Al's New York Cafe — Restaurant in Costa Mesa

Al's New York Cafe: A Taste of New York, Steps from the Sand! If you're craving authentic New York-style pizza with the perfect crust and exceptional service, look no further than Al's New York Cafe, nestled just a stone's throw from the beach. This place truly delivers on all fronts. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with a warm and friendly atmosphere. The service is outstanding, with attentive staff who make you feel right at home. They're quick with recommendations and ensure your order is perfect, whether you're dining in or grabbing a pie to go. But let's talk about the pizza – it's simply phenomenal. The New York-style crust is a true masterpiece: thin enough for that classic fold, yet with just the right amount of chew and a delightful crispness on the bottom. Each slice holds up beautifully, never soggy. The sauce has that perfect tangy-sweet balance, and the cheese is generously applied and wonderfully melty. Whether you're a local or just visiting the beach, Al's New Cafe is a must-try. It's the ideal spot for a post-beach meal or a casual dinner with...

Excellent NY style pizza. Sometimes less is more; tried a large a large sausage pizza & couldn't have been more happy. This one was loaded with lots of chewy cheese, big chucks of Italian sausage, & just enough sauce to compliment these ingredients. The sausage had just the right amount of fennel.The dough was not super thin, just thick enough to be chewy on the inside. All take out pizza will cool off & the bottom of the pie can be limp when you get home. I popped two slices in a warm frying pan to bring back a thin crisp layer on the bottom of the pie. It was ready to eat when the cheese started to melt off the side of each slice, I carefully slid the pieces onto a plate. Then waited for them to cool a bit before picking up a piece that could easily be folded. I was rewarded with some of the best NY Style pizza outside the Big Apple. Everything, including the dough tasted fresh. I savored the leftover pizza for several more days. I recommend warming a slice in the microwave for about 30 to 45 seconds; then crisp it up in a warm frying pan. It's almost as tasty as...

If you haven't met Al, you're missing out on one of Costa Mesa's true hidden gems!! For over 30 years, Al's New York Cafe has been serving up the kind of food that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled upon something special, and it’s clear why this place has such a loyal following!

Al's is where you go when you're craving that perfect slice of New York-style pizza. My pick: the NYC Special, piled high with sausage and pepperoni… just like you'd expect from a classic New York pizzeria, but right here in OC.

But it doesn’t stop at pizza. The deli sandwiches are a standout too. Their classic pastrami is piled so high, you'll wonder how you’re going to take the first bite (hint: just dive in and don’t worry about it).

Also, LOVE that they offer pizza by-the-slice options, perfect for those days when you just need a quick fix!

Al's is truly the kind of place where you walk in as a customer but leave feeling like a regular. This place...