Eat
Photo by Andrew J. Williams III.
Slice of Life
September 30, 2022 @ 12:00pm
We’ve all been there in what Sinatra dubbed the “wee small hours.” When it’s so late it’s early and needs become simpler, but making decisions gets harder. What’s open? What sounds good? What’s close, fast and cheap? The answer to all the above is pizza.
While there’s never a bad time to eat pizza, there’s something about a late-night slice on the go. It usually won’t break the bank, and it fills you up without slowing you down — effective whether you’re headed home or further into the morning. You can often customize your slice using shakers of crushed red pepper, oregano and parmesan, and it’s almost imperative you grab a dozen thin napkins to protect yourself from rivulets of scalding, tangerine-colored grease.
This isn’t a top 10 list or a taxonomy or a review. Consider it an invitation to stay up, venture out, not overthink a meal or get caught up in reviews and hype. This is about the pizza you want — the pizza you need — when you’re burning that midnight oil.
Andy’s Pizza
Andy’s adds an upscale addition to D.C.’s late-night pizza scene. Open until 3 a.m. on Saturdays, the soundtrack — dance remixes of Madonna, Kesha, Katy Perry and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs — keeps the party going while the award-winning pizza delivers on all accounts. Various locations; eatandyspizza.com // @andyspizza
Duccini’s
Open as late as 4 a.m. on weekends, Duccini’s classics hit the spot. If you’re in the mood for something special, their menu also hosts “pizza delights:” slightly more complicated but equally delicious flavors. 1778 U St. NW, DC; duccinisdc.com
Jumbo Slice
18th Street Northwest is the beating, oversized heart of D.C.’s jumbo slice scene. Open as late as 3:30 a.m., ending — or pausing — a night out with a Pangaea-sized slice is a D.C. rite of passage. Eating that amount of cheese, crust and sauce from Jumbo Slice is nearly a full-body experience, requiring deft and constant contortions of hands and mouth. 2341 18th St. NW, DC; jumboslicepizzamart.com // @jumboslicedc
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Manny & Olga’s
The OG of late night ’za. With outlets in Silver Spring, Petworth, Georgetown, H Street, Tenleytown, Capitol Hill and elsewhere, you’re probably never more than 10 minutes from a Manny & Olga’s. Their 14th Street location is open so late that early morning commuters can stop by. Various locations; mannyandolgas.com // @mannyandolgas
Pizza Boli’s
Continue up 18th and you’ll find the classic Pizza Boli’s, open until 3 a.m. on weekends. They boast a secret sauce setting them apart from other late-night joints, and pizzas are customizable if you’re up to the challenge. Various locations; pizzabolis.com // @pizzabolis
Red Light
Further down 14th you’ll find one of the District’s first places devoted to the crispy, chewy, sauce-topped rectangular slab that is Detroit pizza. Open until 2 a.m. on weekends, Red Light only sells whole pies, an excuse to take or make friends.
1401 R St. NW, DC; redlightpizzabar.com // @redlightbardc
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Slice & Pie
A new entry to late-night pizza, Slice and Pie sits at the intersection connecting U Street, Columbia Heights and Dupont, with Shaw and LeDroit Park a little farther afield. Open until 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday, they serve up
delicious slices of New York- and Detroit-style pizza. Dipping sauces like ranch and marinara are worth the extra charge. 2221 14th St. NW, DC; sliceandpie.com // @eatsliceandpie
Sonny’s
Up Georgia Avenue, Sonny’s also serves the Motor City’s contribution to late-night pizza. Serving pizza by the slice or by the pie, there’s options for whatever group you find yourself in. 3120 Georgia Ave. NW, DC; sonnyspizzadc.com //@sonnyspizzadc
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Wiseguy Pizza
Stepping into Wiseguy Pizza is an event, even more so on weekends when they’re open until 3 a.m. Crooners play overhead while all manners of gangsters, from Michael Corleone to John Gotti, look on. The pizza options — which include vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free selections — fill the case to the point of bursting. Among the most alluring flavors are paneer tikka, Korean chicken and garlic ricotta-based Whitestone. Various locations; wiseguypizza.com //@wiseguypizza
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