Saucy Skirmish Thriller: Table 87 Of Gowanus Ties Clinton Hill's Speedy Romeo In Pizza Throwdown

The superior (in your editor’s humble opinion) Margherita Pizza from Table 87. (Photo by Donny Levit / Park Slope Stoop)

Yes, we tied. But let’s call it what it really is: an upset.

The legend of the Park Slope Stoop versus Fort Greene Focus Pizza 2016 Throwdown will read like this: Speedy Romeo – which has received Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand every year since 2013 — could not triumph over upstart Table 87 (473 3rd Avenue at 10th Street).

But numbers are numbers: the competition ended in a tie.

The Throwdown, which took place last Friday, was the culmination of a competition that began with a Park Slope Stoop reader’s vote. Table 87 — which garnered 28% of the almost 1,600 votes which were cast. The Fort Greene Focus reader’s vote yielded Speedy Romeo as the winner.

Table 87, up close and personal. (Photo by Donny Levit / Park Slope Stoop)

Table 87 opened its first shop at 87 Atlantic Avenue (near Hicks Street) in Brooklyn Heights about four years ago. Owner Tommy Cucco opened a second spot at 473 3rd Avenue (at 10th Street) in Gowanus about two years later. We had a chance to sample their coal oven slice last week, which led us to feel rather confident going into our throwdown.

In the build up to the judged event, well, let’s just say we heard a bit of trash talk from Fort Greene editor and colleague Justin Fox. But, hey, that comes with the territory (And in the spirit of honesty, we know how to talk trash as well).

Marcos of Table 87 gave the judges a very special delivery. (Photo by Donny Levit / Park Slope Stoop)

We knew we were in good hands when Marcos showed up to Corner Media Group headquarters with a trilogy of Margherita pizzas. And in order to provide the full Table 87 experience, the gent brought some roasted peppers and garlic which can be added as desired.

Table 87 supplies fresh peppers and garlic as they would at the restaurant. (Photo by Donny Levit / Park Slope Stoop)

The nine judges came forward to start the contest. Judge 1 (we want to keep judge names anonymous) crossed over to our neighborhood’s delicious pie, eyes widened at the thought of adding the garlic to her slice. The judges were a bit focused on Table 87 at first, because of the initial mysterious absence of Speedy Romeo. I don’t want to accuse them of tardiness. Having said that, Table 87 was prompt and ready to go.

The Speedy Romeo pizza which took on our local Table 87. (Photo by Donny Levit / Park Slope Stoop)

The throwdown was based on five categories: “Overall taste,” “Cheese,” Crust,” “Sauce,” and “Cold Pizza taste.”

Table 87 was referred to as “Pizza X” and Speedy Romeo was “Pizza Y.” The Park Slope Stoop and Fort Greene Focus editors recused themselves from voting due to potential bias.

“The fresh ingredients in pizza X [Speedy] were really a joy for my tastebuds,” wrote Judge 2 in their comments. “However, I feel like the extra spices in pizza Y [87] made the flavor a little more exciting.”

Some judges mentioned the hard choice they needed to make when asked to provide feedback. “It was a tough decision,” wrote Judge 3. “The roasted garlic on x [Speedy] won me over, but there was something playful and fun about y’s [87] spiciness. If forced to choose, I’d probably choose x for night out, and y to order in.”

Here’s how the numbers broke down:

Cheese:
Speedy Romeo: 30
Table 87: 29

Crust:
Speedy Romeo: 28
Table 87: 26

Sauce:
Speedy Romeo: 31
Table 87: 28

Cold Pizza Taste:
Speedy Romeo: 19
Table 87: 29

Overall Taste:
Speedy Romeo: 32
Table 87: 28

Total Score:
Speedy Romeo: 140
Table 87: 140

“How’s it feel to have all sorts of accolades but still not be able to truly triumph?” we asked FGF editor Justin Fox. “If the electoral college is good enough to determine the presidency, winning a supermajority of categories is enough for us to be winners,” he responded.

As the tallies began, Judge 4 was shocked by the number Speedy Romeo was racking up. “I don’t know what pizza they’re tasting,” the judge said. “X should win for sure.”

As you can tell, we absolutely blew out the competition when it came to the vital question of whether a slice makes a good cold pizza. We were less successful in other categories, but not by much. “What kind of PED (pizza-enhancing drug) did you use to win the cold pizza category so handily?” asked Fox.

So now that we’ve enjoyed our Pizza throwdown, what other competitions would you like to see? We’re happy to go up against Bensonhurst Bean, Ditmas Park Corner, Sheepshead Bites, or Sunset Park Voice any day of the week.

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And we’re also ready for a Fort Greene Focus rematch.

Any time. Any place.

You can check out Fort Greene Focus’ take on all of this, should you dare…