Old-school Italian-American charm, w/ celeb history & classic red-sauce dishes. A taste of NYC past.
Step into a piece of NYC history at this classic Italian-American institution, famed for its red-sauce dishes and as a former haunt of Frank Sinatra. While some find the ambiance and traditional fare nostalgic, others suggest the quality has waned over the years. It's a place that evokes a strong sense of old-school charm, perfect for those seeking a quintessential New York dining experience.
This restaurant is known for its Italian-American red-sauce cuisine, with pizza being frequently mentioned. While many recommend it for its classic, old-school vibe and dishes reminiscent of Frank Sinatra's era, a significant number of reviews suggest that the food quality is no longer what it once was, with some even labeling it a tourist trap. Pizza, in particular, receives mixed reviews, with some enjoying it and others finding it average or noting issues with sogginess or uneven cooking.
"Patsy's is frequently recommended for its classic Italian-American red-sauce dishes and pizza. The 'Patsy special pie' is specifically mentioned as a favorite, particularly at the Harlem location."
Customer opinions are divided, with some praising the classic ambiance and traditional dishes, while others feel the food quality has declined and suggest it may be more of a tourist attraction than a culinary destination.
Important Note
Some reviews suggest the food quality has declined over the years and may not be worth it if high-quality cuisine is the priority. There is also a historical legal dispute with another pizzeria over the name 'Patsy's'. Some Manhattan locations may not offer pizza by the slice.
"This user recommended Patsy's (located in the 56th St/8th ave area) as an 'old classic' Italian restaurant."
Positive"The user has not tried the Harlem Patsy's location and notes that their past experience with a Manhattan location was long ago, adding that nearby locations may not serve slices."
Neutral"The user inquired about the difference between the original Patsy's in Harlem and its Manhattan franchises, and whether the Manhattan locations sell slices."
Neutral"The user mentions that there are several Patsy's locations in Manhattan and suggests that many of them may not offer pizza by the slice, despite the establishment's history of popularizing it."
Neutral"The user notes that there are multiple Patsy's locations in Manhattan and that the pizza is good, though perhaps not life-changing. They also mention that some locations might not sell slices."
Positive"The user considered Patsy's in Harlem but deemed it too far for their 5-day trip."
Neutral"The user suggests supporting local pizzerias like Patsy's over chains like Wonder or Domino's."
Positive"This user suggested Patsy's as a better alternative for lasagna compared to Carmine's."
Positive"This user suggested Patsy's on West 56th Street as a better option than John's of 12th for Italian-American red sauce cuisine."
Positive"The commenter recommended Patsy's for pizza."
Positive"Patsy's, a sit-down pizza restaurant in Midtown, was suggested as an option for groups looking for a meal."
Neutral"Delivery orders from Patsy's can sometimes result in a soggy pizza."
Negative"Regarding pizza crust preference, Patsy's can be chewy, and the knockoff versions in Midtown also offer a chewy fold."
Neutral"Despite enjoying ordering from Patsy's, dining in is not recommended due to slow service and an outdated, unkempt environment."
Negative"The "Patsy special pie" in Harlem is a top-rated dish, noted for its garlic flavor."
Positive"For Patsy's, ordering the pizza 'well done' is recommended if you are unsure about liking it, as it can sometimes be a bit soft."
Neutral"While takeout from the original Patsy's is good, dining in has resulted in soggy, undercooked pizza multiple times."
Negative"Patsy's is great for dining in; the thin crust pizza is enjoyable and can be finished in one sitting."
Positive"A slice of pizza from Patsy's in Harlem last summer, fresh out of the oven, was very good."
Positive"Patsy's is still excellent for dining in."
Positive
