Find Flavor In 10 New York Cold Cheese Slices Upstate Fans Adore
Upstate New York has its own quirky pizza tradition that die-hard fans wouldn’t trade for anything: the cold cheese slice.
Born out of late-night cravings and a clever way to avoid scorching mouths, these pies come with an extra handful of unmelted mozzarella piled right on top.
The result is a unique mix of hot and cool, gooey and fresh. Let’s take a look at ten spots serving slices that locals swear by.
1. Tino’s Pizza: Oneonta’s Legendary Late-Night Treasure
College students swear by Tino’s cold cheese slices after midnight. The piping hot crust creates the perfect foundation for their mountain of refrigerated mozzarella.
What makes their version special? The slightly sweet sauce that somehow cuts through the richness of the double cheese layer. Many Oneonta alumni make pilgrimages back just for a nostalgic taste.
2. Louie’s: Schenectady’s Time-Honored Tradition
Generations of families have made Louie’s their Friday night tradition. The moment you walk in, that familiar aroma of their 60-year-old brick oven hits you.
Their cold cheese isn’t just a topping – it’s practically a separate course! The cheese blend includes a secret ingredient (rumored to be a dash of provolone) that gives it a distinctive tang.
3. Uncle Tony’s: Utica’s Underdog Champion
Tucked away on a quiet Utica side street, Uncle Tony’s doesn’t need flashy signs to attract customers. Word of mouth has sustained this family-owned gem since 1978.
Their cold cheese slice features a distinctively thin, crackery crust that somehow supports a mountain of dairy goodness.
The cheese itself is hand-grated daily, never pre-packaged. For the full experience, pair it with their homemade Italian lemon ice!
4. DeFazio’s: Corning’s Glass City Masterpiece
Glass isn’t the only artform perfected in Corning – DeFazio’s cold cheese slices are edible masterpieces. The family still uses recipes brought over from Naples in 1921.
Their approach? A slightly charred, chewy crust that provides the perfect textural contrast to the cool cheese mountain on top.
The tomato sauce contains hints of basil and garlic that bloom when hit with the cold dairy. Weekend lines often stretch around the block!
5. Rocky’s Pizzeria: Saratoga Springs’ Racing Season Favorite
When thoroughbreds run in Saratoga, pizza lovers race to Rocky’s. During track season, they sell over 300 cold cheese slices daily to hungry bettors looking to celebrate wins or console losses.
Rocky’s stands out for their exceptionally generous cheese portions – nearly half an inch thick!
The contrast between the steaming hot sauce and refrigerator-cold dairy creates a temperature sensation that regulars describe as “pizza nirvana.” No wonder it’s tradition!
6. Joe’s Pizzeria: Ithaca’s Academic Achievement
Cornell professors and students alike form lines at Joe’s for their famous study fuel. The owner, a former chemistry major, applies scientific principles to perfect his cold cheese creation.
The result? A precisely calibrated ratio of hot-to-cold that maintains its integrity from first bite to last.
Joe’s also offers a unique “temperature gradient” approach – cheese gets progressively colder toward the crust. Finals week sees their sales triple!
7. Sovrana Pizza & Deli: Albany’s Italian Market Marvel
Half deli, half pizzeria, Sovrana creates a cold cheese experience that feels like a direct import from the old country. Third-generation owner Maria still oversees the cheese grating each morning.
What separates their slices? The basil-infused olive oil drizzled on the crust before baking.
This subtle addition creates a fragrant foundation that blooms beneath the cold cheese mountain. Their Italian market setting adds authentic atmosphere to every bite.
8. Little Vincent’s: Huntington Village’s Crispy Creation
Though technically on Long Island, upstate cold cheese aficionados make pilgrimages to Little Vincent’s legendary offering. Their interpretation features the crispiest crust in the cold cheese universe.
The magic happens when that crackly base meets their uniquely tangy tomato sauce and refrigerated cheese blend.
The restaurant maintains three different coolers set to specific temperatures for optimal cheese texture. True dedication to the cold cheese craft!
9. Sal’s Slice Shop: Syracuse’s Student Body Obsession
Syracuse University students credit Sal’s cold cheese slices for powering them through countless all-nighters. Located just off campus, the tiny shop serves over 600 slices on game days.
Their signature move? Cheese that’s shredded to order for each slice, never pre-prepped. This attention to detail creates a fresh, pillowy texture that melts perfectly against the hot foundation.
10. Mario’s Original: Rochester’s Cold Cheese Pioneer
Ask Rochester locals who invented cold cheese pizza, and they’ll point to Mario’s. Operating since 1957, they claim to be the originators of this upstate phenomenon.
Their historic approach remains unchanged – super-hot slices pulled from ancient deck ovens, then immediately blanketed with refrigerated whole-milk mozzarella.
The steam creates small pockets of semi-melted cheese while leaving most gloriously cool. Rochester natives who move away have Mario’s shipped frozen!
