OT: Best Pizza in CT

[Hey Adrien!]

Homemade? Forget the haters I'll bet it was delicious. Although I agree with the poster who questioned it's status as pizza

I can co-sign with this thought.

Yes homemade, yes delicious, but I concede…it should have been shared on the flatbread thread rather than the pizza thread.

 

[Waquoit]

Put me down in the "deep-dish isn't pizza" column. I agree, it's closer to lasagne. And I've been to Lou Malnati's. All the ingrediants are fine but the configuration is sub-optimal for me.

 

[imno1]

I've only had takeout once from Sally's Fairfield and it was a major disappointment. Not only was it not worthy of the Sally's name, it wasn't even good for an average corner pizzeria. On the other hand, as other people have mentioned, the Fairfield Pepe's has been great.

Growing up in NH Sally’s was always my favorite but they are ruining their rep with these new locations that serve substandard pies at higher prices than their competitors. My experience was the same as yours in Fairfield although I haven’t been back since they first opened. Pepe’s in Fairfield has gotten a lot better over time.

 

[huskyjawz]

Growing up in NH Sally’s was always my favorite but they are ruining their rep with these new locations that serve substandard pies at higher prices than their competitors. My experience was the same as yours in Fairfield although I haven’t been back since they first opened. Pepe’s in Fairfield has gotten a lot better over time.

Is the original New Haven Sally's still top notch or has it fallen along with the new locations?

 

[imno1]

When

Is the original New Haven Sally's still top notch or has it fallen along with the new locations?

When they‘re on they are still the best but Sally’s is not as consistent these days.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[husky429]

Finally got down to Little Rendezvous now that things have calmed down last weekend. It was a good pie, but IMO not worth a 9.1. Under crust (or whatever the heck it's called) was a tad chewy for my liking. Felt like I was getting a jaw workout the whole time. Loved the sauce, slightly burnt cheese, and the crunch on the edge crust. Definitely would go back, but it doesn't top a few places in the state for me.

 

[Kolumbo]

Lemon ricotta, new potatoes, pistou, red pepper flake and dill from the grill.

View attachment 101899

We get pizza from the same half dozen places close to home but I need to try it more when we are on the road, or make a special trip to New Haven. I've also been to a couple places in Torrington and agree those places make great pizza. Grew up on mostly the Greek style so I am partial to that and I love NY slices.

This photo, no. Any random food placed on dough does not make it pizza. Potatoes, pasta, fruit, various deep-fried chicken, and anything bbq or buffalo, all absolute "No's." Just like sheet on a hamburger roll doesn't make it a burger. This image concoction is really some version of potato something or other and should be put on a plate instead of pizza dough. Save the carbs, taste the potatoes.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Pequod's is pan pizza but also falls under deep dish. Pequod's and Burt's are different than traditional Chicago Deep dish, they have the caramelized crust and the cheese and toppings on top where traditional Chicago deep dish is cooked in a cake pan which yields a flaky crust and they put the cheese on the bottom then toppings and sauce on top. They're both a lot better IMO than the cracker thin square cut tavern style pizza Chicagoans consider Chicago pizza and people are hyping up lately.

Connecticut does pizza so much better than everywhere else.

Shhh, I know. I picked Pequods on purpose! I could have used Ginos or Lou Malnati's.

 

[Deepster]

Just for kicks, I went back to page 1 of this thread. From 1/5/13 to 1/21/13 alone (16 pages), there were 21 posts specific to Sally's or Pepe's.

And the thread has continued another 11 years and 305 pages after these posts.

Replicant	10/02/2011	S	Everybody knows Sally's and their Famous Fresh Tomato Pie is an absolute classic and delicious!
CTBasketball	01/05/2013	P	I've got money on Pepe's in New Haven but what do you all think?
cjd05002	01/05/2013	P	Pepes quality declined once it started to expand.
sledog	01/05/2013	S	Sally's w/o a doubt.
huskysupporter	01/05/2013	S	I must be the only person who can't stand sally's pizza.
stick	01/05/2013	S	Sally's on their worst day probably makes a better pie than any other CT Pizza place's best day except maybe Pepe's in New Haven. The reality is Sally's main pizza makers are amazing. The only negatives to Sally's is the wait times, mediocre service and a horrific bathroom.
stick	01/05/2013	P	Pepe's New Haven – I've never tried any of the other locations, but I probably have Pepe's more often than any other as the wait is not too brutal and the quality of their pies are great most of the time. Compared to Sally's, Pepe's is professionally run and their bad days (mediocre pies) are better than most of the other pizza places.
upstater	01/05/2013	P	Pepe's is still better than Modern. All these pizza places are infinitely better than what you get outside the state, but after not having Pepe's for 6 months, you instantly know they do it right. Fresh tomato sauce slow simmered for a very long time, breaks down the acid. Most pizza places don't bother. That's the key for me.
GemParty	01/05/2013	S	The Best: Sally's Apizza New Haven, wait & ambiance could improve. Wife hates the bathrooms.
GemParty	01/05/2013	P	Very Good New Haven style Pizza & great portions for pastas. Try Joey Garlics Newington. Try the eggplant fries with a blizzard of Parmesan cheese.
Stick	01/05/2013	S	But I'll say this there's no way there's a better pizza than Sally's in the WORLD. There might be places that can make it as good, but impossible to make it any better when Sally's has its A game. Sally's Pizza at their best is a 10 and I'm a fairly tough critic.
8893	01/05/2013	S	Once upon a time it was true that Sally's had the best, going solely by quality of pizza and not counting service, hassle, atmosphere, etc. The good news is that it is rarely a hassle any more because there is rarely a line these days. The bad news is that there is a reason: the quality and cleanliness have plummeted.
8893	01/06/2013	P	The original Pepe's is still great, especially for the white clam pie. No one comes close on that one. And all the others are still solid.
willie99	01/06/2013	P	I prefer Pepe's because they're the only one that serves a fresh whole clam pizza, and it's my favorite pie in the world
GreatHusky	01/06/2013	S	If you like thick and sloppy, Pepe's is for you. I prefer Sally's because it is thin and crunchy.
UConnKev	01/06/2013	P	If I had to rank the best pies I've had in Connecticut, it would go like this: 1) Pepe's in New Haven only
uconnbill	01/06/2013	P	Pepe's is my favorite and it has to be clam in season.
HuskyNationJE	01/08/2013	SP	Sally's is by far the best pizza in CT. Pepe's is still good, but has fallen off with all their expansion and lack of loyalty to their roots on Wooster St.
DoronElAmin	01/11/2013	S	For my money, the best pizza in CT is still Sally's.
imno1	01/14/2013	SP	I may be old school but for me the real test of greatness is how the pie taste with few or no toppings. Dough, sauce, and cheese for the most part. I'll take Sally's for that. For a specialty pie I'll take the original White clam at Pepe's.
JustHusky	01/21/2013	P	Pepes pizza with anchovies. May be disgusting to some, but for the true fans out there, true bliss.

 

[GlastonTim]

Finally got down to Little Rendezvous now that things have calmed down last weekend. It was a good pie, but IMO not worth a 9.1. Under crust (or whatever the heck it's called) was a tad chewy for my liking. Felt like I was getting a jaw workout the whole time. Loved the sauce, slightly burnt cheese, and the crunch on the edge crust. Definitely would go back, but it doesn't top a few places in the state for me.

Yeah, had it a month ago. Not that good in my opinion. Recently had Zuppardi’s and Pepe’s in Fairfield. Both so much better than Little Rendezvous. Don’t get any of the love.

 

[imno1]

Just for kicks, I went back to page 1 of this thread. From 1/5/13 to 1/21/13 alone (16 pages), there were 21 posts specific to Sally's or Pepe's.

And the thread has continued another 11 years and 305 pages after these posts.

Replicant	10/02/2011	S	Everybody knows Sally's and their Famous Fresh Tomato Pie is an absolute classic and delicious!
CTBasketball	01/05/2013	P	I've got money on Pepe's in New Haven but what do you all think?
cjd05002	01/05/2013	P	Pepes quality declined once it started to expand.
sledog	01/05/2013	S	Sally's w/o a doubt.
huskysupporter	01/05/2013	S	I must be the only person who can't stand sally's pizza.
stick	01/05/2013	S	Sally's on their worst day probably makes a better pie than any other CT Pizza place's best day except maybe Pepe's in New Haven. The reality is Sally's main pizza makers are amazing. The only negatives to Sally's is the wait times, mediocre service and a horrific bathroom.
stick	01/05/2013	P	Pepe's New Haven – I've never tried any of the other locations, but I probably have Pepe's more often than any other as the wait is not too brutal and the quality of their pies are great most of the time. Compared to Sally's, Pepe's is professionally run and their bad days (mediocre pies) are better than most of the other pizza places.
upstater	01/05/2013	P	Pepe's is still better than Modern. All these pizza places are infinitely better than what you get outside the state, but after not having Pepe's for 6 months, you instantly know they do it right. Fresh tomato sauce slow simmered for a very long time, breaks down the acid. Most pizza places don't bother. That's the key for me.
GemParty	01/05/2013	S	The Best: Sally's Apizza New Haven, wait & ambiance could improve. Wife hates the bathrooms.
GemParty	01/05/2013	P	Very Good New Haven style Pizza & great portions for pastas. Try Joey Garlics Newington. Try the eggplant fries with a blizzard of Parmesan cheese.
Stick	01/05/2013	S	But I'll say this there's no way there's a better pizza than Sally's in the WORLD. There might be places that can make it as good, but impossible to make it any better when Sally's has its A game. Sally's Pizza at their best is a 10 and I'm a fairly tough critic.
8893	01/05/2013	S	Once upon a time it was true that Sally's had the best, going solely by quality of pizza and not counting service, hassle, atmosphere, etc. The good news is that it is rarely a hassle any more because there is rarely a line these days. The bad news is that there is a reason: the quality and cleanliness have plummeted.
8893	01/06/2013	P	The original Pepe's is still great, especially for the white clam pie. No one comes close on that one. And all the others are still solid.
willie99	01/06/2013	P	I prefer Pepe's because they're the only one that serves a fresh whole clam pizza, and it's my favorite pie in the world
GreatHusky	01/06/2013	S	If you like thick and sloppy, Pepe's is for you. I prefer Sally's because it is thin and crunchy.
UConnKev	01/06/2013	P	If I had to rank the best pies I've had in Connecticut, it would go like this: 1) Pepe's in New Haven only
uconnbill	01/06/2013	P	Pepe's is my favorite and it has to be clam in season.
HuskyNationJE	01/08/2013	SP	Sally's is by far the best pizza in CT. Pepe's is still good, but has fallen off with all their expansion and lack of loyalty to their roots on Wooster St.
DoronElAmin	01/11/2013	S	For my money, the best pizza in CT is still Sally's.
imno1	01/14/2013	SP	I may be old school but for me the real test of greatness is how the pie taste with few or no toppings. Dough, sauce, and cheese for the most part. I'll take Sally's for that. For a specialty pie I'll take the original White clam at Pepe's.
JustHusky	01/21/2013	P	Pepes pizza with anchovies. May be disgusting to some, but for the true fans out there, true bliss.

Haha El Presidente must have read my original post.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Yeah, had it a month ago. Not that good in my opinion. Recently had Zuppardi’s and Pepe’s in Fairfield. Both so much better than Little Rendezvous. Don’t get any of the love.

The thing I love about Zuppardis is not only is it easily on par with Pepe’s and Modern but it is right down the street (2 minutes away, from the West Haven beaches and it’s heavy duty picnic tables. They also will make a delicious thin crust tomato pie if you call ahead. That being said, if you want a treat then a sausage & mushroom pie, or sausage only pie, or margarita pie is to die for. I do not know where they get their olive oil from
but it definitely makes a difference, not to mention, it still is the only pizzeria that still makes it’s own sausage. The best clam pies I have had have been at Zupp’s and Pepe’s. The best tomatoe pie I ever had came straight from the hands of Sal Consiglio about 50 years ago. I went again last year for the same, took one bite and asked for the check and a take home box, my wife and I then walked out and went up the street to Pepe’s. Our Newfoundland had the Sally’s pie when we got home.

 

[CL82]

Connecticut does pizza so much better than everywhere else.

My wife and I are of the same opinion. It's not even close. People talk about New York pizza, Philly pizza, Chicago pizza, but a few out of Connecticut talk about Connecticut pizza. And it's not as if it was only one type. You have the New Haven style pies, Southeastern Connecticut style pies, which I actually prefer, and there even is a decent subgroup of Greek style pies. All are excellent in their own way and one of them better than what I've had outside of the state. Which isn't to say that I haven't had good pizza elsewhere, it's just that Connecticut pizza is consistently better.

 

[Fairfield_1st]

I had a Pepe's bacon on 7/3 and will have it again on 7/10. Love it. My son put meatball and bacon on his half. I meet my college friends there and have for years, so the nostalgia of going there wins all tie-breakers. I've yet to try Zups or Sally's, but will at some point.

 

[Staven]

I drive by Sally’s and Pepe’s almost everyday and the lines that form around noon are 20 plus deep. I love the pizza from the both of them but Modern I think has the slight. It’s splitting hairs to be honest. Overall, New Haven pizza is unbeatable at least in my opinion

 

[rman726]

I had Zeneli for the first time yesterday. It was excellent, but I still prefer the New Haven style from Pepe’s and Sally’s. I do need to get back to try the Nutella desert pizza though…

 

[upstater]

Sally’s fell off a cliff when the Consiglio family sold it to some conglomerate. I might even go back a little further and say when Sal Consiglio died the place just changed. Bobby and Rick still made appearances at the restaurant but were not there every day.

But the guy who made pizza with them for 30+ years is still there, Rey. He's their pizza guru for decades now.

He can't work 7 days a week though. I'd call him on his secret phone and ask which day he's working.

 

[imno1]

I drive by Sally’s and Pepe’s almost everyday and the lines that form around noon are 20 plus deep. I love the pizza from the both of them but Modern I think has the slight. It’s splitting hairs to be honest. Overall, New Haven pizza is unbeatable at least in my opinion

The problem lately with Modern is their phone is always busy. I wish you could order online like Pepe’s or Sallys

 

[fatlucy]

The problem lately with Modern is their phone is always busy. I wish you could order online like Pepe’s or Sallys

I’ve tried 5 times in the last few months to order take out. It’s always busy and based upon the line out the door it’s a good thing…for them.

 

[superjohn]

My wife and I are of the same opinion. It's not even close. People talk about New York pizza, Philly pizza, Chicago pizza, but a few out of Connecticut talk about Connecticut pizza. And it's not as if it was only one type. You have the New Haven style pies, Southeastern Connecticut style pies, which I actually prefer, and there even is a decent subgroup of Greek style pies. All are excellent in their own way and one of them better than what I've had outside of the state. Which isn't to say that I haven't had good pizza elsewhere, it's just that Connecticut pizza is consistently better.

You kind of have to try hard to eat pizza that isn't good in Connecticut. It's nothing like that in other states and outside of Sally's it's still usually a value. Chicago pizza is really disappointing. Deep dish hits the spot every once in a while but Chicagoans say thin crust Tavern style is the real Chicago pizza and it's never better than mediocre. There's several NY style and New Haven out here but it's not all that good. All the pizza is badly overpriced as well.

I honestly kind of gave up on eating pizza out here, it stinks. When I'm back in CT I have it every other meal.

 

[storrsroars]

You kind of have to try hard to eat pizza that isn't good in Connecticut. It's nothing like that in other states and outside of Sally's it's still usually a value. Chicago pizza is really disappointing. Deep dish hits the spot every once in a while but Chicagoans say thin crust Tavern style is the real Chicago pizza and it's never better than mediocre. There's several NY style and New Haven out here but it's not all that good. All the pizza is badly overpriced as well.

I honestly kind of gave up on eating pizza out here, it stinks. When I'm back in CT I have it every other meal.

I've never eaten at Piece, but was thinking about it next time I'm out there just to compare. You're saying it's not worth the bother?

 

[CONN78SEJ]

But the guy who made pizza with them for 30+ years is still there, Rey. He's their pizza guru for decades now.

He can't work 7 days a week though. I'd call him on his secret phone and ask which day he's working.

I know they hired Rey around the time Sal died, the place continued but without Sal the place just lost something. My first Sally’s pizza was in 1978, still remember Sal. My first Pepe’s was a year later, and my first “Spot” was a month later, after that never went to the restaurant again, always got my pizza from the “Spot”, unless it was with family or a special occasion. Frank Pepe was actually Sal’s uncle. I had my first Zuppardis pie thanks to an old girlfriend from Milford who assured me she could take me to a pizza place that had pizza just as good, if not better than Pepe’s and Sally’s.

 

[upstater]

I know they hired Rey around the time Sal died, the place continued but without Sal the place just lost something. My first Sally’s pizza was in 1978, still remember Sal. My first Pepe’s was a year later, and my first “Spot” was a month later, after that never went to the restaurant again, always got my pizza from the “Spot”, unless it was with family or a special occasion. Frank Pepe was actually Sal’s uncle. I had my first Zuppardis pie thanks to an old girlfriend from Milford who assured me she could take me to a pizza place that had pizza just as good, if not better than Pepe’s and Sally’s.

It's really all about the preference of each person. My big thing is the taste of the crust. Everything else follows.

I love Zuppardi's for the sausage and the fresh clam pizza, but their crust is not at the same very high standards of the others.

Pepe's was my favorite growing up but both the Spot and the main place are wildly inconsistent now. I got a very thick pizza at the Spot last year, and I tried Pepe's again 2 weeks ago and was again disappointed.

Sally's is consistent, at least for me.

People get annoyed by waiting in Sally's lines, I get it.

 

[Staven]

I had Zeneli for the first time yesterday. It was excellent, but I still prefer the New Haven style from Pepe’s and Sally’s. I do need to get back to try the Nutella desert pizza though…

I’ve had Zeneli a few times clearly not in the same ballpark as the “big 3” but they are an acquired taste with respect to their pizza. I will say that I enjoyed everything I ordered when I was there and the service is good. They have a huge oven that needed to be brought through their front window that needed to be removed