Scarr’s Pizza, a New York City favorite celebrated for its perfect slices, has officially opened its doors at a new, expanded location. Located at 35 Orchard Street, New York, NY, this highly anticipated opening marks a significant step for the beloved pizzeria. The new Scarr’s Pizza Orchard Street location is situated directly across from the original slice shop, which has now closed its doors after years of dedicated service. Despite the move to a larger venue, eager customers were seen lined up down the block, a testament to Scarr’s enduring appeal.
The new Scarr’s Pizza at 35 Orchard Street offers extended hours to satisfy pizza cravings. According to their website, pizza lovers can indulge in Scarr’s creations from Friday and Saturday, 12 p.m. to midnight, and on Sundays and Thursdays, from 12 to 11 p.m. This expansion allows more patrons to experience what has been consistently lauded as a benchmark for New York-style pizza.
Scarr Pimentel, the owner and driving force behind Scarr’s Pizza, is a notable figure in the city’s culinary scene as one of the few Black pizza makers achieving widespread acclaim. The New York Times recently recognized Scarr’s Pizza as one of the top 100 restaurants in New York, solidifying its status as a must-visit destination for pizza aficionados. Since its inception in 2016, Scarr’s has garnered attention not only for its classic New York slices but also for its unique practice of milling its own grains, a commitment to quality that sets it apart.
Pimentel’s journey to pizza perfection is rooted in experience gained at various iconic establishments. Reports from Grub Street detail his formative years working at Emilio’s Ballato and honing his skills at old-school pizzerias like Lombardi’s, as well as popular slice chains such as Artichoke Pizza and Joe’s. This diverse background ultimately inspired him to venture out and establish his own pizzeria, Scarr’s Pizza, which has since become a Lower East Side institution. Scarr’s Pizza’s cultural impact extends beyond the culinary world, with collaborations ranging from lifestyle brand Timberland to the acclaimed film company A24. Notably, Scarr’s created signature merchandise for the Joaquin Phoenix film C’mon C’mon, which even featured a scene filmed within the original restaurant.
The relocation to a larger space on Orchard Street has been a long-term project, initially reported in March 2020, driven by the desire to accommodate Scarr’s ever-growing fanbase. The new Scarr’s Pizza dining area presents a more modern ambiance compared to the original location, which was once described in Natasha Pickowicz’s Grub Street diet as having a distinctive ’70s clubhouse vibe. Looking ahead, the original Scarr’s Pizza space is slated to transform into an omakase sushi counter, as reported by Grub Street in November 2022. This exciting development will feature a chef connected to “the Jiro tree,” adding another layer of culinary diversity to Orchard Street. Interestingly, initial plans for 22 Orchard Street included a vegan slice shop, but this concept has since been revised.
The new Scarr’s Pizza at 35 Orchard Street, New York, NY, represents not just a bigger space, but an evolution of a New York pizza landmark. Fans and newcomers alike can now enjoy Scarr’s exceptional pizza in a more spacious and updated setting, continuing the legacy of quality and craftsmanship that has made Scarr’s Pizza a true NYC gem on Orchard Street.
