Day 12, 2025: Lucky Charlie (Bushwick, Brooklyn)

 

exterior

DAY 12: OCTOBER 12th, 2025

LOCATION: Lucky Charlie (254 Irving Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237)

GUEST(S): Ryan Ertrachter, Lance Kushner, Stephen Palo

ORDER: 2 slices of White pie (Straciatella caciocavallo, asiago, pecorino sardo, Sicilian olive oil, aged parmigiano reggiano)), 2 slices of Classic ((fior i latte, DOP san marzano tomato sauce, pecorino sardo, Sicilian olive oil, aged parmigiano reggiano)), 2 slices of Red pie (DOP san marzano tomato sauce, Sicilian olive oil, pecorino sardo, garlic, breadcrumb) with 'Nduja

REVIEW: 

Lucky strike. Lucky Charlie in Bushwick, Brooklyn is redefining what it means to be a bar that serves pizza — or perhaps a pizzeria that happens to be a bar. Either way, this newly established 1920s-era Italian-inspired hangout is serving up some of the best coal-fired pies in town thanks to world-class pizzaiolo Nino Coniglio.The story starts in 2002, when landlord “Charlie” Verde uncovered an 1890s coal oven buried in the basement of his building. More than two decades later, that oven is back in action, turning out impossibly crisp, perfectly charred pies that make you feel like you’ve stumbled upon a slice of pizza history.The menu keeps things simple with just three options: the Classic, the Red, and the White. Each pie stands solidly on its own, but can be customized with a handful of top-notch toppings like mushrooms, sausage, onions, peppers, cup-and-char pepperoni, or Calabrian chili. As a self-professed tomato sauce enthusiast, I recommend sticking with the Classic or the Red—and for an ideal bake, resist the temptation to overload it. One topping per pie does the trick. When they come out of the oven, these thin-crusted beauties are bubbling hot, their edges crisp and their centers oozing with molten mozzarella and savory tomato sauce. I'm told the crust firms up as it cools, but ours didn’t last long enough to confirm. Two hungry adults could easily crush two pies, so plan accordingly—or arrive with friends and over order proudly. Word has clearly gotten out. Even on a rainy Sunday, every table was full not long after opening, and I can only imagine the crowds during prime hours. But make no mistake—at Lucky Charlie, it’s the customers who are the lucky ones.

PHOTOS:

Slice of Red

Red Pie with 'Nduja

slice of White pie

Day 12

White pie

Classic pie

interior (facing the exit)

menu

VIDEO:

link: https://www.tiktok.com/@31daysofpizza/video/7560923121063071007

MISCELLANEOUS:

1. In 2025, Lance Kushner has played on more softball teams than the rest of us. However, between Lance Kushner, Stephen Palo, Ryan Ertrachter and I, we have played on 28 softball teams this calendar year. Not bad for four people...or do we have a problem?

2. Stephen Palo never ate a school cafeteria lunch.

3. Stephen Palo and I love Honeycrisp apples where as Ryan Ertrachter prefers a good Fuji.

4. Ryan Ertrachter's favorite dessert: a chocolate chip cookie.

 

RATING:

 4.64/5

• VALUE:
   4.5/5


• AMBIENCE:
   3/3


• TASTE:
   9/10


• SERVICE:
   3/3

19.5/21 = .929 x 5 = 4.64