Two weeks ago NY Slice pizza opened its doors next to De Lapa in Bird Street giving students a taste of authentic New York pizza.
“The past two weeks have been really busy, especially late night,” said owner Mark Francis.
Mark Francis, owner of NY Slice Pizza, and his Dog, Zon. PHOTO: Marius Boonzaier.
This is the third NY Slice Pizza he has opened. There is also one in Kloof Street and another in Sea Point.
“The one in Kloof Street does really well, especially late at night. People go out for drinks and they want to grab a snack afterwards.”
Francis explains he decided to open a branch in Stellenbosch because of the town’s busy nightlife.
“This is a great spot next to De Lapa, students going out for the night and wanting to grab a bite afterwards. We are near the square where a lot of the clubs are and we stay open late in the evenings.”
NY Slice Pizza situated in Bird Street. PHOTO: Marli van Eeden.
Francis said what sets NY Slice Pizza apart from other pizza joints is its authentic New York style pizza.
“The pizzas are over half a meter in diameter, so they are quite big and customers can either buy a pizza slice, half a pizza or a whole pizza. They are sold as pizza slices,” he said.
“It is quick, tasty and fairly affordable.”
Francis used to live in New York where he was working as an accountant before he decided to get into the pizza business.
“I was tired of [accountancy] and so I thought of making pizza and bringing New York style pizza to Cape Town,” he said.
“I quit my job and started working at a few pizza places for two or three months in New York to learn how to make pizza because I didn’t know how to make pizza.”
There are four different pizzas to choose from. The Manhattan, similar to a Margarita pizza, with basil and cherry tomatoes; the pepperoni pizza; the buffalo chicken pizza with a slightly spicy buffalo sauce, chicken and peppadews; and a roast peppers and caramelized onion pizza.
“The pepperoni pizza is definitely the most popular.”
Also popular amongst customers is the Slice chart and the Pie chart challenges.
To get your name on the Slice chart, eat a pizza slice as fast as you can. If you beat the fastest time your name gets written on the chart and you get a free pizza slice. The same goes for the Pie chart, except you have to eat a whole pizza in order to get onto the chart and get a pizza in return.
On Tuesdays you can get any pizza slice and a Coke for only R29.
“And if someone has an idea for a good student special, I am down to try it,” Francis said. – Marli van Eeden
NY Slice Pizza aims to give customers an authentic New York experience. PHOTO: Marli van Eeden