East Village Pizza heads to NYC’s all-you-can-eat slice summit
Another New York favorite is in. East Village Pizza has been added to the lineup for the One Bite Pizza Festival, Dave Portnoy’s blowout celebration of pies and slice culture, returning to Randall’s Island Park on Saturday, September 13, 2025. The announcement landed August 26 and pushes the third edition toward its biggest field yet after two straight sellouts, including a crowd topping 10,000 in 2024.
The festival is the live extension of Portnoy’s viral “one bite, everyone knows the rules” reviews, organized with events group Medium Rare. What started as quick sidewalk taste tests has turned into a one-day marathon where fans eat through America’s top ovens side by side. This year promises more pizzerias, more variety, and more time to roam—an all-day window from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM, with slices flowing the entire way.
For New York’s own East Village Pizza, the invite is a high-visibility nod in a city that treats pizza like religion. It joins a roster of 40-plus shops from across the country, a mix that typically spans classic NYC foldables, New Haven chew, Detroit squares, and wood-fired Neapolitan. Expect lines, debates about the “perfect” slice, and a steady chorus of “what did you score that?” as fans compare favorites.
Attendees get unlimited complimentary pizza from all participating restaurants, a format that turns the day into a tasting gauntlet. The grounds also include the Ferraro Foods Piazza—built around Italian specialties—and an Italian Dessert Village to cap things off with something sweet. The idea is simple: walk, taste, reset, repeat.
Tickets, schedule, and what’s new in 2025
Gates open at noon and the party runs through 10 PM. Organizers have widened the ticket ladder this year to fit different appetites and budgets. Here’s how it breaks down:
- General Admission All-Inclusive Pizza (from $199.99): Entry to the festival, unlimited slices from all participating pizzerias, access to the Ferraro Foods Piazza and the Italian Dessert Village.
- VIP All-Inclusive Pizza + Open Bar (from $649.99): Everything in GA plus open bar, early access to beat the rush, exclusive pizzeria access, and entry to Dave’s VIP Clubhouse.
- Chef’s Tasting VIP Table (from $1,249.99): A seated, full-service pizza buffet experience with personal visits from Dave Portnoy—designed for groups that want a hosted table and a more curated pace.
The sponsor slate keeps growing alongside the footprint. This year’s partners include PEPSI®, Ninja, BILT Saputo, Verizon, Ferraro Foods, Marie’s Refrigerated Salad Dressing, High Noon, Marra Forni, ’47 Brand, and Flatiron Pepper Co.—a lineup that stretches from ovens and ingredients to drinks and merch.
Getting there stays straightforward. The Manhattan Ferry from East 35th Street Ferry Landing will run every 20 minutes throughout the event, dropping fans right at Randall’s Island. If you’re planning to sample heavily, the ferry is a smart move—minimal transfers, fresh air, and quick hops back to Manhattan.
The 2025 edition matters for a couple of reasons. First, scale: two consecutive sellouts built a runway, and the team is clearly leaning into demand with more ovens and longer hours. Second, access: the all-inclusive format lets fans try styles they might otherwise chase across boroughs and states, all without pulling out a wallet for each slice.
For the pizzerias, it’s a different kind of Saturday. Instead of serving regulars, they’re serving a roaming jury of serious pizza people who will eat, compare, and remember. A tight festival performance can spark months of new business, travel plans, and word-of-mouth heat. Being selected—especially as the event grows—signals a shop has earned national curiosity, not just neighborhood love.
The festival’s DNA still traces back to Portnoy’s street-level reviews: quick bites, clear opinions, and a scoreboard that fans argue about for months. Turning that energy into a physical place has changed how pizza festivals look—less white tents, more personality, and a single throughline: make it fun to taste a lot in one day.
What should you expect on the ground? Crowds early, a second wave mid-afternoon, and a late surge when the night crew rolls in. Lines move faster than they look because slices are ready in batches. The smart play is to hit a few must-try spots first, then wander and let the serendipity work. Hydrate, pace yourself, and leave room for dessert—you’ll want it.
If history is any guide, tickets won’t linger. Last year’s rush created a short window for the most coveted tiers. With East Village Pizza now in the mix and a deeper bench of out-of-town heavy hitters, the 2025 chapter is built for volume and variety. Whether you’re a fold-and-walk purist or a square-slice loyalist, Randall’s Island will have a slice that argues its case.
Key details at a glance: East Village Pizza joins the festival; date is Saturday, September 13, 2025; hours are 12 PM to 10 PM; tickets start at $199.99 and climb to a premium hosted table experience; sponsors span food, drink, and equipment; and the ferry from East 35th Street runs every 20 minutes. Bring an appetite—and a ranking system you’re ready to defend.