Classic Sal’s is back! The simple and delicious ingredients make this one of the best pizza places in town. The crust of the pizza; that glorious foundation upon which an entire Sal’s culinary identity rests. It’s not just bread. It’s not just a base. It’s a carefully orchestrated balance of chew, crunch, flavor, and soul.
The perfect New York-style pizza crust begins with its unmistakable texture. Picture this: the outer rim, or cornicione, is golden and puffed, with just the right amount of blistering — a testament to the intense heat of a seasoned deck oven. It’s crisp when you first bite in, giving way to a tender, chewy interior that has just enough resistance to remind you that gluten is your friend.
Unlike its thicker cousins from Detroit or Chicago, the New York slice is thin and pliable — thin enough to fold without cracking, thick enough to hold its toppings without surrendering. That fold, that iconic “V” shape, is the New York pizza handshake — a ritual in itself.
Flavor-wise, the crust sings of simplicity. High-gluten flour gives it strength and structure, while a long, slow fermentation (ideally 24 to 72 hours) develops a complex, slightly tangy flavor. A whisper of olive oil in the dough lends richness, cooked to a subtle crunch on the underside.
Baked directly on a steel oven surface, the bottom is evenly browned — leopard-spotted, Sal’s knows their craft — never pale, never soggy. It crackles lightly as you bite, leaving behind a faint trace of flour and dreams of Oneonta street corners.
The perfect Sal’s crust doesn’t steal the spotlight, but it holds its own. It complements the tang of the tomato sauce, the pull of molten mozzarella, the occasional snap of a pepperoni curl. It’s the unsung hero of the slice, the canvas that lets every other ingredient shine.
It is good to the last bite — just the crust, nothing else — is a reward in itself. Warm, chewy, slightly salty, and kissed by fire. Pure Sal’s!