Sometimes you really need to bring an expert to do a proper food review. For Guido’s Original New York Style Pizzeria, I did just that. Who better than bringing a native New Yorker who grew up on New York Style pizza and of course, the places that sell it ‘by the slice’. We drove up to Guido’s and entered, noticing first the glass counter area where 5 pans of pizzas with slices missing were prominently displayed. My New York expert gave an approving nod—-so far it looked right. On the counter, one of the pizza makers was stretching pizza dough, for a stromboli or a pizza or a sausage roll. So far, it looked just like Marina Restaurant and Pizza in Harriman, New York, which is a good thing.

Ordering is simple at Guido’s New York Style Pizzeria, just wait in line and pick your slices. You can also order a whole pizza, or the stromboli or sausage roll, two classic New York stuffed specialties. Just like at Marina, Guido’s serves the slices on cheap paper plates, just like in New York. But what would we find at the table? We grabbed napkins and straws for the table and then came the question—did they have the right stuff to finish the pizza like the real New York slice places do? Next to the napkins were shaker bottles, full of oregano, garlic powder, parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes. Another approval—-they had the right stuff!

The slices at Guido’s Original New York Style Pizzeria were warm and ready for us in a minute. Served on the paper plates on a cafeteria tray, it still was exactly like New York. As we shared tastes, we were pleased with the pizza. The crust was thin and just baked right, with a few touches of burnt crust and a nice crunch when you bit into the slice. The toppings were good, with choices like pepperoni, vegetable and even a ‘white’ pizza—-sausage, peppers and other toppings on a slice without tomato sauce. The grease—not much, but it wouldn’t be a real New York slice without some grease from real cheese and meats. I looked to my New York friend, but she was too busy eating her slice to do anything but smile. Of course, that could have been also because of the décor—-flags from the New York Giants and Jets, pennants and jerseys from the Mets and photos from all around New York.

Shortly after the slices were finished, the made to order fresh stromboli was brought to the table, kindly cut in half for us. The hot cheese was flowing out slightly from the package of doughy goodness, filled with the mozzarella cheese, peppers, onion and sausage. The crust was a nice golden brown, soft and crispy at the same time. The stromboli came with some nice marinara to use on it. Again, I looked to get an opinion, but all I got was “it’s just like New York”. I guess that says it all. Guido’s Original New York Style Pizzeria had passed the toughest test and satisfied a real New Yorker.

Guido’s Original New York Style Pizzeria

235 North 5th Street

Boise Idaho 83702

208-345-9011

12375 Chinden Blvd., Suite G

Boise, Idaho 83713

208-376-1008

Guido’s Facebook Page