In New York City, pizza opinions are practically a form of currency. Everyone from your subway conductor to high-profile celebrities has a fierce, unwavering allegiance to a specific corner slice shop. So when late-night host Stephen Colbert pulled back the curtain on his absolute favorite pizza joint in the Big Apple, the food world immediately took notes.
For a man who has spent decades living and working in the city's media ecosystem, you might expect him to name an ultra-exclusive, brick-oven hotspot in Brooklyn or a classic Greenwich Village institution. Instead, Colbert's ultimate comfort food hides in plain sight on the second floor of a bustling Midtown block, defying standard New York style conventions.
The Secret’s Out: Lazzara’s Pizza Cafe
During a pre-show audience Q&A session at The Late Show, Colbert confessed that his number-one spot in the city is Lazzara’s Pizza Cafe. Located on West 38th Street in Manhattan's historic Garment District, the cozy, old-school restaurant has been quietly serving fashion industry icons like Calvin Klein and Vera Wang since brothers Sebastian and Tony Lazzara opened its doors in 1985.
What makes Lazzara’s stand out in a city saturated with pepperoni rounds is its architectural commitment to the square pie. This isn't the thick, doughy Sicilian slice you might grab on a late-night whim. Lazzara's is famous for an ultra-thin, rectangular pan pizza that eats like a hybrid between a crispy Grandma pie and a delicate, cracker-thin flatbread. The crust is intentionally light, crunchy, and serves as a sturdy canvas for a heavy layer of melted whole-milk mozzarella.
The "Do Not Disturb" Comfort Order
Colbert didn’t just drop the name of the restaurant—he shared his exact, non-negotiable order. When he needs a culinary reset, he goes for a whole square pie topped with prosciutto and red onion. The late-night host admitted that this specific pizza serves as his ultimate remedy after an exhausting week. His assistant has strict instructions to order the pie, place it directly onto his desk, and leave the room in complete silence. Because the crust is so uniquely thin, eating an entire pie by himself is an easy feat—and one he refuses to compromise on. He describes the flavor profile as a perfect harmony of tangy and sweet, delivering an immediate rush of savory satisfaction.
A Nod to the NYC Traditionalists
While Lazzara’s square pie holds the crown in Colbert’s heart, he is still a New Yorker at core and understands that sometimes a mood requires a quintessential, fold-and-walk street slice. For those seeking the ultimate traditional experience, Colbert threw a secondary shoutout to Sacco Pizza on Ninth Avenue. Sacco delivers exactly what purists crave: a beautifully balanced, chewy, round thin-crust slice with a perfectly seasoned tomato sauce.
Whether you are looking to replicate a celebrity-approved lunch break or simply want to escape the generic tourist traps of Midtown, a detour to West 38th Street for a crispy, prosciutto-topped square pie is a certified food-lover's power move. If you want to see if the late-night host's recommendation truly lives up to the hype, you can watch a food creator's honest review of Stephen Colbert's favorite New York pizza to see the famous cracker-thin crust in action.
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