newyork.localmean.com/dollar-slice
Dollar slice
DOL-er SLYSS
Local meaning
A basic New York cheese pizza slice sold through a low-price, high-volume counter model historically centered on a one-dollar price point.
Dollar-slice shops became a recognizable part of the city’s quick-food landscape, especially in the 2000s and 2010s. The familiar name can remain even when inflation pushes the actual price above one dollar.
Example in context
- “We grabbed a dollar slice before getting back on the train.”
How it is used
A New York pizza category and business model rather than a promise that every listed slice currently costs exactly one dollar.
neutral, budget-focused, nostalgic
slice shops, late-night food, commuting, quick meals
A New York pizza category and business model rather than a promise that every listed slice currently costs exactly one dollar.
Prices and quality vary, and the label can outlive the original price. Check the posted menu instead of assuming a one-dollar total.
Spelling and scope
A New York pizza category and business model rather than a promise that every listed slice currently costs exactly one dollar.
- Search forms
NYC dollar slice meaningone dollar pizza New Yorkdollar slice shop
LocalMean keeps common search spellings discoverable without claiming that every borough, community, or generation uses one written form.
Frequently asked questions
Does a dollar slice still cost one dollar?
Sometimes, but not always. The name can describe the low-cost slice-shop format even after prices rise.
Is a dollar slice different from a plain slice?
A dollar slice is usually a plain cheese slice, but the term emphasizes the budget price and shop model.
Read next
All words →Evidence and further reading
These sources support the regional association, dictionary sense, or broader spread. The entry remains open to correction from New York speakers and qualified reviewers.
- New York Pizza Is an Evolution in Four ActsEater New York
Food-history reporting on the New York slice, slice-shop technology, and the city’s changing pizza culture.
- Geographic Variation in Slang SemanticsarXiv
Research showing that slang meanings and associations vary by geography and community.