Choice Cuts Pizza & Records brings New York-style pizza to Joo Chiat

One of my dream cities to visit is New York. Maybe it's just the wide-eyed girlie in me, but but I’ve always imagined that New York energy — the culture, the food, and that feeling that something interesting is always about to happen around the corner — would feel electric in person.

And perhaps it’s also the Swiftie in me, but there’s something about visiting the places Taylor once walked (Cornelia Street included) that makes the city even more magnetic. While that trip is still on my manifestation board, we stumbled upon a spot in Joo Chiat that brings a slice of New York much closer to home.

Meet Choice Cuts Pizza & Records. It is a neighbourhood slice shop known for its New York-style thin-crust pizzas, hot dogs, and tiramisu. You can pop in for a single slice or go all out with an 18-inch pie for sharing.

What really caught our attention is how it doubles as a cultural nook. Choice Cuts hosts live DJ vinyl sets featuring a diverse range of genres, from reggae and dubstep to hip hop and electronic music, which brings a touch of New York’s music-driven soul. There is also a $5-per-hour co-working corner, stacks of vinyl upstairs for crate diggers, and coffee, craft beers, and bagels downstairs for anyone drifting through the day.

Fairy lights framed the doorway, and neon signs of pizza and hot dogs glowed softly against the evening. What caught my eye even more was the logo. The pizza slice resembled Pac-Man, and the vinyl record formed a clever C-shape. It felt playful and surprisingly thoughtful, the kind of branding that would fit right into a downtown corner of New York.

I remember thinking, “This place looks interesting. Let’s check it out.”

Making a new batch of pizzas!

Stepping inside felt a little like walking into a time capsule of classic New York. The walls were covered with subway maps, triangle sports banners, a basketball jersey, street signs, an old jukebox, and even a pair of boxing gloves. In the middle of the shop hung a disco ball that made me think instantly of Taylor Swift’s “mirrorball.” It all came together in a way that felt warm and lived-in, more like a well-loved neighbourhood pizzeria than a modern concept spot.

The music added to the charm. Hip hop, reggae, soul, and electronic tracks drifted through the space, mostly leaning toward hip hop and soul that night. I was tired from dancing the day before, but the rhythm was infectious enough that I found myself swaying along anyway.

Then came the small dilemma of choosing what to eat. The glass display made everything look tempting, so we ended up picking by name. I went for a slice of Homie Pepperoni ($11) because sometimes the classics are exactly what you want. I skipped the iced coffee to behave myself with caffeine.

Grace chose the Clams Casino with Burrata ($14) and paired it with an Iced Oat Milk Latte ($7). All the slices are reheated to order, which means they arrive warm and crisp from the oven — simple, but always appreciated.

Grace ended up waiting about twenty minutes for her slice because they were still prepping the next batch of pizzas. Meanwhile, I was doing my best to stay patient. I’d only had a chocolate banana muffin and a cup of hot fruit tea for breakfast, so the hunger was very real. When my pepperoni slice finally arrived, the excitement kicked in immediately.

The first thing that hit me was the size. As I held my hand over it, the slice was easily three times bigger. 

The Homie Pepperoni comes with homemade marinara, mozzarella, cup-and-char pepperoni, pecorino romano, and fresh basil. The crust struck a nice middle ground: thin but not flimsy, and just crisp enough from being reheated to order. The pepperoni had that smoky, savoury edge that makes a classic slice satisfying, and the basil added a bit of brightness to cut through the grease. It didn’t feel heavy at all. In fact, it was the kind of slice that made me think about going back for a second.

Grace's clam casino came out piping hot and looking as greasy as a good 'ol New York pizza should! The clams were generous, burrata creamy and went well with the entirety of the slice. It was worth the wait. She then washed it down with the oat milk latte, which, in her words, tasted "was nice and oaty".

The lunch itself was simple and unfussy, which felt fitting for a slice shop. What really stuck with me was the environment, the open kitchen, the retro details, and the overall energy of the place. There’s something fun about watching chefs assemble and slide pizzas into the oven right in front of you.

We didn’t realise there was a second level with vinyls until days later, when I did my research, so that’s something I’d love to explore on my next visit.

As a pizza lover, I’d happily return on a slower day. I also enjoyed hearing Grace talk about her time in New York while we ate. Maybe one day, if I finally make it to the city, I’ll find myself tucked into a booth at a neighbourhood pizzeria, soaking up the same kind of atmosphere, just on the other side of the world. 📍 Choice Cuts Pizza & Records Address: 446 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427659