OT: Best Pizza in CT

[huskymedic]

Pony up boys... Grand Apizza for sale: 111 Grand Avenue - New Haven, CT 06513 - MLS #170469122 | Alicia Mahon

"111 Grand Avenue is an iconic Apizza restaurant and one of the 1st to serve New Haven Style Apizza. Grand Apizza has been serving the community for New Haven since 1955. This long standing business as been extremely lucrative over the years. The stand alone building has recently been completely remodeled which makes for a seamless transition to new owners. New roof, flooring, bathrooms, windows paved driveway with 25+ parking spots is perfect to keep up with busy nights. ++ Selling willing to hold financing ++ Please note that the business and building are being sold as a package."

 

[HooperScooper]

Pony up boys... Grand Apizza for sale: 111 Grand Avenue - New Haven, CT 06513 - MLS #170469122 | Alicia Mahon

"Grand Apizza has been serving the community of New Haven since 1955. This long standing business as been extremely lucrative over the years. The stand alone building has recently been completely updated. New flooring in the dining room, 2 updated bathrooms, exterior recently painted with new windows and the parking lot has just been paved. There is additional dry storage space(325 sq/ft) in the basement that is perfect to prepping for the busy nights. Looking to own a piece of history? This is it!

++ Selling willing to hold financing ++ Please note that the business and building are being sold as a package."

Didn't @Deepster at one point want us to buy a pizza place? Start the GoFundMe.

 

[Deepster]

Didn't @Deepster at one point want us to buy a pizza place? Start the GoFundMe.

Someone forwarded me an opportunity to get in on a slice shop in the Times Square area. I thought it would be a fun Yard experiment. It clearly never went anywhere. I had no vested interest in it outside of this thread.

 

[Slipperman]

grew up in nw haven
all restaurants have coal ovens, you gotta find them. bar pizza is still great. the idiot from boston doesn't know anything about real pizza.

which idiot in Boston? there's a lot of them. leading the way are Tony Mazarotti and Dan Shaughnessy.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

which idiot in Boston? there's a lot of them. leading the way are Tony Mazarotti and Dan Shaughnessy the Curly-Haired Boyfriend.

Sorry, had to fix it for you. You left out the greatest nickname in sports.

 

[MTBingNinja]

Pizza: A Love Story (2019) ⭐ 7.3 | Documentary

1h 25m

www.imdb.com

 

[Ratso]

the best pizza is angelo's philly

there's a good one in manhattan midtown too

 

[Ratso]

If you take a step back you will realize that "idiot from Boston" has had more great pizzas than anyone alive AND he is profiting substantially from his tasty endeavor. I applaud the guy and his success.

his scale is foolish. No solid numbers? and Bar a 7.5? Sauce in lower east side Manhattan that he gave a 9+ is trash. He thinks brick oven crisp is the gold standard, nothing wrong with that of course

 

[Slipperman]

Sorry, had to fix it for you. You left out the greatest nickname in sports.

i had heard once DS being referred to as "looks like a used Q-Tip" which floored me.

 

[8893]

Good read. I am now regretting never having been to Di Fara:

One Pizza at a Time, He Defined the New York Slice

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Ignazio's is opening up a 64 seat place in Mystic next to the Sea Swirl and Nana's Pizza and Bakery. So Brooklyn, Westport and Mystic.

 

[HooperScooper]

Good read. I am now regretting never having been to Di Fara:

One Pizza at a Time, He Defined the New York Slice

I was there about 3 years ago and he was there still working hard. Sorry to hear this.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Good read. I am now regretting never having been to Di Fara:

One Pizza at a Time, He Defined the New York Slice

You've been to a lot of places I haven't. He was s-l-o-w and methodical; the line grew while I waited. The slice was an enjoyable capper to the theater...then back on my bicycle.

"Scenes from an Italian Restaurant"

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

You've been to a lot of places I haven't. He was s-l-o-w and methodical; the line grew while I waited. The slice was an enjoyable capper to the theater...then back on my bicycle.

"Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" View attachment 74635

The two counter guys handled the full range of non-pizza-making details: line management, order-taking, bringing full pies to the 3 or 4 tables, cleaning up, cash register, and opening & closing the oven door every time Di Fara gave the quiet command.

The guy on the right did his work in near silence, flirting with women in line through his smiles, withheld smiles, and body flow. He wore a t-shirt with the Nintendo logo, but it read "no enteniendo"

 

[HuskyHawk]

Ok folks, need help. Will be in Westport Saturday to visit an ailing family friend from Marshfield who is staying near her son in her last days. Wife wanted to connect with an old College friend who lives in Cheshire after (we will need something more cheerful). Since we live in MA near I-95 and 495, taking 91 to 84 to the Pike isn't the plan. I suggested we meet her friend in New Haven and get pizza. My wife has never had NH pizza (and I have not in 30+ years except Pepe's at the casino).

Thinking Modern or Sally's, but I am concerned that the Wooster St. places will be mobbed. I hear of Zupardi's and other good pies via this thread. Is there a place to get the apizza experience, also be able to grab a decent beer nearby and not stand in line? Or is there a time of day that will be best? Early evening?

 

[Deepster]

Ok folks, need help. Will be in Westport Saturday to visit an ailing family friend from Marshfield who is staying near her son in her last days. Wife wanted to connect with an old College friend who lives in Cheshire after (we will need something more cheerful). Since we live in MA near I-95 and 495, taking 91 to 84 to the Pike isn't the plan. I suggested we meet her friend in New Haven and get pizza. My wife has never had NH pizza (and I have not in 30+ years except Pepe's at the casino).

Thinking Modern or Sally's, but I am concerned that the Wooster St. places will be mobbed. I hear of Zupardi's and other good pies via this thread. Is there a place to get the apizza experience, also be able to grab a decent beer nearby and not stand in line? Or is there a time of day that will be best? Early evening?

If your wife has never been there and you haven't been in that long, would it be that bad to go through the line and "experience" the wait at Pepe's or Sally's? Modern usually doesn't have quite the wait if that's really an issue.

I guess what I'm saying is, if it's her first time....don't mess around and go with one of the Big 3.

 

[methodology]

Ok folks, need help. Will be in Westport Saturday to visit an ailing family friend from Marshfield who is staying near her son in her last days. Wife wanted to connect with an old College friend who lives in Cheshire after (we will need something more cheerful). Since we live in MA near I-95 and 495, taking 91 to 84 to the Pike isn't the plan. I suggested we meet her friend in New Haven and get pizza. My wife has never had NH pizza (and I have not in 30+ years except Pepe's at the casino).

Thinking Modern or Sally's, but I am concerned that the Wooster St. places will be mobbed. I hear of Zupardi's and other good pies via this thread. Is there a place to get the apizza experience, also be able to grab a decent beer nearby and not stand in line? Or is there a time of day that will be best? Early evening?

Modern is your best bet and my go to of the 3

 

[8893]

Ok folks, need help. Will be in Westport Saturday to visit an ailing family friend from Marshfield who is staying near her son in her last days. Wife wanted to connect with an old College friend who lives in Cheshire after (we will need something more cheerful). Since we live in MA near I-95 and 495, taking 91 to 84 to the Pike isn't the plan. I suggested we meet her friend in New Haven and get pizza. My wife has never had NH pizza (and I have not in 30+ years except Pepe's at the casino).

Thinking Modern or Sally's, but I am concerned that the Wooster St. places will be mobbed. I hear of Zupardi's and other good pies via this thread. Is there a place to get the apizza experience, also be able to grab a decent beer nearby and not stand in line? Or is there a time of day that will be best? Early evening?

Sally's, Modern and Zuppardi's are all 100% legit apizza experiences.

Sally's is the highest ceiling, lowest floor in my experience. You could sail right in and have a transcendent experience, or you could be waiting for over an hour with indifferent service. It is highly variable, although less so since the new owners. If the weather is nice and the outdoor seating is open your chances will be better; although unless they changed something the beer offerings will be terrible.

Modern is still ol' reliable for me. You may experience a line, but it moves fast and the people are nice. Plenty of places to grab a beer on State Street, and iirc they always have a NEBCO and Counter Weight Headway on tap there. NB: I order my Modern pies "well done, light mozz" because I have often found them a little saggy for my preferences. PS: If you like eggplant on your apizza, you will find none better than here. Red pie with artichoke hearts and eggplant is our staple there.

There is nothing else around Zupp's, but you can't beat their fresh clam pizza and it will likely be the least busy of the three. Their house-made sausage is also excellent. I have never eaten on the premises there so I don't know what their beer offerings are.

 

[HuskyHawk]

If your wife has never been there and you haven't been in that long, would it be that bad to go through the line and "experience" the wait at Pepe's or Sally's? Modern usually doesn't have quite the wait if that's really an issue.

I guess what I'm saying is, if it's her first time....don't mess around and go with one of the Big 3.

Modern is your best bet and my go to of the 3

Seems @8893 deleted his post before I could reply. I did read it. Modern seems like the clear choice. I haven't been there. I'm over 50 so my tolerance for the "experience" when it involves standing in line or rude service is pretty low. The availability of a decent beer is a big plus. Neither of us will even drink crappy pale lagers. I think I had Genny Cream Ale my last time at Pepe's. We will also have the friend from Cheshire, and I can only assume she's more of a regular.

We might be staying the night. Any suggestions if we do?

 

[karstenkibbe]

Ok folks, need help. Will be in Westport Saturday to visit an ailing family friend from Marshfield who is staying near her son in her last days. Wife wanted to connect with an old College friend who lives in Cheshire after (we will need something more cheerful). Since we live in MA near I-95 and 495, taking 91 to 84 to the Pike isn't the plan. I suggested we meet her friend in New Haven and get pizza. My wife has never had NH pizza (and I have not in 30+ years except Pepe's at the casino).

Thinking Modern or Sally's, but I am concerned that the Wooster St. places will be mobbed. I hear of Zupardi's and other good pies via this thread. Is there a place to get the apizza experience, also be able to grab a decent beer nearby and not stand in line? Or is there a time of day that will be best? Early evening?

Just a suggestion based on our shared craft beer devotion….

If you don’t want to deal with lines, delays in service, etc, I would strongly consider Olde World Apizza in North Haven. IMO, it is the most underrated apizza and is consistently spectacular. It’s also less than 5 minutes away from Twelve Percent Beer Project, where you can enjoy delicious pours of Marlowe, Timber Ales, Evil Twin, etc. I consider this combo a no-brainer.

I’m not from the Cheshire area, but Counterweight Brewing just moved last week from Hamden to a huge space in Cheshire. They brew stellar heritage styles and IPAs. Their barrel program is also great. Only apizza I’ve ever had in Cheshire was Fuoco. Sadly, it burned down last year.

 

[methodology]

Just a suggestion based on our shared craft beer devotion….

If you don’t want to deal with lines, delays in service, etc, I would strongly consider Olde World Apizza in North Haven. IMO, it is the most underrated apizza and is consistently spectacular. It’s also less than 5 minutes away from Twelve Percent Beer Project, where you can enjoy delicious pours of Marlowe, Timber Ales, Evil Twin, etc. I consider this combo a no-brainer.

I’m not from the Cheshire area, but Counterweight Brewing just moved last week from Hamden to a huge space in Cheshire. They brew stellar heritage styles and IPAs. Their barrel program is also great. Only apizza I’ve ever had in Cheshire was Fuoco. Sadly, it burned down last year.

Olde world is fantastic is extremely underrated/overlooked

Great post with all the info. My wife use to work at bone in prime in Cheshire and I knew counterweight was moving there but wasn’t sure if they had opened yet. Headway is my go to IPA for home or whenever I’m out and a place has it

 

[8893]

Seems @8893 deleted his post before I could reply. I did read it. Modern seems like the clear choice. I haven't been there. I'm over 50 so my tolerance for the "experience" when it involves standing in line or rude service is pretty low. The availability of a decent beer is a big plus. Neither of us will even drink crappy pale lagers. I think I had Genny Cream Ale my last time at Pepe's. We will also have the friend from Cheshire, and I can only assume she's more of a regular.

We might be staying the night. Any suggestions if we do?

Hmmm...never deleted my post; maybe I'm on some super-special ignore feature?

In any event, I don't think I've stayed overnight in a New Haven hotel since I took the bar exam. An out-of-state lawyer with whom I have worked frequently stays at the Courtyard because it is clean and convenient. It's in a bit of a transitional neighborhood but generally fine. The Blake, the Study, New Haven Hotel or Omni are other reliable choices higher up the food chain. There is also a La Quinta on Long Wharf; and I just noticed that they turned the old Pirelli building into "Hotel Marcel," which is a Hilton property that looks interesting:

Hotel Marcel New Haven, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Hotel Marcel New Haven, Tapestry Collection by Hilton and uncover the unexpected at our one-of-a-kind hotel. As part of Hilton's Tapestry Collection, we are perfect for guests seeking an uncommon experience and peace of mind.

www.hilton.com

Finally, further up the shore and a good deal more expensive, but nice, is the Madison Beach Hotel.

 

[elmcityboy]

Seems @8893 deleted his post before I could reply. I did read it. Modern seems like the clear choice. I haven't been there. I'm over 50 so my tolerance for the "experience" when it involves standing in line or rude service is pretty low. The availability of a decent beer is a big plus. Neither of us will even drink crappy pale lagers. I think I had Genny Cream Ale my last time at Pepe's. We will also have the friend from Cheshire, and I can only assume she's more of a regular.

We might be staying the night. Any suggestions if we do?

sally's has changed a lot since the business was sold and covid happened. the wait times are, in my experience, a lot shorter now that you can sit outside and the "rude" servers (part of the charm of sally's tbh) have mostly moved on in favor of younger staffers. they have legitimate draft beer options now (although i am always a big proponent of cheap beer with pizza). you can also put your name on the list and go for a walk/drink instead of standing in line for hours.

one thing that hasn't changed (at least in my opinion) is the pizza, and it is by far the best in new haven.

 

[huskymedic]

We might be staying the night. Any suggestions if we do?

Graduate New Haven

A local landmark, Graduate New Haven sits in the heart of downtown, across the street from the Yale School of Art and steps from all the best shops, restaurants, galleries and theaters.

www.graduatehotels.com

… and don’t listen to @8893 - avoid La Quinta on Long Wharf @ all costs. It’s a rat’s nest. His other suggestions are fine.

 

[methodology]

Graduate New Haven

A local landmark, Graduate New Haven sits in the heart of downtown, across the street from the Yale School of Art and steps from all the best shops, restaurants, galleries and theaters.

www.graduatehotels.com

I prefer the Blake hotel or the study

 

[karstenkibbe]

Olde world is fantastic is extremely underrated/overlooked

Great post with all the info. My wife use to work at bone in prime in Cheshire and I knew counterweight was moving there but wasn’t sure if they had opened yet. Headway is my go to IPA for home or whenever I’m out and a place has it

Headway is by far the best high-production shelfie IPA found in CT. Same with their Crucial Mass DIPA.

 

[8893]

Graduate New Haven

A local landmark, Graduate New Haven sits in the heart of downtown, across the street from the Yale School of Art and steps from all the best shops, restaurants, galleries and theaters.

www.graduatehotels.com

… and don’t listen to @8893 - avoid La Quinta on Long Wharf @ all costs. It’s a rat’s nest. His other suggestions are fine.

Good to know! I've never stayed there or even set foot inside, but I do know of people who have and didn't hear raves, but also didn't hear the rat's nest part, so now I know.

 

[husky429]

Anyone been to lemon and char in Oxford? Never heard of it until today--got an invite from a friend and I need to know if I should fake sick.

 

[imno1]

YoJust a suggestion based on our shared craft beer devotion….

If you don’t want to deal with lines, delays in service, etc, I would strongly consider Olde World Apizza in North Haven. IMO, it is the most underrated apizza and is consistently spectacular. It’s also less than 5 minutes away from Twelve Percent Beer Project, where you can enjoy delicious pours of Marlowe, Timber Ales, Evil Twin, etc. I consider this combo a no-brainer.

I’m not from the Cheshire area, but Counterweight Brewing just moved last week from Hamden to a huge space in Cheshire. They brew stellar heritage styles and IPAs. Their barrel program is also great. Only apizza I’ve ever had in Cheshire was Fuoco. Sadly, it burned down last year.

Olde World is solid but definitely a step or 2 below the main entries. Plus they have what, 3 tables? If you are going early afternoon the wait on any might not be bad but in the evening even Zuppardis might be packed. @HuskyHawk you've been waiting over 7 years for a tournament win you can wait in line for a little. I would drive by Sally's to see how long the wait is and if long Modern is 5 minutes away.

 

[karstenkibbe]

Olde World is solid but definitely a step or 2 below the main entries. Plus they have what, 3 tables? If you are going early afternoon the wait on any might not be bad but in the evening even Zuppardis might be packed. @HuskyHawk you've been waiting over 7 years for a tournament win you can wait in line for a little. I would drive by Sally's to see how long the wait is and if long Modern is 5 minutes away.

To each his own. I’d rather eat Olde World than Frank Pepe these days. I do agree with you on the table situation at OW. But @HuskyHawk can bring those pies to a very spacious and comfortable tap room at 12%.