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Al's New York Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Pizza Restaurants Italian Pizza, Italian [Edit]
1673 Irvine AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 722-1212
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
123 reviews for Al's New York Cafe
Review Highlights
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"I love the bread - it has a crunchy crust and is yummy." In 31 reviews -
"My daughter's favorite is the baked ziti." In 4 reviews -
"...cooked al dente and the tomato sauce is very tasteful." In 6 reviews
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123 reviews in English
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Review from Ally H.
5/11/2012
I have been living near this hole in the wall restaurant for a year and a half and have finally gotten around to trying them out. I am not a pizza lover, not that it does not taste good but because I know it is more unhealthy for me than other things I could eat.
Anywho, the place is more of a take out or delivery place and has three tables inside an two more outside for those who opt for sitting down. They have pizzas to calzones to pastas to salads. We usually get their pizza special, two slices of pizza and a soda for $5 even. The size is comparable to a slice from Costco so they are pretty big. The New York style gives it a flat bread with a bit of a nice crunch to it. For the size and value, this is cheap and awesome! Love it.
Service is always excellent and the staff is always ver nice. -
Review from Julie K.
4/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm always looking for the best pizza place, whether it be NY, Chicago, or whatever the hell style.
Since i'm from Jersey, I'm particularly fond of floppy greasy NY style pizza so I thought I'd give this place a try. I've been hearing it's the real deal for a long time.
Welp, it just didn't live up to the hype. I didn't think it was thin enough, floppy enough, definitely not GREASY enough or salty enough. Maybe my hopes were just to high, but I drove 15 miles just to try this pizza expecting to be the best, and it just didn't cut it. Maybe I got a fluke...I'd like to try again if I'm in the area, but so far it's just OK. -
Review from M W.
Laguna Niguel, CA
2/11/2012
5 stars because this is the most authentic tasting NY pizza that I've found outside of NYC. I should know because I lived there for four years and had pizza three to four times a week. Tastes pretty much like the ones in NYC.
Small take out pizzeria with lots of italian (non pizza) dishes which I have not tried but hear are great. There are a few small tables inside with a tv wavering above head and a few table outside.
It is a great quick NYC pizza fix if you don't mind the teenie boppers that hang out from the local high school. -
Review from Spencer W.
Laguna Beach, CA
5/17/2012
Great pizza. NYC special all the way.
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Review from Eileen H.
Newport Beach, CA
5/3/2012
Al's serves up huge slices of thin New York style pizza. Delicious!
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Review from Chon T.
Santa Ana, CA
4/10/2012
NY-style pizza in CM...cant hate on that. grab 2 slices (1 cheese, 1 pepperoni), you will not regret it. perfect blend of crunchy yet foldable crust, sauce, and cheese. top off with a little chili pepper and im in heaven. hit that pizza. still have yet to try the pasta, maybe at a later time.
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Review from Phillip O.
Newport Beach, CA
4/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
I don't care what anyone else thinks or says on his review unless it's positive. If you don't like it, then you're just a picky eater with a taste bud disorder and have too much time on your hand to whine. Al brings the true taste of New York with pizzas, sandwiches, and pastas. You may think twice because of the hole of the wall appearance, but you will wonder why there are always customers at Al's New York Café. 2 slices of pizza and a soda for $5 is worth the trip.
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Review from Cass H.
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
Stopped by for lunch on a random week day off work. I live so close to this place, but everyone raves about the lunch special! Finally got to try it. $5 will get you two (large) slices of pizza and a drink. Make sure you have cash, otherwise they add 50 cents if it's under $8. The slices were very large and floppy, just like in NY. Gotta fold to eat!
I enjoyed the pizza, and I'd even come back, but it didn't wow me and it definitely doesn't beat my fav pizza place.Listed in: Pizza!
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Review from Sadia C.
12/7/2011
Damn it! Al's makes a great pizza.
the Greek Special with feta, basil, garlic, etc. WOW. I was hooked and just cannot stop ordering from this place for lunch, which is great because they deliver. Their pizzas are super flavorful and the crust is thin. The cheese has a great texture, not rubbery like some other places.
The pastas are pretty good, but the pizza trumps the pasta.
The sandwiches are huge. A small can almost feed 2 for lunch. They're tasty!
The prices are so, so reasonable.
The staff is very friendly.
HIGHLY recommend! One of the best pizza joints in OC. -
Review from Peter N F.
Irvine, CA
3/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Five bucks for two giant slices and a drink for lunch? I'm in.
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Review from David Q.
Santa Ana, CA
12/31/2011
Al's is quirky and tucked away in a strip mall next to the 7/11 near La Cave. There is next to no room to eat inside and about 3 tables outsides. The staff is mildly quirky as well. There is limited to no parking as well. It's funny, cause all this makes it sound like some where not to go...
The food is so amazing is makes up for any and all quirkiness. The Sandwich's are amazing. Great New York/ thin style slices. Good deals; two slices and a soda for $5 bucks. So far I have not found anything on the menu I have not liked. -
Review from Eugene S.
3/3/2012
Best Pizza slices in town! You can't beat the 2-slices-and-a-drink special for 5 bucks. Slices are thrown in the oven as soon as you order them. They come out thin and crispy, with stringy cheese and a good sauce. There's even a guy in there who looks like he's from New York (might be Al himself?). I've been frequenting this spot every other week for the last three months without any regrets. You should see all the "OC Housewives" looking moms that run through this place. I guess the pastrami sandwich is pretty good here, but my heart goes for the pizza when I come here, and when my heart needs pizza I come here. One day pastrami sandwich, one day...
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Review from Christle W.
Costa Mesa, CA
12/22/2011
My husband and I decided to try this place for dinner tonight.
The dude we ordered from on the phone was kind of impatient sounding, but whatevs.
Our food got here in 20 minutes and it was hot and delicious.
We ordered the Veggie Specialty pizza and added artichoke hearts. It was delicious! We also shared an order of Chicken Parmesan and that was excellent, too. Their meat sauce is really tasty, too!
I think we'll definitely be ordering from Al's again soon. -
Review from Jon B.
Newport Beach, CA
3/10/2012
service could be better but you won't spend much of your time interacting. The ZA is solid. Individual slices come out good but when you order a whole pizza, the crust is too soft. Overall: good NY style pizza for the area.
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Review from Patrick M.
Los Angeles, CA
10/5/2011
This place is $$$.
The crust is awesome. The grease, plentiful. And two slices and a soda for $5? I'm sold!
Awesome place. Go. Thank me later. -
Review from Steve M.
Costa Mesa, CA
12/13/2011 8 Check-ins Here
All's rocks!
I like how the owner is usually around and there service is great. My faves include the pizzas of course and the roast beef supreme sandwich. Fast friendly service and good deals for lunch on the cheep have me recommending All's anytime a pizza debate comes up. They also have a better Greek Salad than the "Greek" place a block down the street. and for the same price as the "Greek" place All's added chicken. I love small local non corporate spots like All's and I will be a loyal customer as long as I live in Orange County. Thanks All keep up the good work! -
Review from David H.
San Dimas, CA
9/16/2011
I used to live across the street from this place and after eating my first pizza from this place (pepperoni, mushrooms, tomatoes) I was HOOKED!!! Took a lot of will power not to go out there every night for something new off their menu.
Sad that I moved so far away, haven't been able to find a place that comes close to these guys! -
Review from Tyler D.
Newport Beach, CA
11/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
One of the better "pizza by the slice" joints in the Newport area. Because it shares a parking lot with 7-11 you will sometimes have a little trouble with parking but don't let that deter you from cashing in on the deal of the century: 2 slices and a soda for $5.
I'm a fan of the Meatball Hoagie, but everything I've had has been great. The pizza comes in thin, fold-able slices with just enough sauce and oil from the melted cheese.
Give Al a try and don't forget to tip. -
Review from Nicole A.
Costa Mesa, CA
Yum! I'm so happy I stumbled upon this place via yelp. I was looking for a pizza joint with that perfect crust (what can I say, I'm a lil picky), and after trying sooo many nearby I was begining to lose hope. Al's to the rescue (cue superhero music- i like the indiana jones theme song). The pies are delish and they also have a double slice lunch special. My girl loves the cheese pizza here and now asks for "Al's" by name.
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Review from Tim D.
Costa Mesa, CA
4/12/2012
Great take out pizza. Calzone's are great too. My only complaint would be I wish they did a little more with the salads. It's my go to in Newport for take out pizza. Fresh toppings, love the meatballs and Al the owner is usually there and making sure everyone is being properly cared for. What could be more NY than that?
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Review from Mike F.
Newport Beach, CA
2/1/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Best NY pizza in the area. People are friendly and food is good. I get takeout because there isn't much room inside.
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Review from Mindy P.
6/17/2011
I live 2.2 miles away and they said I was out of their delivery area. Really?
Pizza was okay, they could be more generous on the toppings. Also, for being New York, it wasn't very thin or as greasy (I like the grease)....so I was sad it didn't have the walking through Central Park feel.
I'll stick to Doria's. -
Review from Thao V.
5/26/2011
I used to frequent this place everytime I was down in Newport. I'd order and drive down to the pier, find a lifeguard tower, eat, and watch the sunset. It's in a somewhat of a dinky mini plaza, but just find the 7-Eleven and the place is right next door.
I ALWAYS order the baked ziti. Sometimes I ask them to add chicken into it which always makes it better. The penne is always cooked al dente and the tomato sauce is very tasteful. It comes with garlic bread and a salad. It's literally feeds two.
Another fav of mine here is the calzone! I don't know what it is about calzones here, it's delish. I ask for extra marinara on the side so I can dunk it in. I'm drooling thinking about how amazingly good it is. I highly recommend this one.
Lastly, their chicken parmesan sandwich is killer. I love eating it because it's kinda messy.
I've tried their pizza once, but I don't think I'm a big NY pizza fan. I actually enjoy the the bread/crust. I love my carbs, alright?!
Now, who wants to take a trip with me to get a calzone??? -
Review from jorge s.
Costa Mesa, CA
6/20/2011
OK, so I've got a friend who is from Jersey and a total pizza snob. I constantly try and get her to try different pizza places, she is always disappointed. I finally found this place with the help of the yelp crew and suggested going there. I told her "they all say it's New York style piz-", but before i can finish my statement she says "I'll believe it when i see it."
Challenge accepted!
We headed over to Al's ordered the 2 slice/drink combo for $5 (great deal BTW) we got cheese and pepperoni. We also got a calzone.
Both dishes were great. The pizza was thin and crispy. The calzone was tasty too.
I'm going to have to go back many more times to try the rest of the menu. -
Review from Christopher S.
Mission Viejo, CA
6/10/2011
We got the 16" NYC Special for $18.75. At first glance, I wasn't too impressed. The sausage seemed sparse and I never saw any chunks of garlic, but I could definitely smell it.
Picking up a slice, I needed to give it a nice fold in order to avoid flopping over. Definitely a good sign, although it's not quite as thin, wide, or greasy as a traditional NY slice. It was also very light on the sauce, typical NY style, but I would have preferred a bit more.
Does any of this matter compared to the taste? Not really. It was wonderfully cheesy and garlicky, which is right up my alley. The sausage was savory and delicious, and the onions were perfectly cooked. Definitely worth a quick trip for such a hot, fresh pizza.
Minus a star for need of more sauce and the fact that they wouldn't deliver to our apartment only 2 miles away... really? Really. -
Review from Ian M.
Costa Mesa, CA
1/28/2012
For New York food lovers, this place as about as good as it gets! Located down the street from Newport Harbor High School, this proximity allowed me to become a regular, and never once was I served a slice of pizza or pastrami sandwich that wasn't as good as the last time; which is to say, this place is consistent. Consistency is quite an asset when the food you serve is as delicious as it is at Al's. Beside the difficulty parking and confined dining area (perhaps elements that lend themselves to a 5 star rating, considering this is a NY style cafe), it's hard to go wrong when you're looking for enormous portions of delicious food at a satisfactory price.
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Review from Diver D.
Gilbert, AZ
9/15/2011
Great pizza, had the NYC special with pepperoni, sausage, onion, garlic and double cheese. It probably moved my heart attack up by several years but it had great flavor. With a coupon it was $15 for an XL.
They would have gotten 5 stars except for the girl running the register with the "I believe " tattoo on her back. She was RUDE Sneering at me the whole time I had to be there placing my order, she was unpleasant enough I almost walked out and got some Mexican. -
Review from Sandilee M.
Costa Mesa, CA
1/7/2012
Had a cold and ordered delivery from this place. The customer service was really good, they were really nice on the phone and accommodating, and the delivery guy was super nice & he delivered the pizza intact (not all smushed to the side like you sometimes get from other places!). The pizza was delicious---good cheese & topping "distribution." It wasn't as hot as I would've liked, but that's what happens with delivery sometimes and it was warm enough to be enjoyable. Good crust, not too thick (I prefer thin crust). If I need pizza delivery, this is my new place!
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Review from Pat N.
Costa Mesa, CA
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
I grew up on this pizza so, I guess I am partial. It is my favorite style of NY pizza: thin crust, cheesy, dripping with olive Oil. Also, Al is a great guy who I have had do a ton of catering and he does a great job with epic food. The best around for legit NYC pizza and pasta. Oh, the pastrami sandwich is off the chain.
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Review from KC O.
Sunset Beach, CA
1/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hit this place and you're bound to find loser high school kids in front of the adjacent 7-11 smokin' heaters and workin' on their filthy mouths.
You'll also find a pretty damn legit slice of NY style pizza. The slices are a little small and a bit light on the sauce but if the slice isn't undercooked...it's close to the real deal. The peperoni is on point too which is a rarity in SoCal. Nice job fellas.Listed in: PIZZA in OC/LA
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Review from Poachedeggs g.
Orange County, CA
12/5/2011
New York style pizza...Try it by the slice!
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Review from Peter P.
Newport Beach, CA
5/22/2011
I've been a customer of Al's for years (since 1999 or so) and always enjoy going there. There may have been some inconsistencies with flavor of the pizza sauce back in the day, but nothing to be cranky about. Al is always happy to say hi and "talk shop" whenever I see him.
2 slices and a drink are still $5 ???
Either I'm getting a good deal now, or was getting ripped-off then !! LOL....jk.
Cashiers and Drivers come and go, but most of the cooks are still the same...that has something to be said. -
Review from Archibald P.
Atlantic City, NJ
11/21/2010 1 Check-in Here
My favorite slice of pizza this side of the 55. Maybe ever. Oily as all hell. Makes the Parmesan and red pepper flakes stick to the slice and melt into the mozzarella just the way I like it.
I used to stop by this spot religiously, at least twice or three times a week when I was working nearby. It's location is awesome for an after-meal walk through the lot - I'd walk down to Ralph's across the street, smoke a cigar in front of La Cave, or just sit in my car and listen to the radio.
$5 for two huge slices and a refillable drink ain't bad in my book - especially when the pizza's this good. Not a fan of dodging through some of the high school crowd that gathers here, but I have to remind myself that too was a kid, and probably much worse to be around at that age than any of these little guys.
Drop by the 7-Eleven next door if you're looking to have a beer with your pie, and keep on... -
Review from Conrad J.
Orange, CA
12/19/2011
Good sandwiches and chicken parmesan. Service was great and Al was great. Parking was tough but the food was worth it.
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Review from Kate K.
San Diego, CA
4/4/2011
Al's would get five stars from me, but it's just not close ENOUGH to new york style pizza to get the full on fiver. BUT it is damn good, so I am definitely a fan.
Get the pizza or the calzones, and not a salad--not that salads are bad there, but seriously, why go to a pizza place to get a bowl of the toppings on some lettuce? I like just a regular old pepperoni pizza and then will head next door to the 7-11 while I wait to get drinks.
they also have lunch specials, in case you're into that; but I prefer to just get a pizza and go.
Honestly, I've been to NYC many times and used to live in Chicago, so I know good pizza, and this place is definitely worth a try or two if you've never been. -
Review from nick w.
Mission Viejo, CA
9/24/2011
I thought this place was good. We ordered a the NY pizza. The toppings were good and the price was okay. I asked for extra crispy and was a bit let down. If they had come through with the crust they would have had a solid 4 star review.
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Review from Jam S.
Orange County, CA
3/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pretty good NY style pizza...they have a $5 lunch special that gets you 2 huge slices (cooked just right but too oily) and a drink. Service was ok..nothing exceptional.
Good unhealthy alternative to the $5 subway footlong deal. -
Review from Robert D.
Huntington Beach, CA
4/2/2011
I love pizza so much and probably feed the addiction two or three times a week. Not three hundred pounds, because I drink hot tea immediately afterward to keep the belly down. Also have gin instead of beer.
Well, enough about me, and let's talk about Al's. Really good pizza slices. I'd definitely recommend eating it there onsite when it's fresh & hot out of the oven. Doesn't really travel all that well (cheese hardens). Need to try out their sandwiches as I'm sure they are tasty. Quality place. -
Review from Jenny L.
Arcadia, CA
11/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Al's pizza is better than pizza in NYC! I must chow down 2 slices of Al's white pizza when I'm in the area. My daughter's favorite is the baked ziti.
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Review from Raleigh H.
Costa Mesa, CA
2/8/2012
it's alright... although their pizza is really greasy the crust is fantastic. i haven't tried much of their other italian dishes but i'm not too impressed with the pizza.
