Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Somewhere along a busy college-town strip in the Valley, a New York slice shop set up quietly and started building a following. Longtime locals who once flew east for a proper thin slice now grab one a short drive from home.
The story behind this spot involves a famous Manhattan pizzeria, a family recipe from 2012, and even a special trick with the water. Keep reading to learn where it is, what makes those square slices so talked about, and the honest little details worth knowing before you go.
A Manhattan Original Lands on Mill Avenue
Right in the middle of the action, at 680 S Mill Ave Ste 102 in Tempe, Arizona, sits a small pizzeria carrying a big-city name.
Prince Street Pizza brought its New York City reputation west, and locals took notice fast. The Tempe location held its grand opening on August 28th, drawing a line out the door on day one.
The original shop first opened in New York City in 2012, and this outpost aims to bottle that same slice-shop energy for the desert crowd. It sits along the walkable stretch of Mill Avenue, close to shows and campus foot traffic.
Regulars mention the atmosphere feels like one of those food spots you find in a major city, the kind you just have to try once. Photos of celebrities who have stopped in line the walls, adding to that sense of arrival.
What you get here is a compact, no-frills counter built for grabbing a slice and moving on. That simplicity is part of the charm, and it fits the neighborhood perfectly.
The Family Name Behind the Slice
Behind the counter runs a story that stretches back to a Manhattan storefront more than a decade ago.
The Moreno family pizzeria first opened in New York City in 2012, earning a name for its Sicilian SoHo square slices and Neapolitan-style pies. Tempe now carries that same lineage.
Staff here take pride in sharing the backstory, and some visitors have walked away knowing more about the shop’s roots than they expected. That personal touch turns a quick stop into something memorable.
The idea was never to reinvent pizza but to translate a beloved New York slice-shop experience for a new city. Tempe fits the bill, with its steady rhythm of students, workers, and show-goers.
Longtime Valley residents who once hunted for a proper slice on the East Coast now have a familiar name close by. For many, that connection to a real New York origin is a big part of the appeal.
It is not just pizza with a fancy label. The history is real, and the shop leans into it.
Grab-and-Go, No Table Required
Come hungry, but do not come expecting a long sit-down affair.
Dine-in is not really an option here. The setup is grab-and-go, with folks taking their slices to eat somewhere else nearby.
Seating is limited to a few spots outside, and some people mention grabbing a seat around the corner at another restaurant. Inside, the focus stays on the counter and the slice case.
That layout catches a few first-timers off guard, but most take it in stride once they know the deal. It matches the classic New York slice-shop format, where speed and simplicity rule.
The compact space keeps things moving, which works well before a show on Mill Avenue or during a quick lunch break. Several regulars note their workplace is within walking distance, making it an easy midday run.
If you are planning a leisurely meal with a big group, this may not be the right fit. But for a fast slice on the go, the format does exactly what it is meant to do.
The Square Slice That Started It All
Ask around and the conversation quickly turns to the square.
The Sicilian SoHo-style square slice is the shop’s signature, the very thing that built its name back in New York. Fans point to the Naughty Pie and the spicy vodka sauce square as standouts worth ordering.
Opinions do vary. Some square lovers feel a true New York square runs thicker, while others rave about the crispy edges and hearty texture.
One slice that draws steady praise carries a texture that reminded people of a certain garlicky, buttery bread, which is high praise in the square world. The cupping pepperoni tucked into some squares adds to the appeal.
Not every square lands the same for everyone, and preferences run strong when it comes to sauce and cheese balance. That is part of the fun of trying the different options side by side.
For newcomers, the square is the piece that tells you what this place is really about. Order one, and you will understand the buzz.
A Thin Slice Worth Crossing Town For
Beyond the famous squares, the thin slice quietly steals the show for a lot of people.
The classic pepperoni slice earns big love, described as thin with a perfect crisp and pepperoni that packs real flavor. For some, it ranks as their favorite slice of pizza anywhere in Arizona.
The dough and crust get consistent nods, crisp on the bottom and chewy in the middle, which is exactly what a true New York slice should deliver. That balance is not easy to pull off in the desert.
The Original Prince, the shop’s simple cheese slice, has been called one of the best New York-style pizzas some folks have ever had. Simplicity done right can be the hardest test of all.
A few slice hunters who chased the best pizza across New York and Long Island say Tempe’s version holds its own in their Valley top five. Coming from serious slice fans, that means something.
If the square is the headliner, the thin slice is the reliable encore. Both deserve a spot on your plate.
The New York Water Trick
Here is the detail that turns pizza nerds into believers.
The shop uses a special filtration system designed to replicate the New York City water used in its dough. That is a serious commitment to authenticity, since water chemistry is often credited for New York’s famous crust.
Alongside the water, the kitchen leans on imported Pecorino Romano and mozzarella cheeses. Freshness of ingredients comes up again and again as a point of pride.
The result shows in the dough and crust, which many feel the shop nailed right out of the gate. Crisp on the bottom, chewy in the middle, just as a proper slice demands.
Small touches like this separate a place that simply serves pizza from one chasing a true New York standard. It is the kind of behind-the-scenes effort most customers never see but can taste.
For anyone curious whether an Arizona slice can really match the East Coast, the water story is a compelling clue. The shop clearly took the challenge seriously.
Staff Who Make You Want to Return
Great pizza gets you in the door, but the crew here keeps people coming back.
The team earns steady praise for being friendly, patient, and genuinely welcoming. First-timers especially appreciate staff walking them through the many slice options.
Names like Trey, Tommy, and Morgan come up often, with regulars crediting them for kind, upbeat service. One customer even noted a staff member appreciated being asked how his day was going before the pizza talk began.
That warmth shows even when things get busy or slow, with the crew staying in good spirits either way. Newcomers often feel comfortable asking which slices the staff love best.
When an order once went sideways, the manager stepped in and went above and beyond to make it right, turning a rough moment into a five-star return. That kind of care builds loyalty.
Good food and good people together make a strong combination. Here, both show up on the same plate.
A Menu Full of Playful Pies
The lineup here reads like a greatest-hits list with a sense of humor.
Slice names like The Naughty Pie, Spicy Spring Pie, Oakey Smokey, The Old School, Green Machine, and Prince Perfection give the menu real personality. There is plenty to explore across multiple visits.
The Meat Lovers slice draws especially strong praise, landing top marks with several fans. The spicy pepperoni also earns points for its signature kick.
Both cheese-focused options, from the four cheese to the simple regular slice, get called crunchy and nicely balanced without being overly heavy. Variety is clearly the point.
Not every slice wins everyone over, and a few find certain pies lighter on flavor than they hoped. Taste runs personal, so sampling a few is the smart move.
With square options, thin slices, and specialty pies all sharing the case, the choice can feel delightfully tough. That range is exactly why repeat trips make sense.
Timing Is Everything for Fresh Slices
Here is the insider tip that separates a good visit from a great one.
Slice availability shifts through the day, so timing matters. Saturday mornings tend to bring a full case, with every pie ready to go for slices.
Later in the day, the selection can thin out, and fresh pies may take a bit to come out of the oven. A few people have found the case running low during dinner hour and chosen to wait or return.
The shop has openly acknowledged that the slice case should stay full and rotating during peak hours, and it treats that as the standard to hit. That honesty is refreshing.
If you want the widest choice and the freshest slices, aim for earlier in the day rather than a late-night stop. Weekend mornings seem to be a sweet spot.
Plan your trip around freshness, and the odds of a standout slice climb sharply. A little timing goes a long way here.
What It Costs to Taste New York
Quality New York pizza in the desert comes with a premium price, and the shop does not hide it.
Some slices run on the higher side, and bottled soda has been noted around five dollars. Whole pies can climb too, with prices mentioned in the low forties for certain specialty options.
The shop openly calls its pizza a bit of a premium product and thanks customers for giving it a shot. Honesty about the cost helps set expectations.
There is good news for budget-minded fans, though. A lunch special runs Sunday through Thursday until 4pm, offering two slices and a drink for twelve dollars.
Some folks also catch deals through delivery apps that soften the full price noticeably. At the right price point, even the pricier pies feel worth it to many.
Whether the cost lands as fair depends on your appetite and how much you value an authentic slice. The lunch deal is the easiest way to try it without stretching the wallet.
Hours That Stretch Past Midnight
Night owls, this one is built with your schedule in mind.
The shop keeps generous hours, opening daily at 11 AM. Fridays and Saturdays run all the way until 3 AM, making it a natural stop on a late Mill Avenue evening.
Thursdays stretch to midnight, while Sunday through Wednesday wrap up at 10 PM. That gives plenty of windows for lunch, dinner, or a late-night craving.
The location’s spot near shows and campus makes those late weekend hours especially handy. A slice before or after an event fits right into the flow of the night.
Keep in mind that late-night visits, especially after weekend crowds thin, may not always offer the fullest slice selection. Earlier trips tend to catch the widest choice.
Still, having a real New York slice available well past midnight is a genuine perk in Tempe. Few spots stay open that late with pizza this ambitious.
Finding Your Way to Mill Avenue
Getting here is half the ease of the whole experience.
The shop sits at 680 S Mill Ave Ste 102 in Tempe, right on the lively, walkable stretch of Mill Avenue. That puts it within easy reach of campus, shows, and downtown foot traffic.
Plenty of people arrive on foot, and some note their jobs are close enough to walk over for a quick lunch. Others get dropped off by rideshare before catching a show nearby.
Because the area stays busy, the pizzeria works well as part of a larger outing rather than a standalone destination. A slice fits neatly into a night out on Mill.
Parking and crowds ebb and flow with the college-town rhythm, so timing your visit around events helps. Weekday lunches tend to feel calmer than weekend nights.
The central location is a big reason the shop caught on so quickly. For anyone already exploring downtown Tempe, it is an easy detour worth making.
Who This Slice Shop Suits Best
Not every pizza spot fits every craving, so here is who tends to love this one.
Fans of authentic New York-style pizza make up the core crowd, especially those who miss a real thin or square slice. The shop repeatedly earns recommendations from people seeking exactly that.
Solo diners, quick-lunch grabbers, and show-goers on Mill Avenue fit the grab-and-go format perfectly. The walkable location makes it a natural stop between other stops.
Curious first-timers do well here too, since staff happily guide them through the many slice choices. That patience makes the menu less overwhelming.
Big groups hoping for a relaxed sit-down meal may find the limited seating a mismatch. This is a place to take your slice and keep moving.
Even a few self-described pizza snobs have come away impressed, which speaks to the quality on offer. For the right kind of hungry, this spot delivers just what it promises.
The Verdict on Tempe’s New York Slice
So does a Manhattan legend really translate to the Arizona desert?
The answer, for most, leans yes. With a 4.4-star standing across hundreds of opinions, Prince Street Pizza has clearly won over a strong share of the Valley.
The dough, the crust, the pepperoni, and the friendly crew come up again and again as the reasons people return. Serious slice hunters have placed it among their favorites in the state.
It is not flawless, and the honest chatter about price and slice timing is worth heeding. Go earlier in the day, try both a square and a thin slice, and grab the lunch special if the cost gives you pause.
The New York water trick, imported cheeses, and family roots from 2012 back up the authenticity claim in a real way. That effort shows on the plate.
For Arizona locals wanting a genuine New York slice without a cross-country trip, Tempe now holds a serious contender. Track it down on Mill Avenue and taste for yourself.
