Cosigns: Grabbing A Slice With Chris Black

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Complex Original

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"Cosigns" is an ongoing series of conversations in which we talk to people, much cooler than ourselves, about their favorite places.

Chris Black is a New York City based producer, manager, advisor and strategist with a wholly original perspective and pedigree who injects a radically unique twist into any situation. Part collector and part conscriptor, Black excels at bringing together unlikely collaborators to create unparalleled results. His current clients include New Balance, Hornitos Tequila, Unis, Jake Davis, and U.S. Royalty. Oh yeah, he also really fucking likes pizza.

Lawrence:  What's up? How's your weekend going?

Chris:  Hey, bud. Good. I saw Moonrise Kingdom yesterday.

Lawrence:  What did you think?

Chris:  I liked it more than I thought it would. The two kids were great actors.

Lawrence:  Yeah, they did a phenomenal job for first timers. My buddy thinks "I love you, but you don't know what you're talking about" is going to be the line of the summer

Chris:  That is a classic line. Something I definitely plan to use myself.

Lawrence:  No doubt. Want to talk about some pizza real quick?

Chris:  Yes of course.

Lawrence:  You're a big pizza fan, right?

Chris:  I'm a huge pizza fan. I have truly considered eating it for every meal.

Lawrence:  Did that happen once you moved to NYC or has it always been your jam?

Chris:  I definitely liked pizza, but living in NYC really opened my eyes.

Lawrence:  Was the pizza in Atlanta that bad? When I lived in North Carolina the options were mediocre to put it mildly.

Chris:  It's pretty mediocre. There are spots that I like - Antico Pizza and Savage Pizza are both pretty good. Totally different vibes.

Lawrence:  Are those chains or locally owned spots?

Chris:  Locally owned. Mellow Mushroom is by far the best chain pizza place. I think that is a universally understood fact.

Lawrence:  Agreed. Mellow Mushroom was pretty much the only pizza move I could make in NC without feeling like I was going to hell. When thinking about your favorite pizza, are you drawn to more traditional styles or are you into unique fusion styles, that futuristic shit?

Chris:  I like it all. Different situations call for different styles of pizza. I love Roberta's or Paulie Gee's, but I will also eat a regular slice and be pleased.

Lawrence:  Everyone knows that NYC is absolutely teeming with pizza places. Some are good. Some are great. And there are a lot that straight up suck. If you could only eat pizza from one spot in the city where would it be?

Chris:  I order Lil Frankie's all the time and I love it, BUT I would have to say Famous Hakki Pizza on Rivington is going to take the title.

Lawrence:  Do you remember your first time eating there?

Chris:  Yes. A little back story: It looks pretty shitty from the street, so I walked by it everyday for two years and never once even considered going in. I was hanging out with my friend and neighbor, Sarah Lewitinn, and she let me know that I was totally missing out. I tried it real soon after that and was totally hooked.

Lawrence:  What kind of pizza do they serve there?

Chris:  Well, the owner is a dough throwing champion so the crust is really on point. It's thin and crisp with just a little chewiness. It's pretty light on the sauce and cheese, which I prefer.

Lawrence:  A dough throwing champion? What does that even mean? Dude does tricks?

ChrisYeah, he can do some wild shit. He has awards and accolades all over the walls. He was a member of the U.S. Pizza Team in 2009 and 2010. Who knew the U.S. had a fucking pizza team?

Lawrence:  That's absurd. Do you get dinner and a show when you go in there? Is he literally stunting with his dough?

Chris:  No. It's always busy so there isn't much showmanship happening. At one point they had a television in the window showing him in action.

Lawrence:  Seems like Hakki's doing quite well for himself. I assume other people share your sentiments.

Chris:  It's a very popular after school stop for local kids. I don't go near there from 3-5PM during the week. It's too much for me. He semi-recently opened another location on Essex.

Lawrence: Is there a particular item you always go for?

Chris: I go with regular cheese because I'm civilized. A lot of people like the BBQ chicken slice, which just feels a bit gluttonous to me.

Lawrence:  It's hard to go wrong with the classics. That's typically my approach to pizza as well. Though I guess it depends on how drunk I am.

Chris:  I used to be a big pizza when drunk guy. I met my match at Jumbo Slice in DC. Shit's very, very real at Jumbo Slice.

Lawrence:  When an ex of mine was going to college in DC she was supposed to take me there. She transferred before I ever took that field trip, but I've since seen Jumbo Slice on television a few times. All those terribly corny food shows that highlight the most ridiculous spots in America are my guilty pleasure. Guy Fieri, if you're reading this, l'll be your personal stylist free of charge.

Chris:  The line at Jumbo Slice is long and filled with the worst sorts of drunk people.

Lawrence:  If I'm sober, any drunk person is the worst kind of drunk person.

Chris:  That's exactly how I feel.

Lawrence:  And if I'm starving and waiting in line with those fools? It's a wrap.

Chris:  I walked by the Shake Shack line yesterday and was baffled. SO LONG.

Lawrence:  When the weather gets nice that place pops off like Kim Kardashian was autographing buns or some shit. It is a tasty burger all line nonsense aside.

Chris:  Hakki has a photo with Kim Kardashian together in the Essex location.

Lawrence:  I mean, the man's a dough throwing champion. Chicks want a piece of the action.

Chris:  How could they not?

Lawrence:  And normally I wouldn't touch Kim Kardashian's taste with a ten foot pole, but with your cosign I think I'll manage.

Chris:  I don't think Kim and I agree often.

Lawrence:  Especially these days considering you hate Kanye West.

Chris:  I like Kanye West! I don't like those shoes at all though. I'm interested in seeing his film because 2 Chainz is in it.

Lawrence:  And if there's one thing you love more than pizza, it's 2 Chainz.

Chris:  Those are two great things.

Lawrence:  Is there anyone you'd rather share a slice with?

Chris:  That would be pretty funny. 2 Chainz, Ron Artest, Bill Murray and myself sharing pizza. Throw in Haikki and that picture would be legendary.

Lawrence:  The finest collection of gentlemen ever assembled I would imagine.

Famous Hakki Pizza is located at 170 Rivington St. and 123 Essex St. in New York City.

You can always hire Chris Black to make you cooler. Follow him on Twitter and Tumblr.

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