by Natalie I. Kelly

Created on: February 03, 2009   Last Updated: February 06, 2009

What exactly is Brooklyn style pizza? Is it really different from Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island, or simply New York style pizza? Well, there is no such thing as Brooklyn style pizza. It started as a marketing strategy used by Dominos to sell pizza, calling it Brooklyn style, because they liked the big personality of the borough.

"Fuhgedaboutit." No, Brooklynites don't speak like this. Either way, this diverse and multi-cultural borough gets the nod with some of the best pizza in New York and the country. So if you find yourself in New York, hop on the subway heading over the bridge into Brooklyn and experience one or all of these establishments.

Each establishment is unique in their own way, therefore, no need for ratings. If you love large slices you can fold, thin crust, or brick-oven style pizza then grab a pie at any of these pizzerias. One more note to mention, don't be surprised if you find yourself standing in long lines.

Di Fara Pizza is located on Avenue J in Brooklyn. For over four decades, Domenico De Marco has been making amazing pizzas. The dough, buffalo cheese, and plum tomatoes are imported from Italy. He hand makes each pizza, first rolling out the dough, pouring the sweet plum tomato sauce, covering the pizza with three cheeses (regular mozzarella, buffalo mozzarella and Gran Padano), and the final step before going in the oven is to drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over everything. Once, the pizza comes out of the oven, he sprinkles it again with Gran Padano, then the final stage is to cut generous fresh pieces of oregano and basil over the whole pizza pie. The trip on the Q subway train can take a while from Manhattan, but well worth the trip.

Grimaldi's, is located in DUMBO, under the Brooklyn Bridge. Expect long lines, especially on weekends or nice days. While waiting, enjoy the views of the Fulton Street neighborhood, or soak up the music of Sinatra or Pavarotti, which can be heard on the jukebox. The brick-ovens take center stage, so you can watch as fresh, homemade ingredients are used to make the pizzas-sauces, fresh mozzarella, ricotta, basil and hand-cut mushrooms. They only serve pizza by the pie, no slices.

Totonno's, located in Coney Island, and established in 1924, is the oldest family run pizza place. There is not much decor with its tin pressed walls covered in newspaper clippings and stickers. One of the early coal oven pizza giants, the simple pies are made with a splash of sauce, fresh mozzarella, pecorino, garlic

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