Cones & slices 🍕🍦
I Scream for Pizza (31 Quayside, NE1 3DE) is, as you might have guessed, the almost inevitable pizza by the slice offshoot from the Scream for Pizza gals. Offering NY-style pies and ice creams, it’s a natural next step and in a world where single-dish concepts are taking over both social media and people’s appetites, it makes a lot of sense. And it’s on the Quayside, which has really been missing a quality casual dining option for the longest time.
The high-footfall location makes it a perfect grab and go. It’s not quite so elegant in the depths of January, but it’s incredibly easy to imagine grabbing a slice to enjoy at whatever the latest iteration of the Quayside Seaside is, or on a Sunday when the market is on. Or on a big night out en route to the Ouseburn. Or when you’ve had too much at By the River and need some carbs. It’s almost like ‘why wouldn’t you’. I drive past almost every day, and it is astonishingly tempting.
Slices are about ÂŁ4 which seems to be de facto these days, but they are whoppers. 1 satisfies, 2 fills, 3 sends to sleep. I’ve never managed 4 on the trot. There’s a rotation of six pies on the counter, from simple cheese (above), to sausage and onion, via pepperoni, and a truffley vegan choice.
The pies… You already know they’re good. Unashamedly unauthentic, which I’ve come to respect. I’m not here to chat lactic tang from lengthy fermentations, or that perfect dough spring, but it’s just Great Pizza Every Time. You’ll find ha-ha digs at ham & pineapple alongside twists on old Scream classics, but this time in monstrous 20″ format. Never stingy on toppings, which is a common pitfall of similar joints, and though a full pie might take you to about ÂŁ22, you’re realistically getting a feed for a couple of days.
This was my most recent slice (marinara, mozz, double pepp, parm, garlic oil) and I just can’t fault it. I guess it’s the bigger sister of the Brooklyn Bee at Sandyford, and if anything, works better in this format. I’ve had maybe 50 slices since Scream opened last year, and the fact that my most recent was the best is encouraging.
Nitpicking, the baking can be a little inconsistent. Sometimes a very soft and thick and naan-like pillowy dough, and at other times It’s been a little thinner, crispier-style just on the cusp of burnt. But always delectable.
There’s an alcohol license too, which really makes it the late(ish) night joint that the Quayside has needed since it become more known for boujee bars than sawdust-floored old man pubs. Nowt daft, just the likes of PBR to wash down a couple of slices. It’s all good fun, which is very on brand.
While most people will come and go happily for slices, I’d be amiss to not mention the rest of the menu — starting with the screamies. Somewhere between sundae and ice cream, they’re soft-serve (with not too much overrun) and furnished with cake bits, garish sauces, and just very Extra. They’re way way better than I expected them to be and most importantly at the heart of it, the dairy itself is quality.
Finally, and I really can’t ignore it because it occupies my mind far too frequently — much love for the bodega rolls which are in the top 5 things I’ve eaten in the past year.
Shoving breakfast items into a Dot Bagel is almost a guarantee of success, but this hits differently. Available in veggie cheese + egg + hash brown, or with a fistful of crispy proscuitto, my advice is to get the proscuitto, add a side of hash browns into it, and behold —bold claim ahead— the best breakfast sandwich available in Newcastle. Sadly now only available on the weekends, but if you’re yet to experience it, here’s your wake up call 🚨
Shout out for the house coffee too, which is always of excellent quality (beans from these guys), and as ever, the smiley service.
Tidbits: also on the takeaway/delivery platforms, limited seating if you’re dining in, better than expected dips (go for vibrant green, and powerful truffle), check opening times just in case, pies are (as per NYC) better on a single slice reheat than on a fresh full-pie bake.
I Scream for Pizza is in its entirety, an excellent companion to the Sandyford Neapolitan pizza gaff, offering NY-style pies, ice creams, and breakfast bagels you just can’t help but love.
Contact: screamforpizza.com
Food hygiene rating: 5/5
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