Pizza Slice (Cat Street) in Shibuya, Tokyo
We are working on a “Short List” of the best pizza places in Tokyo. As of the day this review of Pizza Slice Cat Street in Shibuya was written, we are able to show you some amazing pizzas in Tokyo, including a couple of pizza slice spots. Maybe it would be nice to say that Pizza Slice is on our list of favorites, but… nope.
The short answer is that Pizza Slice in Shibuya makes a mediocre pizza, in a cold, uncool shop. Every other slice I have had in Tokyo has been better, particularly Rocco’s New York Style Pizza (which currently has my recommendation for best slice in Tokyo).
There is more than one Pizza Slice restaurant in Tokyo, and this one is dead center in the middle of Cat Street; an epic location, but with only average (or below average) pizza. This particular shop is in a new building, on B1.
The new shop may be part of the problem. It’s very “modern” Japanese construction, concrete, metal, and glass. It feels like being in a parking garage, and there is almost nothing about the interior of Pizza Slice that does anything to “warm” up the vibe. I understand wanting to save money (I respect that), but this place is like “Soviet Era” bleak and loveless. Blank walls. Poured-concrete furniture. It is one of the least comfortable places in the entire city. No attempt to decorate or make it cool – it feels temporary, like eating in the back of a factory.
I could forgive the insultingly-barren surroundings if the pizza was any good, but it’s just nothing special at all. It is “sliced pizza.” And as the saying going; “Even bad pizza is pretty good,” but Pizza Slice Tokyo does their best to challenge that idea.
It just so happens that this part of Shibuya, this neighborhood, that stretch along Cat Street, is an area of Japan where I have spent a lot of time. I lived in this neighborhood for a few months, every year, for years. And back in the day, I used to hear about Pizza Slice, and I at one point I was even excited to try it…
There is another Pizza Slice in Shibuya, along the tracks of the JR line, between Shibuya Stations and Ebisu. But, years ago, there used to be yet another Pizza Slice store in this same neighborhood, up past the Apple store, on the other side of Omotesando Station. People used to say good things about that place, so I went: and it was underwhelming. “Why is this place supposed to be good,” I wondered.
That old Omotesando Pizza Slice store is now closed, but the lack-luster flavor continues. That previous shop had a somewhat better “look” to it (chain link fence was a feature I still remember, which is not nice, but at least they tried), and I was happy to have a chance to eat New York Style pizza in Tokyo, but… super meh. Or should it be less-than-super-meh? I chewed my way through that experience without enjoying it much. If I recall correctly, even the cookies were disappointing. My more recent visit to Pizza Slice on Cat Street was much the same.
People continue to talk this place up. When I mentioned to the owner of Streamers Coffee Company in Shibuya (which is a few minutes away) that I was working on a list of pizza places in Tokyo, he was quick to say kind things about Pizza Slice. Each time I hear something like that, I think: “Why do people like this place?”
Now I know the answer; Pizza Slice has what I consider below-average pizza (even for a slice place); that is a fair assessment. However, the *idea* of “getting a slice” is fun. That is true. And this part of Shibuya is such a great part of town, so much cool packed into those few blocks, that getting a slice here *is* a good plan… even if the pizza sucks. And, in case you’re not picking up what I’m laying down… their pizza sucks. Okay. There. I was being a little shy for a minute, but now I just said it.
Perhaps you think I don’t know what I’m talking about? What authority might I have about pizza? That’s fair.
I will take this opportunity to lay down some credentials: Nobody has eaten more pizza in Japan that I am. Even if that isn’t quite true in the scientific sense; close enough. But, wait, wait, I can say more. I have reviews on this site of 10 other pizza places in Tokyo (including better slices as the aforementioned Rocco’s, and also at Nim’s). I have also eaten at just about all of the pizza shops in Osaka (including Henry’s Pizza in Osaka, which makes very good pizza slices, and is much cooler than this place). I have eaten at most of the best pizza places in Nagoya (including Dookie’s Pizza in Nagoya, which is in every way cooler and better than Pizza Slice, in every way). I have eaten at every pizza restaurant in Sapporo (for slices, I like Pizza Joint Pike’s better than Pizza Slice). 100s and 100s of pizzas… and I would rank this place near the bottom of the list.
With all that said, I know the neighborhood supports this place. I am guessing that the owner might be a cool guy, even if his menu doesn’t hit, and his attention to details needs some coaching. Based the product, I’d guess he knows more about business than about pizza.
Now I will twist the knife, a little. As I said, I already knew Pizza Slice in Shibuya was not going to be good pizza (it’s not). I went *only* because I wanted to add this shop to this site, and for the opportunity to steer visitors to better spots. I was not expecting much, and the reason I ate on this particular night was because Harry’s Sandwiches (which is an exceptional sandwich shop, in this same neighborhood) was reserved for private party. Pizza Slice was the only place still open, so… I thought I’d check it off the list. And…
Not only was the pizza disappointing, but the staff was super rude. Surprisingly rude. Not the guy in the pictures here (no dis to him, he was flat, but not a bad guy), but the girl… she was in her 20s, and running her best imitation of a “bitchy teenager.” It was just miserable customer service. At least on my previous visit to the old Omotesando Pizza Slice shop, the staff was fun. This time… they couldn’t wait to go home, and it obvious.
Terrible experience. At every level. I was with a group, and I was embarrassed I brought us to this shop.
So why bother to write about it? Again, I want to specifically recommend other places. If you ever end up eating here, and don’t understand why anyone would want you to try it – I’m going to say that they have incredibly low standards for pizza, they are more into the location and convenience than the food. You can do better.
I will try to turn this ship around and go positive: I love Kevelos Pizza in Shibuya, which is nearby. It is not the same kind of place, it’s more expensive, it’s harder to get into (I usually try to have a reservation), but their pizza is genuinely excellent.
I have already mentioned Rocco’s twice in this review, but if you said, “Roccos’ is a little far away to be a solid alternative,” I’d agree. I won’t give Nim’s Pizza slices a super high review (their slices are okay), but they are considerably better than Pizza Slice. If what you want is pizza, Nim’s would be a much better choice, for many reasons.
If I wanted good casual food in this neighborhood, I could recommend The Great Burger (which is very close to Pizza Slice). For American-style hamburgers, they do an incredible job. (The idea of their pastrami sandwich has me drooling with desire, as I type this.) (They are a little expensive, but great quality food.) I already mentioned Harry’s Sandwiches. Both are local classics, totally special places. (See, I can be nice… sometimes.)
At the time of this review, I don’t think Tokyo has especially good pizza slices (both Osaka and Nagoya offer better choices). There *is,* of course, tons of excellent pizza in Tokyo – but not this place. For casual pizza in this part of the world, I’d recommend Frey’s Famous Pizzeria – it is not slice pizza, but it’s very good, much better pizza.
Okay, this place has been reviewed. “Check.” I’ll personally never go back. You should skip it. Final verdict: “Pass.”
For more Tokyo Pizza see:
— Pizza Marumo in Ebisu, Tokyo
— Omakase Pizza Bar on 38th in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Chuo City, Tokyo
— Pizza Studio Tamaki in Rippongi, Tokyo
— Sabasu Pizza in Akasaka, Tokyo
— Savoy Pizza Domi-LA in Asabujuban, in Minato City, Tokyo
— DevilCraft Pizza in Kanda, in Chuo City, and DevilCraft Pizza in Gotanda, in Shinagawa, Tokyo
— Shibuya pizza at Kevelos, in Tokyo
— Frey’s Famous Pizza in Rippongi, Tokyo
— Pizzakaya’s Detroit-style pizza in Minato City, Tokyo
— Seirinkan Pizza and Beatles music in Meguro, Tokyo
— Setagaya shop of Pizzeria da Peppe Napoli Sta’ Ca” in Setagaya City, Tokyo
— Chicago-style pizza at Butcher Republic in Ebisu, Tokyo
Pizza Slices in Tokyo
— Much better NYC-style slices at New York Pizza Tonyz Tokyo in Koto City, Tokyo
— Rocco’s New York Style Pizza slices in Ojihoncho, Kita City, Tokyo
— Pizza slices at Nim’s in Azabujuban, in Minato City, Tokyo