Pizza at Kay's Pizza
It is said that the pizza you grow up with is the pizza by which all other pizza will ever be judged -- regardless of how good or bad that childhood pizza was. As a result, pizzas of many types -- and a range of relative merits -- have a special place in the hearts of people.
Sure, that very poofy crust/exceptionally thin crust/sweet sauced/tangy sauced/underbaked/overbaked/whatever pizza might have its flaws, but it's your pizza. And eating it evokes memories.
No matter what type of pizza holds that place in your heart -- and no matter how good (or bad) that pizza is -- there is little doubt the pizza from Kay's will stand up to it favorably.
There are several reasons why someone would venture over hill and dale to dine at Kay's Pizza in Averill Park. One might be for location. (Kay's is situated nicely on Burden Lake.) One might come for the history. (The building has a long history as a restaurant, serving pizza since 1958). And some come for the aesthetic. (Vinyl checkered tablecloths cover each table, with a table number written in Sharpie on the end of each. There is almost always a deluge of cars overwhelming the tiny dirt road and parking lot, which only leads to a lingering line on the front porch. Waitresses call you "hun" and "babe" and squeeze your shoulders and the owner frequently steps out of the kitchen to wish you well.)
But mainly, people come for the pizza and the prices.
Let's start with the pizza. This is pub-style pizza at its finest. Soft, squishy crust is baked in a pan, and slathered with just enough sauce so the top layer of dough is almost soggy (in the best way, like when you dip baguette into the leftover jus from boeuf bourguignon). Atop the sauce is a stringy mix of cheeses -- mostly mozzarella -- that holds everything together and brings joy to giggling children as they marvel with each new slice at the long strands of molten delight.
From there you could add toppings, but why would you? The cheese pizza is so satisfying that it's hard to justify throwing anything else on there. But people do, and Kay's offers a variety of toppings and specialty pizzas, including BBQ chicken and a gluten-free version.
The pizza will come to you quickly, but don't hesitate in ordering an appetizer anyway. The steamed clams are sure to please, and feel especially fitting when dining waterside. The Buffalo wings are a classic, no-fuss iteration of the area menu staple but tasty nonetheless.
Beer comes in pitchers with not-quite-a-pint plastic glasses that evoke that old neighborhood hangout feel. (I'm pretty sure you can order pop in pitchers, as well, which might be especially helpful if feeding a mass of hungry youngins.) And while there are plenty of two- and four-tops to accommodate smaller parties, there are long tables that somehow fit perfectly on the uneven floors.
One would be hard pressed to find a more cost-friendly place to feed a group. The prices feel almost criminal and make you wonder how it is possible for the joint to stay operational. My first foray to Kay's included two pitchers of beer, two large pizzas, a basket of wings, and a basket of steamers, and the bill barely came to $60. I had to double check to make sure that everything was tallied up right.
While it might be a wee bit out of the way for many, don't overlook Kay's for meetups with friends and for family nights out. You can always swing by Moxie's in nearby Wynantskill for ice cream on the way home.
Kay's is only open April through October. But don't worry, you still have 123 days left to take part in the tradition that throngs of people throughout the Capital Region have come to love.
Deanna Fox writes about many things, mostly about food. More can be found on her website, Twitter, or Instagram.
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Find It
Kay’s Pizza
10 Walsh Lane
Averill Park, NY 12018
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Comments
Maybe it was because I don't have the nostalgia-factor, but the one time I had their pizza (after an hour wait) - I really wasn't that impressed.
Instead of driving 30 minutes and waiting, I'd rather drive five minutes and get a good Sicilian-style at Minissale's in Troy.
... said Danielle Sanzone on Jun 10, 2014 at 1:56 PM | link
A hike, paddle and/or swim at Cherry Plain State Park followed by dinner at Kay's... Plan hatched! :))
http://nysparks.com/parks/attachments/CherryPlainMapofSurroundingDECTrails.pdf
... said Jamie on Jun 10, 2014 at 2:09 PM | link
used to love eating there after swimming at burden lake, great place!! it's also very close to stewart preserve which is a nice place to hike, i wrote about my awesome experience there
http://tothecapitalregionandbeyond.wordpress.com/2014/05/23/807/
... said julie on Jun 10, 2014 at 8:20 PM | link
@Danielle - I'm sorry you had that experience! I really like Kay's for all sorts of reasons. But I can see how it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea.
@Jamie - I like the sounds of that. Show up with an appetite!
... said Deanna on Jun 10, 2014 at 8:22 PM | link
LOL - glad you mentioned the sloping floors - wouldn't want anyone to be afraid of that - also, for first timers - culturally at Kay's there is no hostesss/host to seat you, it is first come, first served, and it is not unusual (actually expected) that if a portion of one of the long tables opens up and your group fits in the number of seat, you take it - you can become very friendly with your neighbors - and there is seating in the - what I call the front room - by the bar, don't forget to look there for seats
... said Betty on Jun 11, 2014 at 10:15 AM | link
@Julie - awesome, thanks! I'll check it out.
@Betty - All good points. I should have thought to mention that. Thanks for giving newbies the heads-up!
... said Deanna on Jun 11, 2014 at 12:25 PM | link
Looks so great!
Now i'll have to make do here with my own sauce that i froze,and Thomas english muffins.
... said mg on Jun 11, 2014 at 1:55 PM | link
We went after reading this post and I have to say... it was just ok.
While the owner did come out and talk to us.
I had the perception that 1. We would be able to see the water from a deck or something outside in the restaurant when in fact it was all in an enclosed space and 2. the pizza was just ok.
Thanks for the tip about the location it was beautiful to drive there from Albany.
... said sk on Jun 11, 2014 at 4:12 PM | link
Had my first taste of Kays Pizza when I was kid in the 1950's and living on Burden Lake Road. The pizza hasn't changed in all those years. My favorite is the all meat and an order of boneless wings with a beer. Bring back the dented pizza tins though.
... said George Robbins on Jun 12, 2014 at 10:28 AM | link
LOVE Kay's! I NEVER eat the crust of pizza.. just never have.. but Kay's is the first pizza that was "crust worthy" for me! Living in East Schodack, my fiance' and I count down the days until Kay's opens and we'll eat there, I'm almost embarrassed to say, once a week sometimes when it is. Almost every time we go, we see someone we know; it's a real hometown feel that is hard to find these days. One of my absolute favorite spots for date nights or going out with friends to go hang out and grab a slice.. Just one of my favorite spots. :-)
... said Libby on Jun 12, 2014 at 3:16 PM | link
You have to try it, there is nothing that compares to Kay's pizza!
... said Cornelius whalen on Jun 12, 2014 at 7:10 PM | link
I have lived all over the United States and Europe And Kay's is the best pizza I have ever had I wait every year for opening day Because I don't have pizza from anywhere else It's a long long winter without Kay Pizza Opening day can't come soon enough for me
... said Kathy Petell on Feb 29, 2016 at 2:25 PM | link
Kay's Pizza is more than a childhood memory for me, it is "the" memory. My mother "Frannie" worked there for over 35 years. She was often asked if she was "Kay" by new customers that did not know the restaurant's history. Growing up we did not dine at Kay's but the pizza was brought home regularly. My mother worked until closing most nights so we ate the pizza the next day unless it was the weekend then we anxiously waited for its arrival. My mother has passed and we now visit Kay's regularly. Just the aroma of Kay's triggers memories, it was a second perfume on my mother along with Estee Lauders Beautiful. The older waitresses know who we are and greet us like family. Just recently during one of our visits, we were seated at a large table with other customers. They overheard my conversation with the waitress about my mother. They began to tell me their own fond memories of my mother and that they have been going there for years. Then as we were leaving almost every table stopped us to tell us how much they loved "Frannie".
... said Mari-jo Hotaling-Gamache on Jun 12, 2016 at 10:04 AM | link
This place rocks . only been there once but best pizza I have ever had and the workers are the best fast and polite even if I had to weight about an hour to get my table the service was really fast and just on top of things and the pizza wow , great little place to go just go early on after 5 the place just hops with all kinds of ppl , great place to go after the races on a Saturday night for a cold beer and some good food . this guy will be back again soon and with some new ppl to enjoy this awesome place .
... said dennis on Jun 13, 2016 at 2:44 PM | link
When it gets busy, you now get seated at Kays and don't have to run for your table anymore. Go and check it out. Featured pizza of the week Mac and Cheese. Its awesome.
... said Kathy on Jun 15, 2016 at 12:17 PM | link