Step inside Ace's, and you'll be teleported to the magical midwest. It'd be natural to think that an establishment exuding pub, restaurant, diner, saloon, and arcade vibes would somehow feel "off", but Ace's blends them in just the right proportions to offer a comfortable and authentic Detroit ambiance. Plus, the staff — red-and-white checkered aprons wrapped around the waist, pep-in-the-step walk even at 9pm — are stereotypically welcoming, chatty, and delighted that you've decided to stop by.
Now, the food: for those native New Yorkers, snobbily raised on $2.50 Ray's, St. Mark's dollar slices, and the likes of Famiglia — such as yours truly — it takes some getting used to anything that isn't thin-crusted and that takes more than a minute to serve. But rest assured that the adjustment is worth it: Ace's offers a crust that's crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and a classic cheese-sauce combination that any pizza-goer would happily devour. An Ace pie might look heavy, but it feels less dense than even some no-name "thin slices", which are simply too oily or cheesy. Our party of four evenly split a pepperoni pie, and we all left feeling satisfied — and eager to return. And while I'm no pepperoni connoisseur, the pepperoni is among the best I've ever had: subtly crisp, full of flavor, and slightly spicy. I can still remember the taste, even as I write this review, weeks later.
At $23, it's hard to be disappointed. Strongly recommended for anyone who's serious about exploring New York's pizza scene, as well as for just about anyone else; it's a charming and refreshing experience.