OT: Best Pizza in CT

[Huskybass]

If same as Bishops Corner in West Hartford, very good.
And also if so, were they oringinally on the western edge of W Hartford Center on Farmington Ave?

Yes, same owners. They used to have a place on Farmington Ave for many years. I believe it is a spin off of Pepe's of sorts as the owner worked at Pepe's prior to opening his first place in Hartford in 89, then added the West Hartford (no dollar oyster night, sorry) location in 91. The Glastonbury location opened in 2013, I think.

 

[tentoes4rings]

I think it was mentioned early in the thread but Ilianos’ Washington St location in Middletown is consistently fantastic. They offer slices, with a great variety of white and red pies. Definitely worth a visit for anyone nearby who hasn’t tried it.

 

[8893]

I have had Harry's a few times here in Glastonbury over the past couple of months. Perhaps the best pizza in Glastonbury, and a contender for best in the Hartford area. It's that good.

If same as Bishops Corner in West Hartford, very good.
And also if so, were they oringinally on the western edge of W Hartford Center on Farmington Ave?

Yes, same owners. They used to have a place on Farmington Ave for many years. I believe it is a spin off of Pepe's of sorts as the owner worked at Pepe's prior to opening his first place in Hartford in 89, then added the West Hartford (no dollar oyster night, sorry) location in 91. The Glastonbury location opened in 2013, I think.

Harry's was owned by three people: Harry, Mark and Barbara. If I remember the story correctly, they met when they were working at Hot Tomatoes in Hartford, when that place was in its heyday and they were making really good money. They heard that there was good profit in pizza and they knew that Hartford was lacking, especially as compared with New Haven, so they decided to open a pizza place. They knew Pepe's was regarded as the best, so Mark and/or Harry worked there just long enough to get some insight on the ingredients and preparation, and together with Barbara they opened a takeout only place on Capital Avenue in Hartford. The place did a booming business and they expanded out to a full service restaurant on Farmington Ave. in West Hartford center (next to Lavery Appliance), where they thrived for many years. The pizza was always solid (it has many mentions in this thread) and the place was great; they had standard pizza ovens though, so they never achieved the char you get with coal or wood fired ovens.

I believe Barbara was married to Mark initially, but then they divorced and she married Harry. I think she had children with each of them, and she split from and reconciled with Harry few times before finally ending it in a less-than-amicable split with Harry, but she remained business partners with Mark and they opened one or more "Barb's Pizza" or something like that. I have no idea who owns what now, or how many establishments any of them have.

 

[The Funster]

Word has that Pepe's is expanding into Maryland. Near a car wash, I'd imagine.

 

[Huskybass]

Harry's was owned by three people: Harry, Mark and Barbara. If I remember the story correctly, they met when they were working at Hot Tomatoes in Hartford, when that place was in its heyday and they were making really good money. They heard that there was good profit in pizza and they knew that Hartford was lacking, especially as compared with New Haven, so they decided to open a pizza place. They knew Pepe's was regarded as the best, so Mark and/or Harry worked there just long enough to get some insight on the ingredients and preparation, and together with Barbara they opened a takeout only place on Capital Avenue in Hartford. The place did a booming business and they expanded out to a full service restaurant on Farmington Ave. in West Hartford center (next to Lavery Appliance), where they thrived for many years. The pizza was always solid (it has many mentions in this thread) and the place was great; they had standard pizza ovens though, so they never achieved the char you get with coal or wood fired ovens.

I believe Barbara was married to Mark initially, but then they divorced and she married Harry. I think she had children with each of them, and she split from and reconciled with Harry few times before finally ending it in a less-than-amicable split with Harry, but she remained business partners with Mark and they opened one or more "Barb's Pizza" or something like that. I have no idea who owns what now, or how many establishments any of them have.

The box lists 2 locations for Harry's ; Glastonbury and South Main St. West Hartford. It's funny. I avoided Harry's in Glastonbury for a few years because it was a little pricy compared to a few other very good options in town. But as I get older, I would rather have the best of something, even if it costs a bit more.

Glastonbury is an interesting pizza town. No fewer than 6 very good options. When I say very good, I mean something approaching New Haven but not quite there. So if Pepe's or Modern gets an A for a grade these would be at the B plus or A minus level. IMO, If there was a Glastonbury Pizza War, the finals would be Sassano versus Harry's and I don't know who the favorite would be.

 

[8893]

The box lists 2 locations for Harry's ; Glastonbury and South Main St. West Hartford.

Yeah, what I don't know is if any of the original owners of Harry's or Barb's have any ownership interest in any of those places any more.

 

[Huskybass]

Yeah, what I don't know is if any of the original owners of Harry's or Barb's have any ownership interest in any of those places any more.

Right, and I am equally unsure if there are any other locations under a different name give the split(s). But I found this:

 

[I Bleed Blue]

I think it was mentioned early in the thread but Ilianos’ Washington St location in Middletown is consistently fantastic. They offer slices, with a great variety of white and red pies. Definitely worth a visit for anyone nearby who hasn’t tried it.

Iliano’s is good but imo, it’s now 4th place in Middletown behind Mondo’s, Krust, and Vero Cucino.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Right, and I am equally unsure if there are any other locations under a different name give the split(s). But I found this:View attachment 48993

And some people wonder how there can be a 165 page pizza thread.

After yoga, sauna, steam, soak, shower, and getting dressed at the New Haven JCC on Saturday, I happily surprise-encountered my former next door neighbors, their sons, and her parents, hosting a 4th birthday party for their older son, who I've known since birth. He builds with my childhood Lincoln Logs, American Bricks, Tinker Toys, and Kenner Girder & Panel set. Later in the day, he got my small Tyco HO train set.

As they transitioned upstairs from a playspace of inflatables, I was invited to join them for "cake."

Before cake, it was, more or less, crudite & pizza: Ernie's Pizza pizza. Bread-y, cheese-y Ernie's pizza. The New Haven pizza that occupies the outlier space of being completely what kids crave and therefore what those who don't really like New Haven style pizza like the most AND being great pizza. This is Westville's 'neighborhood favorite' entry (Yes, some prefer Dayton St,but I find better versions of "Abeetz" elsewhere not too far away), already down to lukewarm as it is served, by almost all appearances undistinguished pizza like you'd get after a middle school play or little league game. Bread-y. Cheese-y. And, somehow, I love it. Every time. So do the kids. So do the parents, and grandparents, and friends, from Pennsylvania, Mexico City, Columbia County (NY), a few blocks away, wherever. So do Yelpers. And Facebook followers. It's Pat making pizzas the way his dad did, the way he learned (so I've been told by pizza historian Colin Caplan) from Mike, once of West Haven, gone, but with a nice bar & pizza place still bearing his name (unfortunately closed today, otherwise ideal for tonight's Giants-Cowboys all-time tie-breaker game).

165 pages, and forking (or not) counting...

 

[husky429]

The box lists 2 locations for Harry's ; Glastonbury and South Main St. West Hartford. It's funny. I avoided Harry's in Glastonbury for a few years because it was a little pricy compared to a few other very good options in town. But as I get older, I would rather have the best of something, even if it costs a bit more.

Glastonbury is an interesting pizza town. No fewer than 6 very good options. When I say very good, I mean something approaching New Haven but not quite there. So if Pepe's or Modern gets an A for a grade these would be at the B plus or A minus level. IMO, If there was a Glastonbury Pizza War, the finals would be Sassano versus Harry's and I don't know who the favorite would be.

Have you tried square peg yet?

 

[dog bone]

Pepe's expanding the Pizza Belt:

Frank Pepe’s pizza opening location in Maryland

The iconic New Haven pizza place is reportedly opening a location in a Maryland mall.

www.nhregister.com

That location is just 2 miles from my house. Looking forward to it.

 

[tentoes4rings]

Iliano’s is good but imo, it’s now 4th place in Middletown behind Mondo’s, Krust, and Vero Cucino.

I like Krust but definitely place Iliano’s over that and Mondo. Krust would be a close second IMO. Thanks for the suggestion on Vero Cucino.

 

[Caronimo]

Greek Style but Olympic Pizza in Glastonbury has a pie called Mike’s pizza (Buffalo chicken, pepperoni, optional jalapeños) and it’s pretty damn good. I prefer Harry’s, Pepe’s or Luna, but if ur looking for Greek style this is legit.

 

[storrsroars]

Right, and I am equally unsure if there are any other locations under a different name give the split(s). But I found this:View attachment 48993

Interesting. I've mentioned it before on this thread, but about a dozen years ago, a place opened a few miles south of me that advertised they'd bought Harry's pizza recipes. When they first opened I thought they were best pizza near me. But over time I felt they went downhill and a couple other places opened that were closer to decent (not top-level NH) CT/NY style.

So I was wondering, does the pizza from Harry's in CT look anything like the pizza from Harry's out here? IMO, the pizza from Harry's (here) is regularly underdone these days.

Harry's, McMurray, PA.

 

[Huskybass]

Interesting. I've mentioned it before on this thread, but about a dozen years ago, a place opened a few miles south of me that advertised they'd bought Harry's pizza recipes. When they first opened I thought they were best pizza near me. But over time I felt they went downhill and a couple other places opened that were closer to decent (not top-level NH) CT/NY style.

So I was wondering, does the pizza from Harry's in CT look anything like the pizza from Harry's out here? IMO, the pizza from Harry's (here) is regularly underdone these days.

Harry's, McMurray, PA.

I got a Harry's special yesterday that was absolutely delicious but if I could have changed one thing I would have ordered it a little bit crispier. Actually I should say a slightly modified Harry's special as they let me substitute a supressota for the pepperoni.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Interesting. I've mentioned it before on this thread, but about a dozen years ago, a place opened a few miles south of me that advertised they'd bought Harry's pizza recipes. When they first opened I thought they were best pizza near me. But over time I felt they went downhill and a couple other places opened that were closer to decent (not top-level NH) CT/NY style.

So I was wondering, does the pizza from Harry's in CT look anything like the pizza from Harry's out here? IMO, the pizza from Harry's (here) is regularly underdone these days.

Harry's, McMurray, PA.

Their website photo does them no favors, and does not look like what I most recently had at Bishops Corner in West Hartford in 2017.

 

[Giddyup5]

Have you tried square peg yet?

Good not great.

I prefer a thinner crust. But they do have some unique personal pies.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Has anyone had Papa Johns? How good is it compared to Pizza Hut/Dominos?

When I spent time in Ky
I had Papa John’s . Better than Domino ‘s ( so are many frozen pizza’s) different that Pizza Hut.
More similar to some of the Greek Pizza’s all around CT.
Pizza Hut is low end Chicago style.
There are a few much better ones in the Phoenix area but I don’t consider that Pizza.
Grimsldi’s makes us a custom pie ( I’m a pizza snob) and is the closest to NE thin crust out here .
New Haven is a pain to get to so we usually go to Pepe’s Danbury location.
Its great without the hassle and they have Foxen White Birch
OT
I Went to a great Italian Restaurant in Oct.Grano Arso in Chester
Might of been on our annual pilgrimage to the Dooney &Burk outlet
It’s the Closest to my mothers cooking of any place I’ve been . My mom was the best cook ever.
I feel sorry for people that didn’t eat at our house.

 

[FartMan69]

And some people wonder how there can be a 165 page pizza thread.

After yoga, sauna, steam, soak, shower, and getting dressed at the New Haven JCC on Saturday, I happily surprise-encountered my former next door neighbors, their sons, and her parents, hosting a 4th birthday party for their older son, who I've known since birth. He builds with my childhood Lincoln Logs, American Bricks, Tinker Toys, and Kenner Girder & Panel set. Later in the day, he got my small Tyco HO train set.

As they transitioned upstairs from a playspace of inflatables, I was invited to join them for "cake."

Before cake, it was, more or less, crudite & pizza: Ernie's Pizza pizza. Bread-y, cheese-y Ernie's pizza. The New Haven pizza that occupies the outlier space of being completely what kids crave and therefore what those who don't really like New Haven style pizza like the most AND being great pizza. This is Westville's 'neighborhood favorite' entry (Yes, some prefer Dayton St,but I find better versions of "Abeetz" elsewhere not too far away), already down to lukewarm as it is served, by almost all appearances undistinguished pizza like you'd get after a middle school play or little league game. Bread-y. Cheese-y. And, somehow, I love it. Every time. So do the kids. So do the parents, and grandparents, and friends, from Pennsylvania, Mexico City, Columbia County (NY), a few blocks away, wherever. So do Yelpers. And Facebook followers. It's Pat making pizzas the way his dad did, the way he learned (so I've been told by pizza historian Colin Caplan) from Mike, once of West Haven, gone, but with a nice bar & pizza place still bearing his name (unfortunately closed today, otherwise ideal for tonight's Giants-Cowboys all-time tie-breaker game).

165 pages, and forking (or not) counting...

Need sparknotes on a pizza post. Thanks

 

[Mano]

Interesting. I've mentioned it before on this thread, but about a dozen years ago, a place opened a few miles south of me that advertised they'd bought Harry's pizza recipes. When they first opened I thought they were best pizza near me. But over time I felt they went downhill and a couple other places opened that were closer to decent (not top-level NH) CT/NY style.

So I was wondering, does the pizza from Harry's in CT look anything like the pizza from Harry's out here? IMO, the pizza from Harry's (here) is regularly underdone these days.

Harry's, McMurray, PA.

Their website photo does them no favors, and does not look like what I most recently had at Bishops Corner in West Hartford in 2017.

Their website just uses stock images which is silly since pizza is so visual. This photo from TripAdvisor does make it look fairly similar to Harry’s proper:

 

[David 76]

Harry's was owned by three people: Harry, Mark and Barbara. If I remember the story correctly, they met when they were working at Hot Tomatoes in Hartford, when that place was in its heyday and they were making really good money. They heard that there was good profit in pizza and they knew that Hartford was lacking, especially as compared with New Haven, so they decided to open a pizza place. They knew Pepe's was regarded as the best, so Mark and/or Harry worked there just long enough to get some insight on the ingredients and preparation, and together with Barbara they opened a takeout only place on Capital Avenue in Hartford. The place did a booming business and they expanded out to a full service restaurant on Farmington Ave. in West Hartford center (next to Lavery Appliance), where they thrived for many years. The pizza was always solid (it has many mentions in this thread) and the place was great; they had standard pizza ovens though, so they never achieved the char you get with coal or wood fired ovens.

I believe Barbara was married to Mark initially, but then they divorced and she married Harry. I think she had children with each of them, and she split from and reconciled with Harry few times before finally ending it in a less-than-amicable split with Harry, but she remained business partners with Mark and they opened one or more "Barb's Pizza" or something like that. I have no idea who owns what now, or how many establishments any of them have.

Wow!
They are the Fleetwood Mac of pizza!

 

[Deepster]

In central CT, try Mama Luke's on Rte 6 in Bristol ( a mile west of Tunxis Community College.) Three great ones in a row, the minimal test for me.

Is that in the old Rossini's space? Just going off your directional description. That Rossini's had a great pie (@mauconnfan) and would definitely try it if it's the same log cabin spot.

 

[Bezzz]

Is that in the old Rossini's space? Just going off your directional description. That Rossini's had a great pie (@mauconnfan) and would definitely try it if it's the same log cabin spot.

That's the old Joey Garlic's spot. The Joey's guys sold it to one of their partners. Not sure if it was Rossini's before JG.

 

[8893]

This is great: Former New Haven-area guys who own New Haven-style apizza place in Chicago tell country music star to go to Modern while she is in CT for Oakdale show:

 

[bluefan64]

We willingly drive 40 minutes to enjoy the pizza at our favorite place, Zuppardi’s Apizza in West Haven.