The hot dog I have been meaning to try for years
Hello, I’m Denya. I write about the small things I keep noticing in Singapore. This is the kind of story I’ll send every other week.
Singapore has plenty of pizza, but I have found surprisingly few places where you can walk in, eat one slice and continue with your day.
Choice Cuts Pizza & Records on Joo Chiat Road is my exception. My children call it their favourite pizzeria, which is why I have been there often enough to stop pretending every visit is research.
I would not call it the greatest pizza I have ever eaten. What Choice Cuts gets exactly right is the slice-shop ritual. A large New York-style slice comes out of the display, goes back into the oven, then gets a little oil and fresh herbs.
My usual order is Homie Pepperoni. I like the sourdough base: crisp, chewy and worth eating in its own right. I also like MF Shroom and the occasional tandoori chicken, but I usually end up ordering pepperoni.
The room has worn floors, a boombox, a disco ball and bins of vinyl records for sale. Hip-hop, funk and soul supply the soundtrack. The staff joke with the easy familiarity of people who assume you have been coming for years. In my case, they are right.
If one slice is not enough, the full pies come in an enormous box. Walk down Joo Chiat Road carrying one, and everyone looks at you with respect.
There is also a New York-style hot dog. I have never seen anyone order it, and I have never tried it.
I have been planning to investigate for several years.
What is the thing you keep meaning to order at your regular place, but never do? You can reply to this email.
Denya