Righteous Slice Brings New York-Style Pizza to Rexburg, Idaho
Rexburg, Idaho, a small town known for its proximity to B.Y.U.-Idaho, has become a surprising haven for pizza lovers with Righteous Slice. Located over 2,200 miles from New York City, the pizzeria is transforming the area’s culinary landscape with its authentic New York-style slices.
Owner Bill Crawford, who turned to pizza-making after a career in the Air Force and a stint in mobile wood-fired pizza at local farmers’ markets, aims to offer residents high-quality, craveable pizza. “Nobody expects great pizza in Rexburg,” he shares, acknowledging the area’s price-sensitive college crowd and competition from fast-food chains.
Righteous Slice has garnered acclaim for its perfectly charred crust, low-moisture mozzarella, and a subtly sweet tomato sauce, all hallmarks of classic New York-style pizza. Crawford’s business has thrived since introducing this recipe three years ago, with demand exceeding capacity despite being located in a town often overlooked in the pizza landscape.
The rise of quality pizza outside of New York can be credited to a nationwide movement over the past 25 years. Entrepreneurs and chefs are elevating the slice experience in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and even as far overseas as Mumbai. Notable figures like Adam Kuban and Tony Gemignani have played pivotal roles in popularizing New York-style pizza across the country.
As the pizza-slice phenomenon continues to grow, Crawford has plans for a second location dedicated entirely to slices. With his son aspiring to take over the family business, the future looks bright for Righteous Slice, where the joy of pizza-making mirrors the excitement of flying an F-16 for Crawford.
