OT: Best Pizza in CT

[Chuck]

I haven't lived in Connecticut since my UConn days. Loved Pepe's during New Haven visits. I also like Willington because... well I was a college student and it was better than Gumby's, Primo's (man those two places were horrible), Dominoes, Little Caesars, and Sgt Pepperoni (those are the ones I remember and I know, I'm dating myself). I do wonder if I'd like it now.

I just want to add, however, that the most overrated pizza around is the typical NY neighborhood pizza place. Same with their stupid bagels. Good... sure, but I can find just as good in Northern NJ (especially the pizza in my old Hoboken days) and I'm sure you can find the same in most CT towns. There is more of it in NY, but god do I get tired of every jerk from Brooklyn (that didn't even grow up there like my whole family did) that says if a place isn't using New York City water, it sucks.

 

[UC313]

Just had the new haven pizza company's pie. Located in Wolcott. Pepperoni was reminiscent of harrys but not as thick. Wood fired oven. Im giving it an 8. Solid apizza.

 

[huskyrob1]

Out of all those I would put Bar towards the bottom. Never understood why people say it's above the big 3.

Part of me thinks it's that they have it after or while drinking there and that influences their decision.

With that said the mashed potatoe pie is top notch

Bar is just that, it's bar pizza, but as bar pizza goes it's really really good. Not up to Modern or Zup standards but still good for bar pizza and the atmosphere is nice.

 

[shizzle787]

 

[huskyrob1]

This. Pepe's New Haven is still the benchmark for me. The fact that the Fairfield branch is below par has no effect on the pies in New Haven.

Only thing I don't like about Pepe's is their sausage pie. They slice the sausage in thin rounds like it's pepperoni, I feel cheated. The dough and crust is top notch as are the other toppings, but their sausage is lame. Compare that to Zupps, Modern or Roseland where you get big tasty chunks.

 

[superjohn]

I haven't lived in Connecticut since my UConn days. Loved Pepe's during New Haven visits. I also like Willington because... well I was a college student and it was better than Gumby's, Primo's (man those two places were horrible), Dominoes, Little Caesars, and Sgt Pepperoni (those are the ones I remember and I know, I'm dating myself). I do wonder if I'd like it now.

I just want to add, however, that the most overrated pizza around is the typical NY neighborhood pizza place. Same with their stupid bagels. Good... sure, but I can find just as good in Northern NJ (especially the pizza in my old Hoboken days) and I'm sure you can find the same in most CT towns. There is more of it in NY, but god do I get tired of every jerk from Brooklyn (that didn't even grow up there like my whole family did) that says if a place isn't using New York City water, it sucks.

Connecticut does pizza better than NYC and Jersey does bagels better than NYC.

 

[superjohn]

Only thing I don't like about Pepe's is their sausage pie. They slice the sausage in thin rounds like it's pepperoni, I feel cheated. The dough and crust is top notch as are the other toppings, but their sausage is lame. Compare that to Zupps, Modern or Roseland where you get big tasty chunks.

Modern has the best sausage pie I've ever tasted.

 

[shizzle787]

Modern has the best sausage pie I've ever tasted.

Lamberti's sausage can do that.

 

[jibsey]

Yes.

San Gennaro in Forestville/Bristol & Chunky Tomato in Bristol.

San Gennaro is an amazing place with tremendous pizza, wood fired brick oven, but the rest of their menu is killer. They do huge portions of great quality at very reasonable prices. Chicken parm, stuffed ricotta eggplant. Really nice staff and owner. Hidden gem.

 

[Lefty2one]

Out of all those I would put Bar towards the bottom. Never understood why people say it's above the big 3.

Part of me thinks it's that they have it after or while drinking there and that influences their decision.

With that said the mashed potatoe pie is top notch

I lived in New Haven for a decade, I really like BAR but it always seemed like they were trying to emulate Modern but couldn't quite nail it. That said, I put BAR at #3 on my list after Pepe's. Modern will probably always be tops, I've never had any pie in any state that's better. Sally's was always overrated to me.

Speaking of overrated, NYC pizza has never really stood out to me. I've been to the famous spots over the years, I'd put all of the top New Haven places over those NYC shops. I don't know if it's the sauce or the dough but something is missing from most of the pies down there.

 

[FASTEDDY]

I third this sentiment. I think there are two issues here. First, a lot of you are spoiled. The pizza here in upstate NY SUCKS...BAD. Any of these options are great compared to what I have to deal with up here. Second, there is a lot of personal preference here. I don't know how much any of the big three have "gone downhill" as much as how much people's tastes have changed with age and a wider range of experiences. I am about as Italian as you can get. My tastes are forged by my childhood experiences. Some people might hate what I love and vice-versa although my experience is that my family contains some insanely good cooks so most people love what I consider classic Italian cooking. I have an aunt in Buffalo whose food damn near brings me to tears when I eat it. For me, I rarely get back to New Haven and when I finally did, I went to Pepe's. I still love it... a lot!

There was a place in Buffalo that I had GREAT Pizza at. I forget the name but it very well known there. These guys were making tons of pizza. Had a lot of ovens and were just cranking them out. Very good. among the best I ever had. The name will come back to me.

Imperial Pizza is the place.

 

[imno1]

Read my post again!!! What are you disagreeing with? I think I said I rank Modern #1, then Zuppardis. Not sure what your point is, if any.

Sorry to ruffle your feathers. I was only offering my opinion. I believe you stated that Zuppardi's made the best sausage pie not just the sausage that goes on the pie. For my taste I prefer the Modern sausage pie.

 

[imno1]

Can we all agree to separate Pepe's on Wooster St from the other Pepe's

 

[FASTEDDY]

Can we all agree to separate Pepe's on Wooster St from the other Pepe's

Only makes sense.
At some point it may be helpful to rate the various Pepe's locations so that if you cant make it to New Haven for the original, then you can go to the best other Pep's locations in the region.

I have heard from several; people that Fairfield Pepe's is not too good. don't know about West Hartford, Manchester or others.

 

[huskyrob1]

Can we all agree to separate Pepe's on Wooster St from the other Pepe's

I think even Wooster St cuts corners with the chincy sausage pie they make. They slice the sausage in thin rounds like it's pepperoni. I feel cheated. For my money give me big tasty chunks like at Modern or Zuppardis.

 

[huskyrob1]

Sorry to ruffle your feathers. I was only offering my opinion. I believe you stated that Zuppardi's made the best sausage pie not just the sausage that goes on the pie. For my taste I prefer the Modern sausage pie.

They're both great, but if I had to choose it would be Zupps.

 

[August_West]

Can we all agree to separate Pepe's on Wooster St from the other Pepe's

yes thats a given.

 

[huskyrob1]

Only makes sense.
At some point it may be helpful to rate the various Pepe's locations so that if you cant make it to New Haven for the original, then you can go to the best other Pep's locations in the region.

I have heard from several; people that Fairfield Pepe's is not too good. don't know about West Hartford, Manchester or others.

My two cents on Pepe's in Danbury, it's ok but way overpriced. Johns Best in Brookfield makes a good pie, and a medium with sausage and mushrooms will run you about $14, same medium pie at Pepe's a mile away will cost you $23 and it's a cut below Johns Best, IMHO, and the sausages are sliced thin like pepperoni, not big chunks.

 

[superjohn]

My two cents on Pepe's in Danbury, it's ok but way overpriced. Johns Best in Brookfield makes a good pie, and a medium with sausage and mushrooms will run you about $14, same medium pie at Pepe's a mile away will cost you $23 and it's a cut below Johns Best, IMHO, and the sausages are sliced thin like pepperoni, not big chunks.

Think you may have the prices wrong and mushrooms on a pizza, yuck.

 

[superjohn]

Only makes sense.
At some point it may be helpful to rate the various Pepe's locations so that if you cant make it to New Haven for the original, then you can go to the best other Pep's locations in the region.

I have heard from several; people that Fairfield Pepe's is not too good. don't know about West Hartford, Manchester or others.

Outside of The Spot and Pepe's New Haven, I've only had Danbury and Fairfield and Danbury was better. I'll try the Waterbury one next time I'm in CT.

 

[huskyrob1]

Think you may have the prices wrong and mushrooms on a pizza, yuck.

Sorry John, prices are pretty accurate. Call both places yourself and put an order in for a medium pie (16 in) with two toppings, say sausage and pepperoni. Ask for the total with tax, they will tell you to the penny. Pepe's can afford to charge a lot more because people will just go there for the name, but if I'm feeding 10 kids at a birthday party I'm calling Johns Best. Lol

As far as mushrooms go as a pizza topping.....

The Top 10 Most Popular Pizza Toppings (INFOGRAPHIC) | The Huffington Post

 

[zyron]

Outside of The Spot and Pepe's New Haven, I've only had Danbury and Fairfield and Danbury was better. I'll try the Waterbury one next time I'm in CT.

I have had the one in Fairfield and the one in the Mohegan casino and Fairfield was better. I think they just crank them out as fast they can at Mohegan.

 

[Calhoun's Court]

Mike's Apizza in West Haven makes a great pie too.

 

[superjohn]

Sorry John, prices are pretty accurate. Call both places yourself and put an order in for a medium pie (16 in) with two toppings, say sausage and pepperoni. Ask for the total with tax, they will tell you to the penny. Pepe's can afford to charge a lot more because people will just go there for the name.

As far as mushrooms go as a pizza topping.....

The Top 10 Most Popular Pizza Toppings (INFOGRAPHIC) | The Huffington Post

It's reasonable for a big pie. Modern's is really reasonable, almost a steal at their prices. Pizza costs more out here in Chicago.

 

[Walker11]

I have had the one in Fairfield and the one in the Mohegan casino and Fairfield was better. I think they just crank them out as fast they can at Mohegan.

I think I have had Pepe's in Fairfield about 100 times and it is wildly inconsistent. Some times it is perfection and some are too chewy and way too thick and some are way too burnt. It is still one of the better pies in the area but you can catch them on a bad day and have a 6/10 pizza.