This culinary offering denotes a small-sized pizza prepared in the characteristic fashion of New York City pizzerias. Its features typically include a thin, hand-tossed crust, a slightly sweet tomato sauce, and a generous topping of shredded mozzarella cheese. The resulting product is often characterized by its foldable slices and satisfyingly greasy texture. As an illustrative example, a patron might order a “small pie” when seeking a personal-sized version of a New York-style pizza.
The appeal of this particular preparation lies in its accessibility and affordability. A smaller size makes it a suitable choice for individual consumption or as part of a larger order for sharing. Its historical context is rooted in the evolution of Italian-American cuisine, specifically the adaptation of Neapolitan pizza to local ingredients and preferences. The resulting flavor profile and texture became synonymous with the New York culinary landscape, creating a popular and recognizable regional style.
