The owners of Butcher Bar in Astoria and Slice Long Island City have co-founded a pizza joint in Astoria that will offer the best of both worlds.
Slice Astoria, located at 37-08 30th Ave., had its grand opening on Nov. 2 and is owned by Matthew Katakis and Juan Sanchez. Sanchez, the owner of Latin fusion restaurant Blend and Slice Long Island City, will bring his pizza expertise while Butcher Bar’s Katakis will help unveil barbecue pizza offerings in the future.
“We’ve partnered up to bring you the best New York City slice and a couple of surprises,” Katakis said.
In addition to the barbecue pizza, the owners will introduce a brunch menu next year. The space also has a backyard where they will host events and pizza parties. Katakis said they are also planning to add a brick oven as well.
Katakis, who was born and raised in Astoria, said it’s been a lifelong dream to open a pizza shop in the neighborhood. Slice Astoria is located right next door to Butcher Bar.
“I was born and raised in Astoria and I’m proud of my [Greek] heritage and my neighborhood where I was born,” he said. “I’ve traveled the world and nothing compares to New York City, but Astoria is a special little piece of New York City, so I love investing here.”
He said Slice is different than other pizza shops because it uses “the freshest ingredients [and] high-grade materials at all times.”
“We’re the type of pizzeria where we make the pie as you come in so you have to wait a few minutes for a fresh pie,” Katakis said. “We don’t like the pie sitting around and again it’s all about fresh materials and good vibes.”
Slice Long Island City is open from 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Wednesday and Sunday. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, it’s open until 2 a.m. Make sure to bring cash, because they do not accept credit cards.
“I’m just really excited to have opened this pizzeria,” Katakis said. “It’s been a lifelong dream. I have many different restaurants, but pizza is in my blood.”
