Slice pizza with a kid near Isu Station, then a park picnic: Raymond

The Isu Station slice pizza place all the mom forums rave about: is it really good?

Raymond Isu Branch (레이몬드 이수점) is a slice pizza spot near Isu Station that kept getting recommended on a mom community forum, so I went on a weekend with my kid. I've rarely been let down by a place the mom forums vouch for. Pizza felt different, though. They were raving this hard about a neighborhood slice shop, not even a franchise, so honestly I went half doubting it.

"I went too, it's the real deal" "My kid asked to go again, so we went twice" "It's good even if you take it to the park"

For some reason that park comment stuck in my head 😄 So after trying Raymond Isu Branch on the weekend, here's my own review.

What kind of place is Raymond?

Raymond is a specialty shop for American, New York-style big slices. The best part is that you don't have to order a whole pie; you pick just the flavors you want by the slice. One slice is about the size of two slices from a regular franchise, so even a single slice is pretty filling.

Going with a kid is perfect, since everyone can pick a different flavor to their taste 😊

Atmosphere at Raymond Isu Branch: is it OK with a kid?

Raymond Isu Branch has an American casual diner feel with generously spaced tables, so it doesn't feel cramped or awkward with a child. I got it the moment I walked in: ah, that's why the forum comments were what they were. The American casual diner vibe is the real thing. The smell of baking pizza hits you as soon as you open the door, the lighting is warm, and the tables have plenty of room.

You order on a tablet at the table, and the photos are big, so it was great for choosing together with my kid. My plan to just get takeout fell apart within 30 seconds of stepping inside, and I simply sat down 😄

3 slices we ate at Raymond Isu Branch

🧀 Big Cheese Pizza: thick but not greasy, the classic

The Big Cheese Pizza came out first as the basic option. The cheese is thick and nutty yet surprisingly not greasy. The tomato sauce isn't sour or harsh, and the ratio with the cheese feels just right. The dough is New York style: thin and crisp outside, chewy inside.

If the basic one is this good, I figured I could trust the others too. The mom forum recommendations weren't for nothing; I was convinced after the first bite.

🌶 Big Pepperoni Pizza: the adults' favorite

The Big Pepperoni Pizza got the best reaction from the adults. The pepperoni is packed on with no empty spots. I was happy with how it looked, and the taste didn't let me down either. The salty, smoky pepperoni blends with the cheese for exactly that American pizza joint flavor.

It would be perfect with a beer 🍺 but I was with my kid, so I saved that for next time, haha.

🍍 Big Bacon Hawaiian Pizza: my kid's pick, crust and all

Even I, a pineapple-pizza skeptic, was won over by the Big Bacon Hawaiian Pizza. You know Hawaiian pizza divides people. I'm normally a bit skeptical about pineapple on pizza too, but this was different. The pineapple isn't just sweet; it does exactly the job of cutting the richness. Savory bacon, fresh pineapple and salty cheese all get sorted out in a single slice.

My kid liked this one best and finished all of it, dipping even the crust in garlic sauce. And this is a kid who normally doesn't eat the crust 😄

Is Raymond pizza still good taken to the park?

We carried the leftover slices from Raymond Isu Branch in the box to a nearby park and ate them like a picnic. Once we were fairly full, a few slices were left. The weather happened to be nice, so we moved to a nearby park with the box in hand.

Raymond's dough doesn't get very soggy after takeout. Even after some time the texture holds up, so eating it in the park was still plenty tasty. That park comment on the mom forum was true.

Verdict: a casual but quality meal with a kid near Isu Station

Good atmosphere, good taste, and pizza that's tasty even as takeout. When you want a light but quality meal with your kid near Isu Station, I sincerely recommend Raymond Isu Branch. Next time I'm planning a visit with my husband for a beer alongside.