Sal’s New York Pizzeria

I visited Sal’s because of what I read here: «it’s true NY style» or «it’s nothing like a NY slice.’
Total contradiction, although both are true.
Let me explain: in form, the pie looks a lot like a domino’s pizza; it’s fairly small (compared to a NYC pie). The crust was what you’d find in a pizzeria in the suburbs of NYC: tasty, chewy (though not in a bad way), and gummy (again, not in a bad way). In visual presentation it looked like a domino’s pie.
Ingredients on our cheese pie (sauce, dough, and cheese) were good. I can’t vouch for the toppings, but it’s evident that Sal doesn’t chintz on the quality of the aforementioned items.
Why isn’t this a true NYC pie? For one, a true NYC pie is a full 18» in diameter. Second, a true NYC slice has a seared, well done, crust (on the outside), while somewhat gummy on the inside, such that a ginormous slice can be easily folded for eating. And… if you’re lucky, a true NYC slice will run a little heavy on the cheese.
Sal’s puts out good, solid, offerings. But his pizza is made for this market (Gaston), not NYC.

Philly Cheese Steak — ⁵⁄₅ — Very good. The Bread was original and awesome. The meat and toppings were cooked to perfection. It could of used a little more meat, but that’s mainly because the sandwich was giant.
Cheese Pizza — ³⁄₅ — The dough/​crust was great and the sauce was decent, but the cheese was below par. I think they need a better connection on mozzarella. It had a lot of funk and not much flavor. Perhaps it was a bad batch, but judging from their prices, they are probably using the cheap stuff.
I will be back for another sub. I highly recommend the philly cheese steak. The pizza is probably better with toppings, but I always like to first judge a pizza place by their cheese pizza. The owner is friendly and seems like a genuinely good guy. The prices are very reasonable.

Great food and friendly staff and owner. I only wish there was more seating. Would love to have a large group dinner.

Sal’s never disappoints. The pizza is great and made with fresh ingredients. Sal is a great guy and always makes you feel appreciated. Try the Stromboli it is excellent.

One of my favorite places in the area is Sal’s New York pizza. Whenever I’m in the area I have to stop in for a pizza… yes, an entire pizza.
I’m pretty sure the owner is Sal and he is always in there and will recommend the best item for what you are in the mood for. I’ve had most of the pizza and cheese garlic knots which are some of the best I’ve ever had.
What I love even more about this place is how passionate the owner is about his food. He is always trying new item so the menu is updated quite a bit.
The service is always great as well. I’ve never waited more than a few minutes to get a piping hot pizza.
Don’t miss this place.

I don’t know what «real» NY pizza is and I don’t care! Sal’s pizzas are great! I have several friends who swear by his calzones. My all time favorite here though is the Philly Cheese Steak! He bakes his bread fresh, and the cheese is gloriously melted and mixed with the meat and peppers & onions! I keep meaning to try other items on the menu but it’s really hard because this sandwich keeps calling my name whenever I walk in the door! There is a «hotter» version on the menu – I tried it once and went back to the original. Sal goes kind of crazy with garlic sometimes. That being said, the garlic knots with dipping sauce are great. Skip the wings; too much breading and I don’t think he’s making them fresh like he is with his bread products.
Please note this is NOT a sit-​down type of restaurant. It is very tine and is in a blue collar Food Lion shopping center on N. New Hope Rd in Gastonia. Sal’s has only 2 tables, that seat a total of 7, and then he has about 4 – 5 bar stools at a counter in the corner. It is very much a Takeout place though I have eaten lunch there several times. He is closed on Sundays and does not deliver though he prints the number of some delivery service on his menu. I don’t know what their minimum dollar order is in order to utilize the delivery service.
As for all the noise about the type of oven who cares!!! He is obviously a start-​up entrepreneur and his food is good!

This is not, let me repeat, NOT New York style pizza. The dough it too think and over worked, but still pretty good dough. It has the right chewy quality and a nice flavor. Unfortunately, some of the topings could be better. I ordered a pie with pepperoni, sausage and beef. all off which would have been better quality. The beef is actually pretty gross. a crumbled, over-​cooked and poorly seasoned mess that reminded me of dog food.
Plus, they use a conveyor oven, not a brick wood burning oven or even a deck pizza oven!
I’d say the most authentic New York aspect of Sal’s is the staff. When I made a special request, I over-​heard the guy (who I can only assume is the manager or owner) telling the pizza cook to ignore my request, because I’m one of those customers who «doesn’t know what he’s talking about.»
Overall, the pizza wasn’t bad, but not worth the price. I think you would be just as satisfied with a $ 10 Dominoes or Pizza Hut pizza.

The prices are cheap and the food is wicked awesome. The Italian sausage calzones, cheesesteak subs and pizzas are amazing. We NEVER got a bad order from Sals.

Wow is all I can say these people can make some awesome pizza! I had a pepperoni slice both times I came but my friend had a calzone and I tasted it so good! My mouths watering talking about it! Best pizza place around here! It’s small place to eat but big on flavor! Perfection and I’m pretty picky! :)

We visited Sal’s Pizzeria on the way back from the mountains last weekend. What a total disappointment! This is not NY pizza and the sauce has very little flavor. We ordered their two pizza special and the garlic bread with cheese. The garlic bread was the only good thing about our dinner. The restaurant needs a good cleaning. The owner and the girl working behind the counter were very nice but that would not be cause for us to go back and spend anymore money here.

Came to NC from Louisiana, heard great things about this little place and REALLY enjoyed it. So much food, plenty enough to share! Sal’s Favorite Pizza is fabulous! Very nice, friendly people working there and would defiantly recommend it to anyone passing through!!!

Garlic calzone was pure deliciousness! Great food friendly staff. Worth the drive and no wait!

Tried this place out based on reviews that indicated they served authentic NY style pizza. It was OK, but not true NY style. A «real» pizza joint has to have a traditional pizza oven, not a conveyor belt pizza maker like you find at Little Caesar’s or Dominoes. It’s probably a little better than those places. If your near Concord or Lake Norman, there are much better choices. The very best is Prosciutto’s of of exit 28 on 77. Hawthorne’s and Due Amici’s are also very good. (Hawthorne’s has the best garlic knots.)

Very good New York style pizza. Subs and pasta dishes are great too and the prices are nice for really good, tasty pizza.

My favorite Pizza place here. Subs are awesome with homemade bread. Not too many NY Style Pizza places here are that good and I just moved here 2 years ago. This place taste like home to me. I tried Simonetti’s but it wasn’t that good. I get take out here at least once a week. Prices also seem to be the lowest which is another reason why I prefer Sal’s.