OT: Best Pizza in CT

[8893]

But in my mind, both are a hair behind Salerno's in Stratford. I have a thing for Salerno's. It's the direct descendant of the pie I grew up with (C&C, at the corner of Connecticut and Carrol Avenues in Bridgeport). Same family. Same recipe. Same taste and texture.

Salerno's like Roseland, fits my formula for always getting a good pizza when on the road. There MUST be a neon sign in the window or over the door, and it must flicker a bit, or have a letter out. And the magic word must begin with an A. Generally speaking, it won't say APIZZA if it's not Neapolitan. If it says APIZZA in flickering neon, go right in and inhale. If you smell a little burnt olive oil and oregano in the air, order up. Everything will be OK.

I agree that Salerno's is very similar to the pizza I grew up with in Bridgeport/Stratford. It's a decent pie, but like you, I like it more than other non-New Haven pie because it instantly transports me to that "scamozza" pie of my youth. You must have grown up with your family calling it that, right?

But I don't like it better than Pepe's (or Sally's, BAR, Modern or Bufalina). Actually went to Pepe's last night for the first time in a long time. Looking forward to the leftovers tonight...

Salerno's is good, but it's not a great pizza. So your wife must like Paradise Pizza in Stratford with their Greek Pizza. It is a Greek Pizza that I really like too and love it when they burn the cheese a little.

As Greek pizza goes, I also like Paradise. Ate a lot of that growing up, too. Especially with meatballs. But it's not pizza to me. In other words, if I am in the mood for pizza, Greek pizza is not going to do. If I am in the mood for something else tasty to eat, it's perfectly fine.

 

[Husky25]

And your point is...it must be me then. Just throw

My point is simply that all "pizza" is not created equal.

 

[8893]

Are you talking about Colony grill? If you didn't eat at the one in Stamford (Like you didn't eat at the New Haven Pepe's) than it is nowhere as good.

Is Colony Grill in Stamford really good? I've never been a huge fan of bar style pizzas but they must be doing something right to be around so long.

Very good. They only make one size, a good size personal pizza. Very thin crust (It is a really thin pizza overall) and is great with their hot oil or stingers (a hot pepper). I only tried the Fairfield location a little while after they opened and was not as good as Stamford, like eating at Pepe's in Fairfield.

This is another one I don't get at all, and one I don't consider to be the same food as "apizza." Loaded with oil, tasteless crust. The stingers give a nice little burn, but that's about the extent of the attraction for me. Otherwise it strikes me like a lot of other bar food that tastes great when you're drunk, and feels terrible later and the next day.

 

[RichZ]

it instantly transports me to that "scamozza" pie of my youth. You must have grown up with your family calling it that, right?

Pronounced "Scamotze" when we were kids. I've been told by a couple native Italians whose word I trust, that scamorza is actually a smoked cheese that is a good bit chewier, stretchier and 'cheesier tasting' than mozzarella. I kind of doubt that's what all the apizza places in Bpt were actually using back in the day, but that's sure what we grew up calling it.

As Greek pizza goes, I also like Paradise. Ate a lot of that growing up, too. Especially with meatballs. But it's not pizza to me. In other words, if I am in the mood for pizza, Greek pizza is not going to do. If I am in the mood for something else tasty to eat, it's perfectly fine.

I had relatives that lived in the Longview park neighborhood, so we ate Paradise a time or two. Might have been the first Greek pie I'd ever tasted. Didn't mind it, but didn't like it that much, either. But all I had to compare it to was real pizza, so I can't say how it stacks up within its own genre. It was tasty, but not pizza as I knew it. Then again, Paul's on East Main street was very different than the places I was most familiar with, and I flat out loved their pie.

Jenny's, was a really popular place in Bpt. back in the 50s and 60s, but I was never really crazy about it. The sauce seemed too sweet and the crust was a bit undercooked for my taste. They moved to Monroe quite a long time ago. I live there, but I never tried them in that location until recently. Tasted exactly like I remember it. Not bad, but not a place I'd go out of my way to eat at.

 

[8893]

Pronounced "Scamotze" when we were kids. I've been told by a couple native Italians whose word I trust, that scamorza is actually a smoked cheese that is a good bit chewier, stretchier and 'cheesier tasting' than mozzarella. I kind of doubt that's what all the apizza places in Bpt were actually using back in the day, but that's sure what we grew up calling it.

Yes, same exact pronunciation here. But it was almost always followed by "pie," so it often sounded like it ended with an 'a' when you said them together, kind of like "apizza."

And yes, that is exactly true about scamorza, but it is not usually smoked (I believe that's more common in the northern Italy). And I agree with you, it's probably not what the Bpt. places were using, but it was the name our relatives called it, most likely because that's what they knew moreso than mozzarella. But there was definitely something a little snappier about whatever it was that they used.

I had a grilled cheese sandwich made with scamorza (non-smoked) the other day at a place in Madison. Verrry stretchy. Very good.

I had relatives that lived in the Longview park neighborhood,

You mean L0ngbrook, right?

 

[OkaForPrez]

Has anyone ever taken the time to list out all the places mentioned in this thread and how many times they are mentioned? @Fishy don't we have interns around here?

 

[8893]

Has anyone ever taken the time to list out all the places mentioned in this thread and how many times they are mentioned? @Fishy don't we have interns around here?

http://the-boneyard.com/threads/ot-best-pizza-in-ct.31258/page-31#post-1316378

 

[RichZ]

You mean L0ngbrook, right?

I looked at that and said to myself, 'that's not right," but was too lazy to look it up. Did you go to the Stfd public schools? If so, you might have had my uncle for math.

 

[8893]

Did you go to the Stfd public schools? If so, you might have had my uncle for math.

Only until second grade (Great Neck School in Lordship, which no longer exists--the school, that is).

 

[OkaForPrez]

http://the-boneyard.com/threads/ot-best-pizza-in-ct.31258/page-31#post-1316378

Perfect, so who is in the middle of trying and rating all of them?

In all honesty you might get a book deal out of it.

 

[8893]

Perfect, so who is in the middle of trying and rating all of them?

I have definitely tried many of them that interest me based on this thread, and I have reported my findings when I have. I don't think I could stomach all of them though.

The most useful resource would probably be a blog, something like Tom Fitzmorris's fine nomenu.com, which covers the New Orleans restaurant scene and has up-t0-date ratings and various other helpful lists. But limited just to CT pizza.

Not a bad idea, actually.

 

[zyron]

I looked at that and said to myself, 'that's not right," but was too lazy to look it up. Did you go to the Stfd public schools? If so, you might have had my uncle for math.

I did, Center School, Wooster Middle school and Stratford High School.

 

[RichZ]

I did, Center School, Wooster Middle school and Stratford High School.

Can't recall whether he was at Stfd or Bunnnel. I think both at different times. Ed Jezierny. He was actually one of my 3 favorite uncles.

 

[GemParty]

In the Newington area two excellent Greek pizzas are Elm Hill & Townline. Grew up on both but love New Haven style too.

I confirmed tonight that Elm Hill, like many Greeks, uses a mix of mozzarella & cheddar cheese. The pie often has a browned crispy cheese top.

 

[zyron]

Can't recall whether he was at Stfd or Bunnnel. I think both at different times. Ed Jezierny. He was actually one of my 3 favorite uncles.

The name seems really familiar, I think I may of had him.

 

[RichZ]

Can't recall whether he was at Stfd or Bunnnel. I think both at different times. Ed Jezierny. He was actually one of my 3 favorite uncles.

Not Ed. That was one of his sons. Mike. Mike Jezierny.

 

[David 76]

Difference between scamorza and mozzerella and the by product of ricotta (which means recooked)
http://communities.chef2chef.net/forums/showPosts.do?topicId=1460938&display=desc

 

[Drew]

http://m.marketwired.com/press-rele...-university-of-connecticut-campus-2069872.htm


Great add to the area. Can see this being a HUGE success

 

[8893]

This caught my eye on the Alumni board:

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza Soon to Open Near University of Connecticut Campus

Sounds like it could be a good spot for a pre or post game meal with the family.

I'll be interested to hear reviews when it's open. Looks like there are already quite a few of them across the country--anyone here been to one? Interesting concept, background and investors.

 

[ct06111]

In the Newington area two excellent Greek pizzas are Elm Hill & Townline. Grew up on both but love New Haven style too.

I confirmed tonight that Elm Hill, like many Greeks, uses a mix of mozzarella & cheddar cheese. The pie often has a browned crispy cheese top.

Elm hill is my spot. Grew up on it and still support them today. Love elm hill.

Newington:
Greek style: elm hill, town line, yannis,

Stretch's, Joey Gs,
Giovanni's for plain sheet pie.

Cheap cardboard pizza that is ok: best pizza near Best Buy on tpike.

 

[TXHuskyFan]

Been to a Blaze by my office in Texas. All I can say is...eh. Gets by in a pinch for a quick lunch, but definitely not a destination pizza, even with the crap that borderline passes for pizza around here. Doubt I'd ever take the family there for dinner. In Connecticut, you'd have a ton of better options, even for a quick bite after a game.

 

[8893]

Been to a Blaze by my office in Texas. All I can say is...eh. Gets by in a pinch for a quick lunch, but definitely not a destination pizza, even with the crap that borderline passes for pizza around here. Doubt I'd ever take the family there for dinner. In Connecticut, you'd have a ton of better options, even for a quick bite after a game.

Bummer...but thanks for the honest review. Saved me a trip and some wasted $$ that sounds like it will be better spent at Willimantic Brewery, as usual...

 

[HarryAGampel]

Great to see Storrs Center picking up so many new tenants. Crazy that this wasn't built earlier; there is clearly a demand!

 

[Paesano]

Anyone here try Sergio's in Hamden? I don't live down there anymore so I rarely get to Hamden. And when I have stopped by to say hi, I always get the veal. Good god I love veal and their veal was awesome! It was opened by my father's cousin and his children still run it. I really don't know how the pizza is.

 

[August_West]

Anyone here try Sergio's in Hamden? I don't live down there anymore so I rarely get to Hamden. And when I have stopped by to say hi, I always get the veal. Good god I love veal and their veal was awesome! It was opened by my father's cousin and his children still run it. I really don't know how the pizza is.

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