Buzz
While there may be no such thing as truly bad pizza, particularly in New York City, some slices are starting to leave a sour impression. This is because the city's iconic $1 slice deals are becoming harder to come by.
As reported by The New York Post, a mix of inflation, supply-chain disruptions, and labor shortages are contributing to the rising cost of pizza. At 2 Bros. Pizza on 8 Avenue, a sign once advertising $1 slices now includes a notice that pizza prices have risen to $1.50.
Oren Halali, co-owner of 2 Bros. Pizza, explained to the Post that the price hike is due to the rising costs of everything from napkins to flour to pizza toppings, breaking the longstanding $1 tradition.
Lenny Giordano, another pizzeria owner, shared details on social media about the rising costs. He pointed out that garlic prices had surged by an astonishing 400 percent. A package of pizza boxes that once cost $16 is now priced at $30. Even the cost of gas used to power pizza ovens is climbing due to rising fuel prices. (Giordano’s $2 slice is now priced at $3.)
While it's hard to pinpoint the exact moment the $1 pizza deal gained traction, a 2018 Vice article suggested it reached its peak after the 2008 financial crisis, as people looking to save money turned to a cheap, convenient lunch option. Though $1 slices weren't typically the best in the city, they were certainly the most affordable.
The first signs of trouble appeared in 2018 when expiring leases and rising rents began pushing some pizzerias to hike their prices. With the recent supply shortages, many of these $1 slice shops are now facing even greater challenges.
This problem extends beyond New York. Across the country, inflation has driven up pizza prices by around 20 percent for consumers. However, the fading $1 slice deal in New York is especially symbolic. When $1 slices become a memory, it’s clear that times have truly changed.
