Some say that to really know New York, you need to have strong opinions on where to find the best pizza in the city. OK, so maybe I say that, but I swear by this simple test. If your response is passionate and all five boroughs are pondered, I know I’m talking to a serious aficionado. Anyone who can wax poetic about coal versus wood, the perfect ratio of sauce to cheese, or the level char on the crust clearly loves New York pizza.

So let’s just get to the point. Some of the best slices in New York are up at Patsy’s Pizza in East Harlem, and lucky for me, it’s in my neighborhood just a short stroll away. Patsy’s pizza lineage is renowned in this city. And complicated. But all you need to know is how to get the melt-in-your-mouth, expertly cooked, thin crusted, perfectly balanced, tomato sauce and mozzarella slice in New York. And the best part? Each slice is only $2.00. And a whole pie is only $ 13. That’s not a typo. That’s a small price to pay for perfection.

P.S. Don’t even try to ask for a pepperoni slice. They only have cheese.