Champion Pizza Essex Introduce
In a city saturated with pizzerias, finding a slice that stands out from the crowd can feel like a quest for buried treasure. Yet, in the bustling and vibrant Lower East Side, Champion Pizza Essex has managed to do just that. This isn't just another slice joint; it's a testament to passion, perseverance, and a commitment to quality. Champion Pizza is owned by Hakkı Akdeniz, a world champion in pizza acrobatics and a revered figure in the New York City pizza scene. His inspiring story of rising from homelessness to becoming a successful restaurateur adds a compelling layer to the experience. Visitors are not just enjoying a quick bite; they are tasting the result of years of dedication and a craft perfected at the highest level. The establishment embodies a casual and friendly atmosphere, attracting a diverse mix of locals, students, and tourists who are all in search of a delicious and affordable meal. It is a place that promises—and delivers—a top-quality pizza experience without the pretense, making it a beloved staple in the neighborhood.
Champion Pizza Essex is conveniently located at 123 Essex St, New York, NY 10002, USA. This prime address places it on a bustling stretch of the Lower East Side that is easily accessible from all over the city. Its proximity to major subway lines, particularly the F, J, M, and Z trains at the Delancey Street-Essex Street station, makes it a go-to spot for anyone passing through or exploring the area. The physical layout of the restaurant is designed for efficiency and a quintessential New York City pizza experience. As one customer noted, it operates like a "kiosk" or an "open counter pizza showcase window," giving patrons a full view of the delicious slices on display. While it may not have extensive indoor seating, its design is perfect for a quick stop. The restaurant has limited seating with a few benches and counters, creating a cozy and intimate space. The walls are adorned with historical memorabilia and photos of its world champion owner, Hakkı Akdeniz, with various celebrities and figures, adding a unique personality to the space and giving visitors a glimpse into the incredible story behind the brand. For all guests, the restaurant provides a wheelchair accessible entrance and wheelchair accessible seating, ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Champion Pizza Essex provides a comprehensive array of service options tailored to meet the needs of its diverse clientele, from busy locals to hungry tourists.
Curbside Pickup & Delivery: The convenience of modern service is a key feature, with options for Curbside pickup, Delivery, and No-contact delivery available. This is ideal for those who want to enjoy the full menu from the comfort of their home or office, ensuring a seamless and fast transaction.
Takeout & Dine-in: For those on the go, the takeout option is the perfect choice for a quick bite. The counter-style service ensures a speedy and friendly experience. For a more relaxed meal, the Dine-in option allows patrons to enjoy their food in the casual and cozy atmosphere, either at the counter or one of the available benches.
Champion Pizza Essex distinguishes itself through a number of standout features that appeal to a wide range of customers.
Award-Winning Pizza & Unbeatable Prices: The core of the business is its pizza, which is described in reviews as "delicious and affordable" and of "top-quality." The menu features a wide array of options, available by the slice or as whole pies, including classic Cheese and Pepperoni slices, as well as creative choices like the Margherita Pesto, Truffle Mushroom, and Buffalo Chicken. The quality, combined with the accessible pricing, makes it a rare find in a high-cost city like New York.
Diverse Offerings: Beyond pizza, the menu includes a range of other items that serve as excellent comfort food and small plates. This includes the provided chicken-based items like the Chicken Cone with various sauces and Chicken Wings. The menu also specifically caters to different dietary needs, offering delicious Vegan options and a variety of Vegetarian options, ensuring everyone can find something to enjoy.
Fast and Friendly Service: As noted by customers, the service is exceptionally "fast and friendly." In a city where time is money, the quick turnaround for orders, whether for dine-in or takeout, is a highly valued feature. The staff's welcoming demeanor adds to the positive experience, making customers feel at home.
Lively Atmosphere and Crowd: The restaurant's ambiance is a perfect mix of Casual, Cozy, and Trendy. It attracts a vibrant crowd of College students, Groups, and Tourists, particularly during lunch and dinner. Its status as a great spot for Late-night food also makes it a popular destination for those exploring the Lower East Side after hours.
Family-Friendly Environment: With its focus on simple, crowd-pleasing food and a welcoming environment, Champion Pizza is considered good for kids, making it a great choice for families looking for a no-fuss meal.
For those ready to visit this acclaimed pizza spot, here is the essential contact information.
Address: 123 Essex St, New York, NY 10002, USA
Phone: (212) 228-5597
What is it that makes Champion Pizza Essex truly worth choosing? The answer is a compelling combination of a world-class product and a genuine, accessible experience. The quality of the pizza, crafted by an award-winning pizzaiolo, is consistently praised for being both delicious and affordable. As one reviewer stated, it offers "unbeatable prices" for a "top-quality pizza," a sentiment that speaks to the restaurant's incredible value. Whether you’re grabbing a single slice or an entire pie, the commitment to fresh ingredients and flavorful combinations shines through. The extensive menu, from a variety of New York-style slices to unique offerings like the chicken cones, ensures there's something to please everyone. Furthermore, the establishment's versatility is a major draw. It is an ideal destination for a quick, savory meal, a comfortable spot for solo dining, or a convenient option for groups. Its status as a late-night food hub makes it an invaluable part of the neighborhood's culinary landscape. In a city where pizza is a way of life, Champion Pizza Essex stands out not just for its food, but for the inspiring story and dedication behind it, making it a must-visit for any pizza enthusiast.
Champion Pizza Essex Food & drink
Chicken Cone
- Chicken Cone with Sweet Chili Sauce $7.99
Crispy chicken tossed with your favorite sauce and served in a hand rolled waffle cone, cooked with The SWEET Chili Sauce KNOWN AS NAM CHIM KAI IN THAILANDIS A POPULAR CHILI SAUCE CONDIMENT IN THAI, AFGHAN, MALAYSIAN AND WESTERN CUISINE IT IS COMMONLY MADE WITH RED CHILI PEPPERS
- Chicken Cone with Salted Caramel Sauce $7.99
Crispy chicken tossed with your favorite sauce and served in a hand rolled waffle cone, cooked with The Salted Caramel Sauce WAS POPULARIZED IN 1977 BY THE FRENCH PASTRY CHEF HENRILE ROUX IN QUIBERON MADE WITH SALTED BUTTER CARAMEL WITH CRUSHED NUTS AND IT WAS FIRST MADE IN PARIS
- Chicken Cone with Sriracha Blue Sauce $7.99
Crispy chicken tossed with your favorite sauce and served in a hand rolled waffle cone, cooked with The Sriracha Blue Sauce IS A TYPE OF HOT SAUCE OR CHILI SAUCE MADE FROM A PASTE OF CHILI PEPPERS SRIRACHA IS FREQUENTLY USED AS A DIPPING SAUCE, THE SAUCE WAS FIRST PRODUCED BY A THAI WOMAN IN THE TOWN OF SI RACHA.
- Chicken Cone with Mango Habanera Sauce $7.99
Crispy chicken tossed with your favorite sauce and served in a hand rolled waffle cone, cooked with Mango Habanera Sauce IS MADE FROM ONION, MANGOESPEACH. HONEY. HABANERO PEPPERSIT IS HOT 100K-150K SCOVILLEAND ITS ONE OF THE BEST DIPPING SAUCES
- Chicken Cone with Chipotle Sauce $7.99
Crispy chicken tossed with your favorite sauce and served in a hand rolled waffle cone, cooked with Chipotle Sauce IS A SMOKE-DRIED RIPE JALAPEÑO CHILI PEPPER CHIPOTLE'S HEAT IS SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE ESPELETTE PEPPER, JALAPEÑO, GUAJILLO CHILI
Chicken Bowl
- Sweet & Chili Chicken Bowl $9.99
- Salted Caramel Chicken Bowl $9.99
- Sriracha Blue Chicken Bowl $9.99
- Mango Habanero Chicken Bowl $9.99
- Chipotle Chicken Bowl $9.99
Chicken Wings
- Sweet & Chili Chicken Wings $9.99
Fresh & Tender Inside, Crispy & Juicy Outside Marinated Chicken Wings, Dipped in Your Favorite Sweet & Chili Sauce. Available 4 Pieces (Whole Wings) OR 8 Pieces (Half Wings)
- Salted Caramel Chicken Wings $9.99
Fresh & Tender Inside, Crispy & Juicy Outside Marinated Chicken Wings, Dipped in Your Favorite Salted Caramel Sauce. Available 4 Pieces (Whole Wings) OR 8 Pieces (Half Wings)
- Sriracha Blue Chicken Wings $9.99
Fresh & Tender Inside, Crispy & Juicy Outside Marinated Chicken Wings, Dipped in Your Favorite Sriracha Blue Sauce. Available 4 Pieces (Whole Wings) OR 8 Pieces (Half Wings)
- Mango Habanero Chicken Wings $9.99
Fresh & Tender Inside, Crispy & Juicy Outside Marinated Chicken Wings, Dipped in Your Favorite Mango Habanero Sauce. Available 4 Pieces (Whole Wings) OR 8 Pieces (Half Wings)
- Chipotle Chicken Wings $9.99
Fresh & Tender Inside, Crispy & Juicy Outside Marinated Chicken Wings, Dipped in Your Favorite Chipotle Sauce. Available 4 Pieces (Whole Wings) OR 8 Pieces (Half Wings)
Champion Pizza Essex Details
Service options
- Curbside pickup
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Comfort food
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Table service
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- College students
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Champion Pizza Essex Photos










Champion Pizza Essex Location
Champion Pizza Essex
123 Essex St, New York, NY 10002, USA
Champion Pizza Essex Reviews
pricepepperonimargheritanatureslicesdollarcelebritywalltoppingschipotle
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1We needed a quick bite that we could take on the ferry. This open counter pizza showcase window was fast and friendly. I'm guessing this is the back end of a larger restaurant that has searibg, but this "kiosk" only had two park benches in front. My uncle enjoyed looking at all the historical paraphernalia displayed behind the benches. The pizza was great, good price, too.
June 24 · Benita KutscheChampion Pizza is a must-visit! Hakkı Akdeniz’s success story is truly inspiring, and it’s amazing to have the chance to enjoy delicious and affordable pizza from a world champion pizzaiolo. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to taste top-quality pizza at unbeatable prices!
February 11 · sebahat kurutaşI like the pizza is so crunchy and the taste is so great, they are used a fresh ingredient, will be back to eat this pizza
April 26 · Muck TTno slice of life is quite like NYC pizza existence. this Champions Pizza location is large, well-maintained, lots of seating, and serves solidly good pizza when you’re looking for a casual slice on a late night. the plain cheese slice pairs well with slight inebriation. again, solid slice—not mind-blowing, but it does its job of cheesy carbs with a thin layer of sauce and pizza grease to get you through those spirited Lower East Side nights. staff is pleasant—spend some dough here.*3.5-3.75 stars
January 05 · Ruwan J.We've passed by Champion Pizza and saw all these pictures of celebrities who have visited the place so we said let's give it a try. We ordered their Margarita Slice and Pepperoni Slice. It had that New York pizza style made with a thin crust. The Margarita had tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. It had a combination of savory, salty, and slightly sweet. Actually, they both had a sweet tomato sauce. When you get pizza there are times when the pizza tastes salty or sweet or perfectly balanced. We will say this place makes more of the sweet side of the spectrum of pizza. The Pepperoni helped balance the flavor more with its saltiness.
January 04 · OneBite Food
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