on Pennsylvania Ave, SE directly next to Spike’s burger joint, Good Stuff Eatery. The food is all ordered at the counter and the offerings include pizza by the slice or by the pie, a few salads, subs, homemade fountain sodas, and beer. They offer upstairs seating or outdoor seating which we were able to take advantage of on Monday given the nice weather. While there is nothing fancy or pretty about walking into We, the Pizza, the display of pizza alone is enough to make you drool. The large New York style pizzas are out on display behind the counter so you can make an informed decision about your food.
Chef Spike Mendelsohn. Photo courtesy of www.wethepizza.com.
We each ordered two slices to start: two fresh buffalo mozzerella and roasted tomato, one piece of white pizza with ricotta, fontina, garlic, parmesan, mozzerella, olive oil, and parsley, and one piece of the potato and pancetta pie which was loaded with roasted local spuds, pancetta, carmelized onions, tomato sauce, mozzerella, and rosemary. I would say there was very little talking at the table while we both inhaled the pizza in front of us. Everything was beyond good, but I really loved the white pizza and the mounds of ricotta on top. Also, Josh went back for a piece of the sicilian which had a really thick crust and an awesome chunky tomato sauce on top.
The pizza completely passed the test and we both agreed that We, the Pizza is the real deal. The only complaint I can think of is that it isn’t closer to my apartment so I can get pizza takeout on a regular basis. Now that I know how good it is, I might be spending a little more time on Capitol Hill. Thanks to Chef Spike for bringing some New York style to DC. We needed it.
We, the Pizza
305 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20003
www.wethepizza.com
The mushroom pizza is also awesome. I did an a private event in their space upstairs and it was great. It’s a hike for me but when you’re on the Hill it’s a great option.
Jenna, you either A. are not from NY or B. did not go to We The Pizza. Ive eaten there twice, and on both occasions was severely dissapointed. it is absolutley nothing…not even close…to NY pizza. Frozen DiGorno’s Pizza from the grocery store is more like NY pizza than We the Pizza. Spike is a terrible chef, and his burgers are even worse than his Pizza. If you want authentic NY pizza, there really is just nothing around here. The closest thing is either Flippen Pizza, or Vito’s in College Park. But as good as they are, still not even close to NY pizza
Thanks for the comment. Sorry you disagree. Never been to either places in College Park but I’ll check them out. Sounds like you really don’t like Spike.
sorry to fly off the handle like that, but yea, not a big spike fan. Plus as a pizza snob as well i get all jumpy when people claim “good” pizza in dc…like 2 amy’s or pizza paridso. again, sorry for flying off the handle.
No apologies necessary. I am very passionate about food too, so we are happy to have your comments! I admit there is nothing like NY pizza, and I lived in Italy so I know that 2 Amy’s and Pizzeria Paradiso while good, are much more Italian in nature than NY style. Although I do still enjoy them. I definitely will try to check out the CP places you suggested though!
Try the Corner Slice in Bethesda, it’s the closest to NY pizza I’ve found in DC.