Jax Pizza Joint at 27-20 Jackson Avenue opened earlier this month and immediately drew a massive crowd, with lines forming as locals and food lovers showed up to see what the buzz was about. It’s clear from the early turnout that it isn’t just another neighborhood pizzeria and that makes sense with Utopia Bagels dream team Jesse Spellman, Angelo Tsoulos and Jimmy Tsoulos at the helm.
Jax Pizza Joint is built around the spirit of the classic New York slice shop. Inspired by the old-school pizzerias that helped define the city’s food culture, the team behind Jax, namely Jesse Spellman, Angelo & Jimmy Tsoulos who are the masterminds behind the nearby Utopia Bagels (26-11 Jackson Avenue) location, lean heavily on tradition, patience, and high-quality ingredients. Their dough goes through a meticulous 24-hour process, creating the light, crispy texture that New York pizza is known for.
The menu strikes a balance between timeless staples and elevated options. You’ll find classics like the Margherita and Rosso (featuring a rich six-hour tomato sauce), both priced at $3.75 per slice or $28 for a full pie. The Pepperoni “Cup & Char,” Blanco with a white cheese blend and lemon zest, and the Jax Special with vodka sauce and shaved parmesan all come in at $4.50 per slice or $30 per pie. For something a bit more indulgent, the F.B.R.—topped with fig jam, bacon, and ricotta—and the Baby Luka, finished with prosciutto di Parma and burrata, are standout choices at $5.25 per slice or $38 per pie.
Jax also leans into customization with a lineup of dipping sauces, including vodka sauce, hot honey, BBQ, garlic butter, rosso, and Calabrian chili oil, each available for just $1.
Beyond pizza, the shop offers a solid selection of stacked hero sandwiches. Options like Uncle Jeff’s Philly cheesesteak, the Jax Parm with chicken parm and vodka sauce, Luka’s Classic with prosciutto, burrata, arugula, and balsamic, and the Jimmy Two Times with grilled chicken, mozzarella, cherry peppers, and arugula are all priced at $17.95.
Dessert keeps things classic with gelato, tiramisu, and cheesecake, while the drink menu includes a curated mix of wines like Pinot Grigio, Toscano Rosso, and Rosato, plus beers such as Peroni, Modelo, and Voodoo Ranger.
At its core, Jax Pizza Joint is about recreating that simple, authentic neighborhood pizza experience—great food, great people, and a slice of New York done right. Based on the opening crowd alone, it’s safe to say Long Island City has already embraced its newest go-to slice spot and you can find it on DoorDash as well as Uber Eats.
If you've got some time and double the appetite make sure to drop by Utopia Bagels (26-11 Jackson Avenue) down the block, owned by the same trio and serving up the best Lox I've ever had!
