I'm going to New Haven this weekend and I'd like to do a pizza tour. I've got sat lunch and dinner and Sunday brunch to take down some pie. I'm thinking 3 or 4 places. So far I've read: Modern; pepe's; Sally's and something like Zuppardi's Apizza.
Where should I go?
I would add BAR in New Haven to Modern, Pepe's and Sally's and skip Zuppardi's, which is in West Haven.
I only know Zuppardi's by reputation among friends who grew up in West Haven and held it in high regard; I don't know how it is considered now except for a general sense that it is still solid, but I don't know that it warrants going outside the core four of New Haven.
If I you're going to travel outside New Haven, Bufalina in Guilford would be the only one different and potentially better enough to warrant it imo. That would only be Saturday dinner because they aren't open for lunch or on Sundays, and it's a tiny place, so I'd call for reservations, like now.
Otherwise, you're fine just sticking with BAR, Modern, Sally's and Pepe's in New Haven, keeping in mind that tomorrow is The Game, so there are a ton of Yale and Harvard alumni in town. Most will be at the game tomorrow afternoon. Pepe's will have the most potential for a line, so lunch on Saturday or very early dinner is probably best. White Clam (with bacon if desired) is their most unique and signature pie, but everything is great.
At BAR, try the bacon and mashed potato (I prefer it red, but many get it white). They also have a great salad. And good beer. And they will also be crowded.
Modern always has a couple good and fresh New England Brewing beers on tap, so that's a another consideration. It will be busy too, but it is larger and they move people faster. Everything is great there. They also do a nice job with the white clam--second to Pepe's there imo.
Sally's is the wild card. I drove up Wooster St. on my drive home at around 6:15 tonight and they had no line, but the line at Pepe's was down the street. If you are going to Pepe's you might as well try Sally's too if time and lines permit, but I don't think they are open for lunch, so that might be a good call later Saturday after early dinner at Pepe's or one of the others.Depending on the circumstances, it could be the best experience of the four, or it could be the worst. It is not likely to be in between.
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