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Di Fara Pizza
Category: Restaurants Pizza Pizza [Edit]
1424 Ave JBrooklyn, NY 11230
Neighborhood: Midwood
(718) 258-1367
- Nearest Transit:
-
Avenue J (B, Q)
Avenue H (B, Q)
- Hours:
Wed-Sun 12 pm - 4:30 pm
Wed-Sun 6 pm - 9 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
936 reviews for Di Fara Pizza
Review Highlights
-
"Fresh basil on everything is wonderful." In 146 reviews -
"Some things in life are worth the wait." In 59 reviews -
"Domenico DeMarco." In 12 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
934 reviews in English
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Review from S P.
East Bay, CA
5/12/2012
Another 5 star review...
But there is a problem...
The children.
But it's okay because Dom knows better than to let them touch the pizzas.
Solid 5 stars. -
Review from Jonathan W.
Manhattan, NY
5/24/2012
3.5 Stars
Some friends rented a car for the day and we decided on driving out to Di Fara to grab a pie. The drive isn't too bad but from what I hear the long ride on the Q can be unbearable. What's worse, is that once you get there and place your order, your guaranteed to wait an additional 40 minutes to an hour before you get to eat.
Some tips for speedy eating:
-The store closes in the afternoon and opens back up for dinner. Get there around 30 minutes before it reopens. A line forms at the door, the closer you are to the front the earlier your order gets in.
- If the wait for a pie is unbearable, check behind the counter. They usually cook an extra pie for individual slices. GET THEM!
- Bring snacks and possibly a folding chair. We were 7th in line and waited an hour
The pizza is amazing. The old guy cooking knows what he is doing. However he is the only one making pies and only utilizes one of the six ovens so he can only cook two pies at a time. Though when your pie comes out of the oven and you watch that beautiful old man drizzle extra virgin olive oil, fresh cut basil, and parm cheese over your boiling hot pizza - you tend to let the other things slide. All in all, the pizza is very good but to trek out there, wait, wait, wait, stuff your face, then trek back may be more trouble than it is worth. -
Review from Michael L.
New York, NY
5/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
An institution, plain and simple.
We called in advanced because of the infamous wait, but when we arrived on a cloudy wednesday at around 2pm, there was NO wait, we ordered, got our pizza in about 15 minutes, inhaled it, left satisfied. I know this was a rarity, because the daughters of demarco said it. Watching the myth, the legend, the pizzamaker demarco is also a thing to see. They also list where they source their ingredients, and most if not all are from italy. Yes this place is pretty pricey, our pie was about $34, which we shared between 2 hungry guys. total satisfaction was the result. I would trek down here again for sure. The crust, the olive oil, the basil, the mozzarella. Till we meet again Di Fara's -
Review from Dave P.
5/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Delicious historic pizza.
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Review from JS K.
Brooklyn, NY
5/22/2012
Holy Sh*t!!! This is hands down the best pizza that i have ever had and it's such an experience going there. I am happy I was able to go with my family and cannot wait to go back.
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Review from Rafael T.
Brooklyn, NY
5/2/2012
This is not a pizza place for you to have a nice drink and hangout with your friends while a waiter serves you. Here you get what you came here for, pizza.
The place looks old and original like it was since day one. The pizza is simply amazing with real flavor to it. You can watch your pie being prepared while your mouth is watering... The staff(2 people) is courteous and makes you fell at home. Not the best pizza I've had in my life but definitely one of the best ones in the United States.
Go on a Sunday night and you will find the place pretty much empty, what makes the experience even better. My pie was ready to eat in 25 minutes and gone in 5 :D -
Review from Sang B.
5/7/2012
Okay... let me explain.
I am rating the overall experience of this place. But I'll break down the numbers first.
PIZZA: 4.5 stars
SERVICE: 2 stars
CLEANLINESS: 1 stars
ATMOSPHERE: 3 stars
(4.5+2+1+3)/4=2.625 rounded to 3 stars.
The pizza was great. It was really good. The different cheeses and the dough was excellent. I love how he was very generous with the basil. The tomato sauce was just tomato sauce (I think literally from the can). But it was cooked so well... 1 pie 2 people and we came out empty handed.
Service... I wish the lady in the front was more honest about the time it would take for the food to be ready. I mean, I knew I was walking into a long wait... but there are other things to do in the area (Coney Island or Prospect Park) but she said about 30mins which didn't feel like enough time to go to either or. So we walked around the neighborhood (which is dead on Saturday late afternoon). In the end... we got our pie about 1.5 hours after we ordered it. The line surprising wasn't that long... we were the 3rd people the order as soon as we walked in. Majority of the people were waiting for their food.
Cleanliness... wow. I am SO surprised that this place got an A. After taking a walk to the bathroom, I really wanted a shot of something hard to sanitize my stomach just in case. (By the way, does this guy ever go to the bathroom? in THAT bathroom?) He does not use gloves or plates or .... towels?
Atmosphere. This was very hole in the wall, dive place. It felt old, tattered and worn out. Nice! But the seating situation... annoying.
It is a little pricey ... but the food was worth it.
The pizza was definitely good but this is another tried it move on. Not going to become a frequently visitor here. But I am glad I have tried it. -
Review from Diana C.
Martinsburg, WV
4/21/2012
OUR FAVORITE NY PIZZA! This is easily pilgrimage pizza. There were people in there from Minnesota just for the pizza. I truly love to watch Dom DeMarco make the pies. I like to stand at the counter and just watch him work. A true artisan. He makes each one himself for 11 hours a day. He works nonstop creating each pie and has flour all over his shoes. His daughter was working at his side and even dealt with a heckler at the window with ease. Seriously, a pizza heckler?
Anyway, to me there are two main types of pizza in NYC. First you have the type with the big bubbly crust, the fresh mozzarella, and basil...I guess it's the margherita pizza type. Second, would be what I call NY style pizza with the thin crust and tangy sauce which is duplicated mostly in every little town and city. Then you have Di Fara which to me is in a league all of its own and leaves them all behind. It is gooey, cheesy, tangy sauce with random chunks of tomato, the basil is fresh and yet not overpowering somehow. Quality ingredients, three types of cheese. I love how he drizzles olive oil before he puts it in the oven. We seriously love this place. Our favorite pizza. The pizza dreams are made of. The pizza that is "last meal" worthy. We want to move closer to this pizza. Pack up and live on Avenue J in Brooklyn. It's that good. -
Review from Larry B.
REGO PARK, NY
5/19/2012
This Pizzeria is #1 & has prices to match. I guess when have the best then you have to pay for it. I compare coming here to going for a round of golf. You have to schedule at least 2 hours of your day cause it takes that long to get a pie. Slices come a little faster, but you might as well wait cause the slices are $5 each and a pie is $25 The customers stand around waiting like zombies in "Dawn of the Dead"
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Review from Greg S.
Baltimore, MD
4/24/2012
My 5-Star rating is purely in reference to the pizza - BEST PIZZA I'VE EVER HAD.
The atmosphere leaves much to be desired (hot, dirty & sparse), as does the process (lonnnng wait & jockeying with others for a table/seat) which you'll almost certainly have to go through to procure a pizza. However, there's a reason why people still come and pay $28.00 for a pizza - it's that f'ing good.
*Helpful hint: Apparently a lot of folks don't know that you can BYOB here - you can. I mean, if you're gonna experience the best pizza you've ever had, don't you want to wash it down with a tasty beverage?! -
Review from Jane H.
4/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Pizza = 5 stars
Why the 4 star rating?
1. No seating. Well there is, but it is a bunch of mismatched tables and chairs clumsily put together. Good luck finding a seat, too... With the volume of customers, you will have to huddle around a corner waiting for a party to leave.
2. OH THE WAIT! You come in and it instantaneously smells awesome, if you come hungry, you might suffer. The waits can be over an hour for your pizza, as Di Fara himself makes each and every pizza himself, crafting it, getting it in the oven, then breaking fresh basil and showering olive oil over the pie right before it meets the customer.
So really, if Yelp allowed half stars, this would be 4.5.
Note: They close between lunch and dinner. So no Linner, if you ever thought about planning for that. -
Review from Jando S.
3/9/2012 3 Check-ins Here
There are pizzerias in every direction in New York, but the finest pizza may just be in Brooklyn. Lots of wonderful pizza, but only one Di Fara. Some people would prefer it this way, but few would disagree Midwood's greatest asset is a pizza lovers dream. It's far from perfect, but that's part of what makes their pies among the very best.
Despite owning and operating Di Fara's for the better part of four decades, Dom DeMarco still churns out pies with his bare hands, carefully mastering his craft with each pizza, topping them off with a little olive oil and freshly snipped basil. He might be at times slow, but with a little patience and appreciation, a pie made by one of the pizza gods himself is a real treat.
There are some issues at hand that many folks just can't seem to get over. Yes, it's far in Brooklyn. Midwood is no place to enjoy post-pizza festivities and coming 40 minutes outside of the city can be torture for those who have a hard time leaving 14th street. It's also cash only - at $5 a slice and practically $30+ for a pie, which makes this hardly budget pizza. They have odd hours, sometimes delaying their start time and will close for 3 days straight at a moment's notice. They rarely answer their phone and a wait of 30-40 minutes is completely normal.
But knowing those things ahead of time, makes it easy to avoid the pitfalls and nix the surprises. Bring lots of cash and bring a drink of choice (BYOB!). Split the pie with some friends or shoot for pizza on the go. Don't just show up and get a slice unless you live in the neighborhood and are just coming by for a casual slice. Those who do this are destined for instant disappointment - long subway rides for an expensive slice of pizza is a disaster in the making.
And though I do love their regular slices, I think there is a better bang for your buck by going strictly sicilian. The hearty square slices, along with my favorite toppings of sausage and pepperoni, three cheeses and fresh basil make for a helluva pizza. It's tasty, it's fresh, and for me, worth the wait. The old adage of "good things come to those who wait" has never been more true.
When Dom decides to hang it up and enjoy the high life, it will be the end of an era. While I'm sure Dom Jr. (who is often seen helping out) is also a master in his own right, his father has established a pizza legacy that has put their family business on the map. With that in mind, it's best to enjoy what might arguably be NYC's best pizza while you still can. -
Review from Janice D.
3/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Come on people we live in New York Freakin City where there is SO MUCH delicious Pizza! If I lived in the area I would give 5 stars, but the trek, wait, and dirty conditions are not worth it to me. The slice is DELICIOUS, fresh, perfect ingredients, but its in the middle of nowhere Brooklyn and every time I have gone, I have gone by car. I cant imagine taking trains, buses, and waiting online for this slice. For some miracle too I have never had to wait too long, so again I cant imagine people waiting online for hours plus the travel. I think its more to say you have done it than it actually being that good.
Also is it just me or have the slices gotten smaller and burnter*?
____________________________
* I invent words -
Review from estephanie p.
Brooklyn, NY
5/18/2012
amazing!!!!! that's all i have to say!!!
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Review from Rose C.
New York, NY
3/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
I got here around 8:15pm on a Saturday and there was no wait. Yes!
As I stood at the counter, I saw three pies come out of the oven. Two were horribly burnt and one was just perfect. For a second, I actually thought Dom was going to throw away the burnt pizzas. I mean, why the hell would you serve really burnt, tasteless pizza? But NOPE, he still sold those pies to some poor people. He drizzles HELLA olive oil and scissors basil on top of each pie. Each slice is different in that it could be soaking in olive oil and/or you may have a little piece of basil. This inconsistency sucks.
I was praying my slice wouldn't be burnt but a part of it was. The areas that wasn't burnt was great but not the burnt areas. The crust was crunchy and had the perfect amount of ingredients. Was it memorable? Somewhat.
Sorry, Dom, but I won't be returning to your pizzeria. I can see why you got closed down from the Health Department for several days. The restaurant and their aprons are a filthy mess. I saw the guy handling cash and food without ever washing their hands. I actually got a stomachache for several hours afterwards. Totally not worth my $5 and time. -
Review from Venancio C.
Brooklyn, NY
4/29/2012
Schoolin' it up near by (exercise science grad at BC, affectionately labeled "Broken College"), and while I sought to quite a craving of carbs away from the usual fare of chicken and rice or big-name fast food right outside campus. Then I realized the obvious: a calorie-bomb of a pizza slice is just a few blocks down, y'kno, so I could earn back all that was lost from my morning workout. So, I speed-walked over and order a slice (Big mistake. Big. Huge! ...I ordered a second.) from Avenue J's gem, and didn't mind the NYCish price--many of the ingredients were imports. Sad that the basil was out that day. I love basil. Ate one there, unwillingly eavesdropping on two Russian ladies carried a loud conversion about how fresh each other's groceries were in half-Russian/half English (Russlish? Englsian?). Triumphantly returned to campus, a warm Sicilian inside a greasy paper bag in tow.
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Review from Leonard L.
Brooklyn, NY
2/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
Di Fara's might be the mecca to some pizza aficionados but not to this pilgrim.
Had ordered a plain pie yesterday and waited roughly around 20 mins which seems to be pretty fast based on the stories I've heard.
The owner Dom DeMarcos Sr definitely knows his pizza as he could be seen tending to it like a parent tending to their kid. As the pie was taken out and put into a box, it was left there to cool for a few mins. The finishing touches was to follow...
1) a healthy dusting of paramigiano reggiano
2) hand cut basil on top
3) another very healthy dose of olive oil
Overall the pizza is decent. My only gripe would be the paramigiano & the olive oil as they make the pizza too salty and oily for my taste.
P.S. -
28 dollars for a plain pie.
5 dollars for a single slice.
P.P.S
What's up with the floor being littered with used napkins? -
Review from Rajeev I.
Wayne, PA
4/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Despite all the hype, and the health crises and other noise, the pizza is still good. Is it worth going 40 minutes out of the way from New York for a slice... Meh. Is it worth doing to see a legend in the making with a bunch of friends and some drinks... Absolutely!!!!
Loved the Sicilian pie!!! -
Review from Will C.
There's a lot of hype surrounding this place. So I just had to witness for myself being kind of a self-professed pizza snob. So I took the Q train all the way down to Avenue J, AND NOT TO SEE CONEY ISLAND. JUST FOR THIS PIZZA. hopped off the subway, and found myself on Avenue J. And, but for a Game Stop and Walgreen's, this is the only establishment of note on this side of the subway!
The ordering means is chaos. There's no set lines, you just move yourself to the counter, get your order placed. It's all made fresh to order. I ended up waiting 40 MINUTES for my two slices of regular w/ pepperoni.
When the pizza comes out, Dom sprinkles it with parmigiano reggiano, fresh basil, and EVO. I think the pizza's very good, and rates a 4.5. Tomato sauce is very smooth, light (not chunky), very inoffensive, and fresh. The crust has just enough bite to make it crunchy, but also very foldable. Not quite the best NY slice I've ever had, but certainly rates very good. I'm personally not a fan of the extra parmigiano that goes on the slice. I think it's unnecessary, makes it a bit too salty, and might even cloud the otherwise subtle flavors of this pizza. Perhaps a true litmus test would be to just try the pizza as a 'virgin' before she's been deflowered.
Pizza slice at $6 is rather small as well for what you pay. And, let's face it, walking through Avenue J to kill some time while you wait for your pizza is just like walking through a ghost town. Just about every store is locked up. Luckily, this place is right off the metro. While you're waiting, you can stare in the direction of the subway so that at least there's some illusion of civilization.
Several customers in front of me had a pie that was just horribly burnt through 1/2 the pie. It's surprising how inconsistent these pizzas come out despite THE ONE CONSTANT: THERE IS ONLY ONE DOM MAKING THEM! After eating through half of the pizza, one of them wanted her money back. Which was kind of absurd... you just ate through half the fvcking slice, but the guy handling the cash register obliged. Good on him.
So I guess I consider myself lucky to have two non-crispy slices.
If you're a pizza connoisseur, I think it's worth checking this place. If you're not, you just may not understand what the big deal is. And, you'd be right. On the surface, there really isn't much that separates di Fara's from any other pizza shop in NYC.
Overall: Would I come here again? Only if I had no place to be and all the time in the world. What? Who in NY has that kind of time?! Pizza is a 4.5. But, this place is just way too far a trek. If I have to wait 40 minutes for pizza, plus 40 minutes at least round-trip from Manhattan, it'd better be worth it. Honestly, as good as the pizza is, it didn't blow my mind. NOT WORTH THE WAIT, but because it is pretty darn good pizza... a solid 4 stars.Listed in: Everybody likes a Pizza Snob
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Review from Allison C.
New York, NY
2/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
After our first few bites, my friend Emilie straight out asked me, "Well...how are you going to rate this on Yelp?" with a slight *myeh* look on her face.
(She knows me too well.)
I sat at a table, looking at four seemingly plain slices of pizza, drooling from hunger but holding back tears over the fact that I was staring at $24 dollars worth of pizza. Over our table hung an article that stated why, at $4 per slice (with no attentional toppings), people were still flocking to Di Fara.
Broken down (sadly, I had to get out my calculator to divide 4 into 24, and I'm sure my second grade teacher is spinning in her grave as we speak), we spent $6 a slice for a cheese pizza with garlic and onion.
...dude.
Taste wise? An absolute delight. The crust? Watery, soggy, and barely able to hold its integrity.
We just made it before the "close for dinner" lockdown. The door was locked behind us, with the workers letting us out in waves as each of us finished our "ordered before 4 p.m." pizza. Felt a little off to be at the mercy of the workers...haha...but when people that couldn't read the "closed" sign and tried to open the doors, it totally made sense.
'Twas a fun adventure down through Brooklyn, despite major issues with the Q train, and I'm glad to say I've been to Di Fara. However, do I see myself making a return trip? Honey...I live in Washington Heights. I don't go anywhere I don't have to. I have no reason to go from the comfort of Pinehurst Avenue to Avenue J in Brooklyn, and Di Fara isn't reason enough for me to make the venture. Good pizza, but I know where to find good pizza closer to my 'hood. -
Review from Ben L.
2/27/2012
We randomly decided to make the trek here one day, oblivious of the their hours. By chance we arrived at 6:10pm, 20 mins before they opened and 2nd in line. Lucky. Real lucky.
We tried 3 different slices, clocking in at $18 in total. You kiddin me? Alright fine, but the pizza better be good. It was. It is. It's almost identical to Lucali's style, which now makes sense after being told that Lucali's owner learned his craft from Di Fara's Dom himself. So the pizza, therefore, is unreal. The olive oil. The basil. The garlic.
To enjoy virtually the same amazing pizza, but with BYOB and candlelight, i'll take Lucali's every time. One star off for paying $6 per slice. -
Review from Evan M.
I still don't get it. I just don't. People are like sheep I guess. I thought I would give this place another chance to figure out why anyone would want to pay $5.00 for a slice that is half the size than any normal slice. Two slices here is a light snack.
Pizza purists and Zagats alike continue to call this the best pizza in NYC. It's good but not great. Reputation and longevity does not justify the price markup. I think the only competition this place has in the immediate area is a kosher pizza place. It was also pretty greasy for such a small slice. It's a thin crust that is very similar to the margarita slice at Artichoke's.
I know two stars is pretty harsh but this pizza is just decent and doesn't live up to the accolades. I would give it three stars if it wasn't for the outrageous prices. To the people that disagree: I think I have a bridge I can sell you.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/11/2011
Came here because of the hype but left disappointed. Slice is ok but not worth $5 a slice… Read more »
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Review from Alre H.
2/8/2012
Eat It OR Beat It?
**EAT IT!!**
OK... never have I waited for a pizza for 2.5-3 hrs... until I came to Di Fara's. Worth it? Not if I have to wait 2+ hrs for a whole pizza pie... delicious? yes! And unlike most Yelpers, I am not going to knock down a star because I waited forever. This place was crazy packed and the walls were decorated with dozens of awards! Reason for the long wait is because one older man touches and creates the pizza. Need I say more?
CONCLUSION:
EAT IT! But be sure you aren't hungry and be ready to wait for at least an hour plus! -
Review from Tash R.
Manhattan, NY
4/14/2012
Well worth the wait! Will happily wait again for another pie! I think this is better than Grimaldis and one of the best i've had in New York!
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Review from Robert B.
San Francisco, CA
2/18/2012
The wait is very, very long. The pizza is very good. Though nothing exceptional.
It is, in my opinion, worth the trip (and the wait) once. But honestly I don't think I will repeat the experience.
However, I will have to admit that watching the owner operating his business is very interesting and adds a something to the experience. -
Review from JD D.
Manhattan, NY
4/9/2012
Difara is simply as good as it gets. Expect to wait and expect exorbitant prices for pizza but I think it is well worth it. A considerable hike from Manhattan ,making the pilgrimage to the pizza mecca is a must for anyone that considers themself a pizza afficionado. Its a real treat to watch dom demarco handcrafting each circular masterpiece. He treats each pizza as a real meal NOT just fast food or a quick bite to eat so give the man some time to work his magic. The olive oil Basil and crisp crust give this pizza its distinct flavor. The real joy comes when dom hand scissors the final pieces of fresh Basil on your pie, at this point you will be starving from the wait, and you are ready to begin your feast. Dom is no spring chicken (as you would gather from the photos) so there might not be many pizzas left in this man so if you haven't been run dont walk to difara.
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Review from Austin A.
Brooklyn, NY
1/23/2012
Thinking about what I would say in this review has made me hungry and frustrated. Frustrated because DiFara's isn't a stones throw away from me.
Best square slice I've ever seen, touched, heard, smelled and tasted. Topped with fresh home garden grown basil. Not too greasy considering the oil drizzle before it goes in the oven. Sizzles in the tray coming out of the oven and what a sight as it steams up the waiting area. The sauce and bufalo mozzarella are insane, and it's far and away the best crust I've ever had. Best pizza I've ever had, and possibly best meal I've ever had.
Oh, and to top it off, they grate fresh parmigiana cheese for sprinkling before you indulge. Unbelievable experience. Anyone who says otherwise can't taste. -
Review from Brian B.
2/18/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Simply the best pie I've ever had. Thought it opened at 6 and it turned out to be 6:30p, so we were first in line and upon getting inside quickly found one of the very few available seats. The pie we got was the DiFara special, came with sausage, onions, peppers and mushrooms, pretty much every topping I love on a pizza. But what tied everything together was the fresh basil that the owner Dom grows in his window and the combination of the buffalo mozzarella and parmesan reggiano.
Be prepared to be set back at least $30-$40 for a pie, but it's worth your while at least once. -
Review from Ana C.
Brooklyn, NY
2/2/2012
I am cheap but I also appreciate quality. $5 for a pizza IS high and I live on a budget--no question. The thing is the pizza is good--it doesn't leave you filling bloated or grossed out. It's oily but it tastes healthy. It's not your every day pizza, its gourmet pizza. I got a plain slice but there was basil on it and I could taste the freshness. It brings pizza to a new level. I know people who travel from other boroughs to buy a slice, and tourists from around the world make sure to hit this place up. My friend is one of these people! I wouldn't make the extra trip but if I was in the neighborhood and felt like splurging I would definitely stop by.
Toppings - $1, Special Toppings - $2
They don't do pasta.
Wait: I waited an hour.
Also, I'm mixed about the interior. It is very old school and small. They should definitely expand for more tables if they can. Also, there is no bathroom. -
Review from avani a.
New York, NY
4/15/2012
This place is great. The artichoke and the regular are my favorite and I love the liberal application of basil. Yeah you'll wait in line sometimes, and you might get an occasional slice that is a little greasy-but it's tried and true and pretty damn good. It's not trying to ride the over wrought gourmet wave and its not a schlubby frat boy's 4am goto. And I know there is good pizza all over the city. If you feel that way, don't come here. It's ok. Just stop crying about it.
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Review from Manny P.
Burbank, CA
3/2/2012
I'm from Brooklyn, and been around a lot of pizza joints, this one takes the prize as best pizza ever. Totally fresh with great ingredients. I see people complaining about the burned pizza they get; it's Mr DiFara making it, so it's gonna have some burns (maybe). So it's unusual.
I'm not gonna go on about the wait, the line, the heat and lack of space. Go there with a plan, one finds a seating area and waits, while the other gets in line and order. Go, enjoy it. It's worth the damn wait. Trust me. -
Review from Raymond L.
Brooklyn, NY
1/1/2012
If you are looking for the best pizza you can put in your mouth, Di Fara is the place to go. Getting off the Avenue J stop, it is situated on the corner with an old yet bold sign that reads PIZZA. Perhaps an even more telling sign that you have come to the right place is the crowd of people waiting outside what looks, to the untrained eye, like another run-down pizza establishment. Once inside, however, your pizza journey begins..
Your first conquest is waiting in line. Expect at least a minimal wait in off hours and up to a substantial wait during peak hours. As your turn arrives, tell the nice lady what you would like to order. While there are a variety of toppings, combinations, and cuts, do not fret as they are all something to try. The prices are steep...$5 for a regular plain slice and $28 for a pie. That is a premium price but expect no less than a premium slice/pie. The lady will take your name and write down your order.
Now comes your second and perhaps most challenging conquest, which is waiting for your food. This wait can last anywhere between 30-60 minutes. What you do as you watch others get their beautifully made pizzas is entirely up to you. Your favorite tunes and some companionship will help to ease this leg of the journey. Make sure you are around to hear your name being called. It will happen, and when it does, you can finally get to the best part.
It is time to eat! But before you chow down, take a moment to take a look at what is front of you. In a paper plate is the best pizza New York has to offer. Nobody but Mr. DeMarco knows exactly what makes it so special. Is it the freshly cut basil that adds that extra flavor? Or perhaps the drizzle of olive oil in the sauce? Maybe it is that delicate sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. It could be all of these things. Whatever it is, it tastes darn good.
Your first bites of the pizza melts every other thought away. The hour-long wait you just endured? Gone. The $5 you had to cough up per slice? Gone. You are left with thoughts of nothing but the finest combination of crust, cheese, sauce, and toppings running through your mouth. After finishing the pizza, however, some may have realized their journey has ended. One may find oneself to experience mild depression. This is of course until you realize that another $5 could buy you another 5 minutes in pizza heaven. Even the wait becomes more bearable when you learn of different ways to deal with it...playing games on your phone...reading a novel...writing a Yelp review for your favorite pizza restaurant. Before you know it your name will be called and you can be reminded yet again what makes Di Fara Pizza the very best. -
Review from Foodie F.
Oakland, CA
1/16/2012
Best slice in my world!! I'm far away Dom, but your pizza is my permanent reference when it comes to... well, pizza:)
I use to live at the top floor of that magical little corner of Brooktown, and I can't remember a day passing by with me not stopping automatically at Di Faras to long lines for that divine slice. It's like a pizza from another planet, and a good planet (I thank u Steve Jobs)!
You are a true artist Dom. The sauce, the cheese (3 or 4 kinds of those, including real bufala mozzarella and imported parmigiano reggiano), watching you pouring that olive oil before you send it to the oven where she is slowly, wondrously brought into being. You're putting all of that love into each pie, and taking your sweet time at that.. the lines are long at Di Faras but only cause Dom can stop time. Expect about 1-2 hours wait, and in the summer you don't want to wait inside since the place can get blazing hot and that shitty ceiling fan wont really help.
I had a lot of pizza in New York, and there are some really good other spots (L&B Spumoni if u like sicilian, Lucali, John's in the village, Grimaldi's...) but I really think that Dom is the thin crust Leonardo Da Vinci of our time.
I'm thinking of you (the pizza, not the dude that makes it) and Jamiroquai's Little L comes to mind. We shall meet again.. -
Review from Miche M.
Yonkers, NY
1/24/2012
We waited for 45 AGONIZING minutes for this one slice of HEAVEN. My only regret was not ordering two of these bad boys.
This pizza is hands down the absolute best I have ever tasted, ever. The basil, oil, freshly grated parm on top after it comes out? Simply magically delicious! I am going back. This is not hype. I cannot wait! I think about this one slice in an unhealthy, almost obsessive way. -
Review from Yuliya K.
Brooklyn, NY
2/15/2012
Oh, Di Fara...what can I say about you? We went here because of the hype. Over an hour wait (did I mention we were SECOND in line?) and....eh, it's ok.
First of all, the place is smaller than my kitchen and was not air conditioned (middle of summer)! It gets super crowded (thank you, hype) and even was filled with smoke at one point. One adorable old man that makes the pizza, it's fun just watching him! The woman that takes the orders is super sweet.
Second, it's not the cleanest of places. Before you go, you should know it has received low health inspection marks and has even been SHUT DOWN over the summer (ew!)! You can tell when you walk in that it's not spotless.
I gotta say, it's really good pizza but the wait and clean conditions are turn offs. The quality of the ingredients is great, fresh basil was a nice touch. As good as the pizza is, waiting that long when you're hungry makes anything taste good lol. However, be prepared for the insane wait and less than stellar cleanliness. -
Review from Chris K.
Los Angeles, CA
1/8/2012
You're in New York. The pizza capital of the United States. There is a pizza shop on every corner and 9 out of 10 of them serve at least a decent slice, with most serving a delicious slice.
So why would you need to travel all the way to Midwood to wait an hour for a $6 pepperoni slice? The pizza would have to be orgasmic to justify that, no?
Well, it's not. It is good but it's not CRAZY good. The basil and olive oil are a very nice touch, but the crust is usually charred and the toppings are scarce. Honestly, if the lines weren't long and chaotic, and if the prices weren't so insane, I would be impressed by the use of quality, fresh ingredients. I might even go on a regular basis. Yes, it's good pizza. Yes, it's one of the better pizzas in the city. But it's not worthy of the hype and the wait and the money.
To top it off, it routinely gets shut down by the health department. I can shrug off a B rating for great food, but it's just icing on the cake for the BS you have to deal with at Di Fara. No thanks...I'll go to one of the thousands of other joints in the city. -
Review from Angelique A.
Ozone Park, NY
1/7/2012
This place is the perfect example of hype. Basically someone declares that this is the best pizza ever and everyone else has to give it a try. Being that people are mostly sheep, all of sudden there are hour long waits and $5 a slice charge for pizza. Give me a break. I can only say that the positive reviewers are either tourists, typically eat Dominos Pizza, or just embarassed to admit that they've been scammed. On a Saturday afternoon, with the exception of myself, my brother and one other guy, everyone in the restaurant was a tourist. I'm talking dudes who wear sweaters tied over their shoulders preppy style (I didn't even know people still did that) and people who take pictures of themselves with the pizza (rolling my eyes).
My brother and I ordered a round pie to go. I got a square slice while we were waiting. The square slice was average at best, totally disappointing. After about 45 minutes waiting, they tried to give my brother a burnt pie. In typical NYer fashion he said, that pie is burnt I don't want it. We had to wait a few extra minutes but they obliged and gave him the next pie and gave the burnt pie to some poor shmucks. I will admit the pizza itself was delicious. Was it worth $5 a slice or the wait? Absolutely not! I've had better pizza locally all over NY (especially New Park in Queens). Being a foodie, I'm happy I tried it, but I would never eat here again. IF it were cheaper and didn't have ridiculous lines, I would probably eat here all the time. -
Review from Vanessa K.
Brooklyn, NY
12/17/2011
Over the last 6 months or so, my friends and I have been on a quest to find the best slice of pizza in NYC by trying 16 different highly rated places. Di Fara's was one of them. I made the trek out to Midwood walked into Di Fara's and my eyes immediately started burning from the gusts of smoke in the dining area. It was packed, my party had to stand for about 20 minutes before getting a table. It takes about 45 mins to an hour to get your pizza, we ordered 2 pies, one with cheese and one with mushrooms and garlic. Just as my stomach started eating my back, the pizza was ready.
Pretty thin crust, half of which was charred on both pizzas. The cheese was good, not too much of it. The distinguishing characteristic of the pizza was the basil. It was cut fresh by a really old italian guy at the counter. The pizza was also a little too greasy, as if they poured olive oil over the top of it. Overall, I wouldn't make the trek out to Midwood just for this pizza, and they are about $30 a pop, and its not a comfortable place to enjoy your pizza. -
Review from Victoria C.
San Francisco, CA
4/1/2012
Oh wow, this place was delicious! I just had a regular slice, but boy it was amazing! They do make you wait (I came in and the first thing the guy said to me is that it'd be about a 10 minute wait for slices) because they only serve fresh slices. You get to watch the guy make each pie and how he checks on them in the oven using only his bare hands. When it comes out he puts fresh parmesan, basil, and olive oil on it. It's best to let the slice rest a bit once you've gotten it to let the cheese melt and the crust to get more crispy. There isn't all that much seating, but there's a decent amount. It is expensive at $5 a slice, but people pay it for good reason. Next time I'll have to try the Sicilian.
-
Review from Louis W.
Flushing, NY
1/30/2012
Overall, Di Fara's pizza is OK. Don't get me wrong! The pizza is pretty good. Traditionally hand-made, fresh ingredients, basil topped, brick oven-baked. That's all really nice. And I can also appreciate the story of Domenico DeMarco and how he also slowly hand makes ALL of the pizza's with love and expertise.
But for the price, it's just too expensive compared to all the other pizzas I've eaten before. It might be the hype, the fresh ingredients, I don't know! A plain square sized pie is almost $30. With three drinks, total came out to $36. Really pricey. And because of this, it has to be AWESOME, not just pretty good. Some other gripes I have is that our pizza was really burnt around some parts of the crust. I mean blackened. Not a huge fan of that. And it was really saucy. This might be a preference thing. I guess one thing I can appreciate is that we didn't have to wait very long for the pizza (about 10-15 minutes). I've heard about this place's legendary wait times and I'm glad I didn't have to go through that for a pretty good $30 pizza pie.
Read more reviews for this business:
Italian (1),
Spanish (1)
