It's been quite awhile since I ran a giveaway, but thanks to the generosity of the guys at Joe's Brooklyn Pizza, that's now remedied. One week from today, some lucky reader of this blog will win a Joe's gift card worth $30. That'll buy plenty off Joe's menu - say, a 19" large, classic cheese pie with a side of wings, or a 32-slice sheet of thick Sicilian pizza.
And don't ignore Joe's tempting lineup of specialty pies. On my latest visit, I tried one of Joe's latest creations: a white pie with black garlic and fresh figs.
I've seen figs on pizza menus before, and I've even tried them at home, with chopped dried figs, which turned out pretty well.
Now I know that not everybody's a fan of figs. But a lot of people are also only familiar with the dried variety.
Fresh figs are qualitatively different. It's like the difference between a plump, juicy grape and a raisin. You can find them, sometimes, in the produce section of the supermarket. They're expensive (I think I've paid $6 for four of them before), but worth it.
And they worked very well here. The figs were sweet, but not cloyingly so. They both complemented and contrasted with the aromatic and flavorful black garlic, making for a surprisingly good combination. I've said many times that great pizza is all about balance, and this one beautifully straddled the line between sweet and savory.
By the way, I should mention that, whatever you order, if you choose to eat it on the premises, Joe's now offers several beers on tap to enjoy with your meal, including locally brewed Naked Dove, and, of course, several offerings from Brooklyn Brewery. Look for the lineup to change on a regular basis.
Now about that gift card: I'll pick a winner at random in one week, on Friday, September 5, in the early afternoon. To enter, simply leave a comment at the end of this blog post, anytime before noon next Friday. You need not leave your full name here, but you cannot leave a purely anonymous comment. One entry per person, please.
I will announce the winner on this blog, on Facebook, and on Twitter. If you want, you can email me at ROCpizzaguy@gmail.com (or include your email address in your blog comment) and I will notify you directly if you win. Otherwise, it's your responsibility to check and see if you've won.
If you do win, you will need to get me your full name and mailing address, via email. If I don't hear from the winner after several days, I may award the card to another reader.
Finally, if you win, please let the guys at Joe's know, when you use the card, that you won it here. For that matter, anytime you go to a local pizzeria based in part on something you read on this blog, please mention the blog. I'd appreciate it. The more pizzeria owners know that people read this blog, the more apt they'll be to agree to do these giveaways.
OK, now let loose with those comments!
Joe's Brooklyn Pizza, 1100 Jefferson Rd., Henrietta
585-424-JOES (5637)
Mon. & Tue. 11 AM - 9 PM
Wed. - Sat. 11 AM - 10 PM
Sun. noon - 8 PM
$30 gift card for pizza? I'll take it!
ReplyDeleteI would love to try Joe's! Always in search of s good Sicilian pie.
ReplyDeleteawesome to hear they have beer now! gotta make it back soon.
ReplyDeletePick me........im thinkin of doing a chicken wing blog.........
ReplyDeleteWe have had Joe's before and we like Joe's !
ReplyDeleteBig Joe Brooklyn
ReplyDeleteIn it to win it.
ReplyDeleteJoe's Brooklyn is absolutely one of my favorite pizza places in Rochester.
ReplyDeleteI have had good and bad at Joes Pizza. I would love to try them again, and free coupons would be a great thing.
ReplyDeleteJohn
I've been looking to try this place ever since I heard about them on the radio.
ReplyDeleteI'm always down for Joe's Brooklyn!
ReplyDeleteCount me in. Love me some Joe's.
ReplyDeleteNever had figs on a pizza, but I'd give it a try
ReplyDeleteLove Joe's rrooklyn pizza!
ReplyDeleteTried joes by your recommendation last week. We loved it. Also tried a slice of fig while we were waiting- delicious. Can't wait to go back!
ReplyDeleteI personally think this is the best pizza in Rochester. Terrific giveaway!
ReplyDeleteLove Joe's pizza!
ReplyDeleteWow, who would have thought you could get fresh fig pizza in Rochester, no less Henrietta! Love Joe's Brooklyn pizza, and am delighted to hear that in addition to the great Brooklyn style pizza they now also have Brooklyn beers. Just hope they add "Sixpoint" brewery beers as well, especially Resin. Anyway, whether I win the card or not, I am definitely trying the fig pizza as soon as I can get out there. Thanks for taking the time to produce this informative and entertaining blog- Jamie S.
ReplyDeleteHey man. I lurve your blog and I'm at Joe's Brooklyn at least once a week as I work nearby. It is some of the best pie going, and I'll be sure to mention that I saw them here. Also of course I want my name in your drawing. :)
ReplyDeletethis sounds great! I've only ever managed slices from this place
ReplyDeleteNo comments or replies? Odd. Pizza guy is waiting.
ReplyDeleteI miss working in Henrietta as I used to frequent Joe's weekly, if not twice a week! The pizza there is always fresh and I've yet to have a mediocre, or worse slice or pie. I still get there a couple times per month. Def worth stopping by if you're in the mood for pizza that doesn't taste like every other place around.
ReplyDeleteThe pizza guy must be out of town? No comments posted? Very strange...
ReplyDeleteFigs on a pizza!? I'll have to try that. Hopefully by using the gift card :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
- Matthew Brown
For anyone looking for something different try the Pulled Pork Specialty Pizza, ITS DELICIOUS. Joes definitely has the best pizza in ROC (IMO).
ReplyDeletewhat a creative flavor profile - nice work, Joe's! :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I LOVE Joe's! We only order from them and have made Sunday night our pizza night! Their pizza is always delicious and they always have something new to try. The BBQ pulled pork is AWESOME and all the fresh ingredients make their pizza second to none. I'm so happy you're recognizing them! This is the BEST pizzeria in Rochester! - KMatero0418@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteJoe's has the best pizza in Rochester - hands down. Having grown up on NYC style pizza, no other place gets it right.
ReplyDeleteIt's been far too long since I've had a lunch date with Joe's. Love the Grandmas Pie!
ReplyDeleteThat pizza looks absolutely delicious. Last night I was talking to some friends about how good pizza is in New York and how your can't really find pizza of that caliber anywhere else. Just looking at this pizza is making my mouth water. I will have to try my hand at making my own pizza tonight! http://www.caffebelgiorno.com.au
ReplyDeleteI love this blog and have learned a lot about pizza here and have discovered many new places to try because of your excellent blog. My wife and I love pizza and this blog is a great resource. I would never have know about Pizza Stop, Fiamma, Joe's Brooklyn and some others without you! Thanks, Chris
ReplyDeletelooks good!
ReplyDeleteLove to get my hands on one of Joe's pies.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried this pizza yet! Pick me!
ReplyDeletemcasale.glf@gmail.com
Fig pizza, all day.
ReplyDeleteFig pizza, all day.
ReplyDeleteI love Joe's!
ReplyDelete