Well folks, since I can't go out and feast on my favorite food, today I'll share one of my favorite New York Style Pizza spots in the Orlando area. Joe's Pizzeria in Ocoee is hitting on all cylinders, and I immensely enjoyed my last couple of visits before this whole Covid mess started. They opened up in New York back in 1988, and expanded to Florida shortly after opening their first restaurants.
This is quality pizza through and through, with great ingredients and a perfectly stretched & cooked crust. While fresh ingredients are always key to making a good quality pizza, the backbone is the crust, and I could find nothing wrong with Joe's.
The crust on my slices had just the right amount of crispiness to them. I love a big floppy slice that you can fold and eat on the go.. but the extra amount of crisping that this bottom crust had was perfect, and made the slices easier to handle. Mind you, there's a very fine line between this crisping and an overcooked slice, but Joe's has managed to find that sweet spot of perfection that kicks this crust into the stratosphere as far as taste and consistency goes!
If you want a real treat, order up a slice of Joe's Margherita pizza which is made with Mozzarella, plum tomatoes, fresh Basil & Garlic. It's a perfectly balanced slice, and took me to Zen after the first bite!
As if the Pizza wasn't enough of a treat already, I also ordered some Garlic Knots that totally blew me away. I can't stand a pre-made Garlic Knot that is heavy, tough, and devoid of flavor. These beautiful little knots of dough were light, soft, and obviously made fresh. The butter and garlic was perfectly proportioned, which made for some of the most succulent Garlic Knots I've ever eaten. The marinara perfectly complimented them, and didn't overpower or take anything away from the knots. At $2.00 for an order of six. this is one of the best deals you will find in these parts for such a high quality appetizer.
I can't say enough nice things about Joe's Pizza in Ocoee. If you want New York Pizza done right, hit them up. If Ocoee is a little out of the way for you, they also have another store at 1881 Fairbanks in Winter Park. To sum up, Joe's makes an incredible tasting pie made with quality ingredients, and is a heck of a value. I do hope they are doing well during this epidemic, and can't wait to get back. Joe's will be getting more of my business and referrals for some time to come.
2735 Old Winter Garden Road, Ocoee Florida