If you’re not from the Northeast, you might be scratching your head, asking yourself, ‘What’s the big deal about New Haven Pizza? And why is it worth taking a road trip from New York City just to eat said pizza?’
Well, I’m here to fill you in on an (arguably well-known) secret. According to many, New Haven, Connecticut has some of the best pizza in the country. That’s right. The entire country.
But you’re probably wondering, how and why did this happen? And is it really worth a road trip from NYC or the tri-state area to taste this pizza?
As someone who travels often just to eat good food, I can answer this question with a resounding yes.
I can also answer those other questions, with a mini-history lesson.
So if you’re curious to learn more about New Haven Pizza plus where to find the best pizzerias in New Haven to try this style of pizza, keep reading for all the gooey and cheesy details. (Sorry, I had to!)
Related: If you love traveling for food, then you’ll want to check out my food guides for Providence, Rhode Island, and Woodstock, NY.
What is New Haven Pizza?
Ok, first thing’s first. Let’s talk about New Haven-style pizza, or as the locals call it, apizza. New Haven-style Pizza is a regional style of pizza that is considered among the best in the country. It’s a dirtier version of the Neapolitan style, with coal-fired, charred thin-crusts, oblong-shaped pies, and tangy sauces.
Sausage and onion, oblong-shaped pie from Sally’s Apizza
All ‘apizza’ made in New Haven has a few things in common. Intensely hot brick ovens are used, and the pies are left in longer for that signature charred (never say burnt!) crust. In addition, New Haven-style pizza dough is fermented longer than its quick rise New York-style pizza neighbor. Allowing the dough to sit overnight in the fridge and then slowly come to room temperature before shaping and baking give the dough a distinct taste and chewy texture.
The first kind of pies made in New Haven consisted simply of the famed charred crust and a tangy tomato sauce. That’s it! No mozzarella or ‘mootz’ as the locals call it. A lot of die-hards still appreciate this very simple version, and most of the New Haven pizza parlors sell a version of it. (We opted for the mootz and lots of toppings for all of the pizzas we tried.)
How Did New Haven Become a Hot Spot for Pizza?
At the turn of the century, when many immigrants were arriving in the United States, New Haven became a popular town to settle in for Italian families. One neighborhood, in particular, Wooster Square, became home to many Southern Italian families, who were accustomed to eating Neapolitan pizza. Not wanting to forego eating their beloved pizza, they started making it themselves. And as they say, the rest is pizza history!
Where to Find the Best Pizza in New Haven
While many pizza parlors have popped up in New Haven, there are three pizzerias that are considered the best in town. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, or Pepe’s, was the first to open on Wooster Street in 1925. Modern Apizza opened next in 1934, on State Street. The final pizzeria of the big three is Sally’s Apizza, which opened in 1938, also on Wooster Street. The only newcomer that’s come close to the level of the big three is Bar, located a few blocks away from the other pizzerias on Crown Street.
Each of these pizzerias has its signature pies. If you want the full experience, I highly recommend at least getting the signature pie from each of the big three pizzerias. And if you have enough of an appetite, I would also get one of the classic pies at each of these institutions. I mean, if you’re driving all this way to try the pizza, you might as well make it worth your while, right?!
Here’s the breakdown of each of the big three, including which pies to order:
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
Founded: 1925
Address: 157 Wooster Street, New Haven, CT
Oven: Coal-fired brick oven
Signature pizza: White clam pizza (add Bacon if you get this pie. You won’t regret it!)
Modern Apizza
Founded: 1934
Address: 4 State Street, New Haven, CT
Oven: Open flame brick oven
Signature pizza: The Italian Bomb
Sally’s Apizza
Founded: 1938
Address: 237 Wooster Street, New Haven, CT
Oven: Coal-fired brick oven
Signature pizza: Tomato Pie, Garden Pie
Other Food Highlights Worth Noting in New Haven
While it’s true that in food circles, New Haven is most famous for its pizza, it’s also home to another culinary gem, Louis Lunch. This humble (and tiny!) hamburger restaurant in New Haven claims to be the first restaurant to serve hamburger sandwiches and the oldest hamburger restaurant in the United States. Family run since 1895, it originally opened as a small lunch wagon. The same family (now the 4th generation) still runs the place, and it’s considered one of the oldest, family-run businesses in the country.
Louis Lunch still serves the same classic burger, made from 5 cuts of meat, and served on a classic white bread toast. The only garnishes they allow are cheese, tomatoes, or onions because they want you to experience the meat’s true flavor.
For the most part, I’m not eating red meat anymore, but I will make exceptions for classic burger institutions like this one. It is definitely worth trying if you make it to New Haven!
Why It’s Worth Taking a Road Trip to New Haven to Try the Pizza
There’s something so fun about taking a road trip where the sole purpose is to enjoy good food. Of course, as usually happens with travel, you end up getting to see other cool things along the way. Case in point, New Haven is also home to Yale, which has a beautiful campus worth exploring. (You gotta walk off that pizza somehow, right?)
So, have I convinced you yet? Are you ready to take a road trip to try the pizza (and the burgers) in New Haven, Connecticut?
I promise you won’t regret it! We had such a good time sampling the pizza, we are already planning our next trip. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you there. Just make sure to save some pizza for me!
No Comments