Rocco’s New York Style Pizza, in Kita City, Tokyo

As part of our efforts to show you the best pizza in the city – and in this case, the best pizza slices in Tokyo – we present this eager review of Rocco’s New York Style Pizza, in Ojihoncho, Kita City, Tokyo.

Roccos Pizza in Tokyo (ラッコズニューヨークスタイルピザ) is located in Ojihoncho district in Kita City. The shop is about 30 minutes north of Shibuya (by train) to Oji station, and then a quick five minute walk to the front door.

Tokyo’s Rocco’s New York Style Pizza does in fact run a “New York” vibe.  If you tune out the surroundings (which are very Japanese), and maybe squint a little, looking at the shop it is a solid rendition of an east coast American pizza spot.

The “New York Pizza” slice places in Japan mostly run the same formula: Heart-felt attempts to fill the place with American props, hip-hop music, and the inclusion of some reference to skateboarding.  That three-part combination is not common in the US (pizza has nothing to do with skateboarding), but in Japanese pizza slice places, very common to get all three things together. Here in Japan, I can think of some exceptions (Hughes Pizza in Osaka breaks the mold), but Tokyo’s Rocco’s Pizza hits each of those notes.

Rocco’s is simple and low-budget enough to feel like an actual neighborhood pizza shop in America, and just nice enough to be completely comfortable.

Inside, most of the trappings of a pizza slice shop, with more sit-down opportunities than I was expecting – it is more comfortable than most late night pizza places where you’d grab a slice. The tables are better, it’s not a big shop but there is room to sit down and relax.

It a feature of most New York slice places that they put the pizza in the window, so you can see your choices from the street as you walk by.  Rocco’s isn’t quite like that.  Inside, to the right of where you order (and next to what I think was a soda machine), there is a small, clear-glass box with a few round trays and today’s slices.

You see your choices there?

The day I was Tokyo’s Rocco’s Pizza you could choose from a Classic NY Cheese (also labeled “The Best!!!”), Pepperoni, some ham and pineapple Hawaiian, and a very tempting Sausage and Green Peppers.

As I am known to say, I think pizza slices are rarely as tasty or special as a proper pizza cooked just for you.  Unless you happen to catch a pizza fresh out of the oven, the tradition of pizza slices is that they are reheated – which is to say cooked, allowed to sit around, and then cooked again.  In one way, that creates it’s own unique pizza slice flavor. In other ways, a cooked-twice slice is a little beat up and can’t compare to a pizza fresh out of the oven. Usually that’s true. I am of the opinion that pizza slices deserve their own category (and should not really be compared to other types of pizza).

This is what I was thinking that afternoon at Rocco’s.  And yet, that Sausage and Green Peppers slice was calling at me. It was just screaming my name.  As I was there to eat, it was time to get busy; I ordered a slice and Japanese Heartland beer.

As I write this review, it’s some many days later.  The pictures from Rocco’s New York Style Pizza are good enough, but I have seen pizzas that look better, that are more – shall we say – photogenic, than that one.  Do I sound unconvincing when I say my slice of sausage and green pepper pizza at Rocco’s was better than it looked?  That may not sound enthusiastic, so I double down; that was a delicious slice or pizza.

Simple, basic, crispy.  Really great slice.  I was tempted to say it was a bit spicy, but I forgot I put red pepper flakes on it.

The Japanese are very dedicated to putting Tabasco on pizza.  It’s not bad, but if you want to signal a real love for American pizza, crushed red pepper flakes are a far superior choice. Other Japanese pizza spots will give you hot-chili oil, which is also good, but lacks the impact of the red-blonde-black flakes. Proper respect to Rocco’s for doing it right.

While I was in Rocco’s I took a picture of the menu with these many, many different choices of slices.  We have already determined that there were only four choices in the case that day.  Is it sometimes possible to order a slice of cheese, and have them doctor it up with additional topping before they put it back in oven? So even though the flavor you want is not in the case, you can order additional toppings a-top a slice of cheese?  If someone knows if that’s how it works at Rocco’s, send us a message and we’ll set the record straight.

The music, overhead, was indeed hip-hop.  Bobbin’ my head, good tracks, good selection.  Much appreciated.

And we’ve talked about the pizza.  And the “American” decore.  And the hip-hop.  So to complete the formula…

Skateboard videos on a big screen TV.  I am a big fan of skateboarding, and the vibe in there was perfect for my tastes.

Feeble down an eight stair. Pizza, beer, skateboard videos, yes please; give me more. This is great.

I was in a hurry that day.  I had an appointment across town a little later, and I was preoccupied with thoughts about not being late.  After a few bites of my slice, I checked the time and… I had plenty of time.  I took a deep breath and made a mental note about how I wanted another slice. I thought about how nice it was to be in this shop.

This place is a winner.

アメリカ <3 にほん.  That’s right.  Big love, fam.

I liked Rocco’s. Tasty slices. They do delivery.  A very cool, chill, comfortable hangout vibe.

I have been to Nim’s Pizza in Minato City. And the completely over-hyped Pizza Slice shops (really over-rated). And for now, I’ll rank Rocco’s as the best slice spot in Tokyo. That is subject to change, but Rocco’s New York Style pizza slices are objectively good pizza, and a good experience.

Well done. Totally recommended.

For more Tokyo Pizza see:

— Marumo Pizza in Ebisu, Tokyo
— Pizza Bar on 38th at 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
— Devil Craft Pizza in Kanda, in Chuo City, and DevilCraft Gotanda in Shinagawa, Tokyo
— Shibuya pizza at Kevelos, in Tokyo
— Frey’s Famous Pizza in Rippongi, Tokyo
— Tokyo’s Seirinkan Pizzeria in Meguro, Tokyo
— Pizzeria da Peppe Napoli Sta’ Ca” in Setagaya City, Tokyo
— Pizzakaya deep-dish pizza in Rippongi, Tokyo
— Deep-dish pizza at Butcher Republic in Ebisu, Tokyo

Pizza Slice Shops in Tokyo

— More NY-style pizza slices at Tonyz Pizza in Koto City, Tokyo
— Nim’s Pizza slices in Minato City, Tokyo
— Not recommended: Pizza Slice on Cat Street in Shibuya