Is This Upper East Side Hotspot Serving The World's Best Pizza Sandwich

I am officially dead and gone to carbohydrate heaven. If you think you know New York City pizza, you need to clear your schedule right now. We just checked out San Matteo, an absolute powerhouse of Neapolitan flavor holding it down on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. This place is an absolute game-changer. They are pulling some of the most pillow-soft, beautifully charred dough out of their roaring wood-fired oven, and my mind is completely blown.

The aroma of burning wood and bubbling cheese hitting you at the door is unreal, but the menu? Elite.

The Masterpiece Sandwich That Won It All

You cannot step foot into San Matteo without ordering their legendary, award-winning Italian Sandwich. This isn't just a sandwich. It is a certified trophy winner. They take their signature, high-hydration Neapolitan dough, shape it into an elongated flatbread, and slide it into the intense flames until it puffs up and gets those gorgeous, crispy leopard spots.

SAN MATTEO PIZZA & SANDWICH POWER RANKINGS
1. The World-Champion Italian Sandwich (Prosciutto & Stracciatella)
2. The Burrata & Multi-Tomato Neapolitan Pie
3. The Panuozzo Burger (Caramelized Onion & Bacon)
4. The Spicy Soppressata Pizza

Once it is blistered to perfection, they slice that hot bread open and layer it with an aggressive mountain of salty prosciutto, a massive handful of fresh arugula, and thick, creamy ribbons of stracciatella cheese.

"They finish the sandwich with a heavy drizzle of hot honey and chili oil before slamming it closed."

The crunch as they cut into it is magnificent. One bite of that savory meat mixed with the sweet heat of the honey and the ultra-milky cheese? Absolute perfection. It is easy to see why this monster won the International Pizza Expo world championship.

Neapolitan Pizza Heaven

Next up, we had to dive straight into their traditional pies. We watched the pizzaiolo stretch out a beautiful, 72-hour fermented dough ball, top it with vibrant red tomato sauce, fresh basil, and chunks of mozzarella before sliding it right next to the wood-fired flames. It cooks in under ninety seconds. Crispy, chewy, and incredible.

For something truly wild, order their Burrata Pie. They bake the crust with a packed blend of sweet red, yellow, and green heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil. The moment it comes out of the oven, they drop a massive, whole ball of fresh burrata right in the center.

Look at that pull! As soon as you slice into that burrata, it erupts, spilling its rich, creamy interior all over the hot pizza. The contrast of the hot, blistered crust with that cool, exploding cream is a total game-changer.

The Panuozzo Burger Hybrid

If you want something heavy and incredibly satisfying, you have to try their Panuozzo Burger. They grill a thick, juicy beef patty on the flattop, top it with savory bacon, sweet caramelized onions, and a massive blanket of cheese until it is completely melted.

Instead of a boring traditional bun, they bake a fresh pocket of Neapolitan pizza dough, slice it open, and stuff the cheesy burger right inside. It is messy, it is gooey, and it is an absolute masterpiece.

They also do a version packed with sweet Italian mortadella, fried potato croquettes, and a mountain of sliced mozzarella that gets baked in the oven until it drips out the sides, finished with a heavy pour of house special sauce. San Matteo is doing things with pizza dough that will change your life.

Who is hungry?