OT: Best Pizza in CT

[Improviser]

I’m questioning life right now. I went to Sally’s in New Haven. It lacked flavor. I know they changed ownership, but it was only a little above average. Nowhere near best in the country like when I had it about 7-8 years ago.

Remember folks: don’t sacrifice quality for quantity. You don’t need to franchise.

Don't question life.

Move on to something better. Things change in life. Modern is still Modern. Not sure how Pepe's stacks up.

Other Yarders are spot on with their pizza recommendations.

Enjoy life. Lots of other great pizza places out there. Don't eat at all all of them in the same day unless you want to start your own contest.

 

[WrenchFan69]

I’m questioning life right now. I went to Sally’s in New Haven. It lacked flavor. I know they changed ownership, but it was only a little above average. Nowhere near best in the country like when I had it about 7-8 years ago.

Remember folks: don’t sacrifice quality for quantity. You don’t need to franchise.

I had Sally's for the first time this spring. Also thought it lacked flavor. I would put it a pretty distant 3rd out of the New Haven staples.

 

[mussels]

I have no game these days. We went to David Burke prime at Foxwoods a couple weeks ago and I got a 36 Oz 75 day dry age tomahawk ribeye. I could barely finish . I’m no challenge for sheriff. But dear lord I tried.

View attachment 79497

eat your vegetables!

 

[ColchVEGAS]

Last week a group of friends and I took a New Haven apizza tour, half the group has never had any apizza before. We hit up Colony Grill, Zuppardi's, Pepe's, Modern, and Sally's all on the same day within a couple hours of each other in that order. Consensus of the group was Modern was the best with Zupp's just barely behind. First time I had Colony and was not blown away, but then again not really my go to style of pizza.

Modern and Zupp's were head and toes ahead of everybody with Modern barely squeezing by Zupp's with the best pizza of the day. Sally's was a near third, which was disappointing because I was touting their greatness as historically they have been my favorite. Pepe's was extremely disappointing and were a large distance away from what Sally's put out and was just slightly better than Colony. Colony is not in the same domain as the aforementioned apizza establishments, but I do not think they are trying to be so no knock on them. All the pizzas were good, which was no surprise.

If I had to Prez score them I would go:
Modern - 8.7
Zupp's - 8.6
Sally's - 8.3
Pepe's - 7.7
Colony - 7.4

 

[Ratso]

On the way back to Shelton from Uconn win over Fresno State stopped at Modern. Always the best!

funny, because a lot of the barstool prez favorites that I’ve tried (posto in rhinebeck, ny, angelo’s in philly) have a modern vibe to it

 

[husky99]

Sorry if it doesn't work. But uses the ok4 calhoun I up reference

 

[Huskybass]

@tentoes4rings

 

[HooperScooper]

Sorry if it doesn't work. But uses the ok4 calhoun I up reference

Think I saw that in this thread. It's from when Covid started and Dave stayed in his apartment and was doing frozen pizza reviews. Frozen pizza companies started sending him pizzas to review. Making the best out of a bad situation.

Yup, just found it.

OT: - Best Pizza in CT

New hours and pickup protocol (love the under-baked and not cut recommendation) at Bufalina: Here at Bufalina we are extremely grateful for all of our customers and being a part of the Guilford community for the past nine years. Under the current circumstances we are limiting our hours to...

the-boneyard.com

 

[Husky25]

Fireside reopened in Gales Ferry after a kitchen fire in February. I haven't had the current offer yet, but only because they changed their hours to open at 3:00, which would mmake for a later lunch than normal.

 

[Umami Zen]

Pepe's opening in Plantation, Fla Oct 24th.. Fort Lauderdale area

 

[Waquoit]

I just got an email from Yelp listing "Mouthwatering pizzas" in CT. The list has all of the usual suspects plus Rawa in New Haven. Never heard of it, anyone with a report?

 

[8893]

I just got an email from Yelp listing "Mouthwatering pizzas" in CT. The list has all of the usual suspects plus Rawa in New Haven. Never heard of it, anyone with a report?

No, but I just checked their website and will definitely get there soon, for the Mediterranean food if nothing else. Looks great; the pizzas definitely look different.

 

[elmcityboy]

I just got an email from Yelp listing "Mouthwatering pizzas" in CT. The list has all of the usual suspects plus Rawa in New Haven. Never heard of it, anyone with a report?

i've been -- it's a somewhat fancy middle-eastern spot with a pizza oven. it's pretty good, but i wouldn't go there for the pizza. get some mezze and falafel.

actually westville emessa down the block is probably my favorite middle-eastern food in the entire state and it happens to be located in the old westville apizza storefront. it's a lot more of a casual/take-out spot, but i think it's even better. and you can still get a slice there, too.

 

[Balker]

It was discussed a little bit a few dozen pages back, haven't tried it out myself. Westville is a bit of a hike for me most of the time.

This is Mediterranean and the ingredients are on pita bread, but it is very tasty and the ones I ordered on February 19 are mentioned below.

Rawa in the Westville section of New Haven. Got it delivered via doordash.com.

View attachment 64810

 

[Improviser]

i've been -- it's a somewhat fancy middle-eastern spot with a pizza oven. it's pretty good, but i wouldn't go there for the pizza. get some mezze and falafel.

actually westville emessa down the block is probably my favorite middle-eastern food in the entire state and it happens to be located in the old westville apizza storefront. it's a lot more of a casual/take-out spot, but i think it's even better. and you can still get a slice there, too.

Agree with you on Emesa, @elmcityboy.

Ordered some from doordash today, and everything was great. Below is what I ordered. Rawa is good, but this is one of the best I have ever had.

Order Details

1×Eggplant Sandwich
$6.95

---

1×Tabbouleh Salad
No Dressing
$8.95

---

1×Grilled Chicken Combo Wrap
$12.00

---

1×Spinach Pie Manaeesh
$2.50

---

1×Vegetarian Grape Leaves
$7.95

---

1×Lamb Shish Kabob
Syrian Salad
$19.95

 

[runner11]

I have heard and read great things about Good Ole Days in Newton. And I know the farmers they get their produce from so I know they care about their ingredients. I actually stopped by last Friday after work to grab a beer and a bite. I got the vibe from their social media that it was kinda a dive so I didn’t think twice about working outside all day and then stopping by but as I approached and saw a valet I pulled a U-turn. Gotta do takeout next time. They have a good looking normal pan style and then a Detroit or Sicilian style.

 

[elmcityboy]

Agree with you on Emesa, @elmcityboy.

Ordered some from doordash today, and everything was great. Below is what I ordered. Rawa is good, but this is one of the best I have ever had.

Order Details

1×Eggplant Sandwich
$6.95

---

1×Tabbouleh Salad
No Dressing
$8.95

---

1×Grilled Chicken Combo Wrap
$12.00

---

1×Spinach Pie Manaeesh
$2.50

---

1×Vegetarian Grape Leaves
$7.95

---

1×Lamb Shish Kabob
Syrian Salad
$19.95

awesome! i am sure it was all phenomenal. i always get the mixed appetizer platter and the falafel, but i am trying to branch out haha.

 

[Improviser]

Grape leaves were warm, soft, and moist unlike the cold ones most restaurants serve.

For $2.50 the spinach pie was moist and full of spinach. Not made with filo dough but sort of like a hamantash with filling except the filling was spinach and not prune.

Eggplant was fried and crispy, sort of like crisp bacon, but not with tomato sauce.

Tabbouleh was moist and juicy, and not dry like most other tabbouleh dishes seem to be.

Lamb was not ground, but cooked lamb like you find on a lamb chop.

Really good all around for all the dishes I had.

Tried only a small piece of chicken on the sub. That will be consumed tomorrow.

 

[nashusky109]

I have heard and read great things about Good Ole Days in Newton. And I know the farmers they get their produce from so I know they care about their ingredients. I actually stopped by last Friday after work to grab a beer and a bite. I got the vibe from their social media that it was kinda a dive so I didn’t think twice about working outside all day and then stopping by but as I approached and saw a valet I pulled a U-turn. Gotta do takeout next time. They have a good looking normal pan style and then a Detroit or Sicilian style.

Brought it up sometime last year. Pizzas look solid with an interesting menu.

I just tried Good Old Days Pizza in Newtown; fantastic! If you are down this way give it a try. Another great pizza is from The Hub in Naugatuck.

 

[8893]

i've been -- it's a somewhat fancy middle-eastern spot with a pizza oven. it's pretty good, but i wouldn't go there for the pizza. get some mezze and falafel.

actually westville emessa down the block is probably my favorite middle-eastern food in the entire state and it happens to be located in the old westville apizza storefront. it's a lot more of a casual/take-out spot, but i think it's even better. and you can still get a slice there, too.

Agree with you on Emesa, @elmcityboy.

Ordered some from doordash today, and everything was great. Below is what I ordered. Rawa is good, but this is one of the best I have ever had.

Order Details

1×Eggplant Sandwich
$6.95

---

1×Tabbouleh Salad
No Dressing
$8.95

---

1×Grilled Chicken Combo Wrap
$12.00

---

1×Spinach Pie Manaeesh
$2.50

---

1×Vegetarian Grape Leaves
$7.95

---

1×Lamb Shish Kabob
Syrian Salad
$19.95

awesome! i am sure it was all phenomenal. i always get the mixed appetizer platter and the falafel, but i am trying to branch out haha.

Grape leaves were warm, soft, and moist unlike the cold ones most restaurants serve.

For $2.50 the spinach pie was moist and full of spinach. Not made with filo dough but sort of like a hamantash with filling except the filling was spinach and not prune.

Eggplant was fried and crispy, sort of like crisp bacon, but not with tomato sauce.

Tabbouleh was moist and juicy, and not dry like most other tabbouleh dishes seem to be.

Lamb was not ground, but cooked lamb like you find on a lamb chop.

Really good all around for all the dishes I had.

Tried only a small piece of chicken on the sub. That will be consumed tomorrow.

Just tried Emesa for lunch thanks to these reviews. It was excellent, thanks!

I went with my two Middle Eastern staples: falafel and ful mudammas.

The falafel was great, just about perfect for my tastes, with really good hummus, tahini and and a touch of mint I believe.

The ful mudammas was very good, almost identical to the style they used to serve at Bab al Salam in Orange, which has since closed. Also very similar to the one at Aladdin Crown Pizza. I still think Mediterranea's is the best, but I think it's because theirs is Syrian, which is a slightly different style, with the beans heated and cracked, and the addition of some garlic and a touch of tahini. Emesa is also very similar to Bab al Salam in serving it with a hot, crisp, puffed pita, which I love.

Another Bab al Salam similarity is the use of pickled radishes and other pickled veggies, which I also love.

I will definitely be back to try more of the menu.

 

[Huskybass]

Hit Zeneli and Abate recently. Very impressed with Zeneli. Delicious and makes for a nice option when you want something a bit different than New Have style.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Last week a group of friends and I took a New Haven apizza tour, half the group has never had any apizza before. We hit up Colony Grill, Zuppardi's, Pepe's, Modern, and Sally's all on the same day within a couple hours of each other in that order. Consensus of the group was Modern was the best with Zupp's just barely behind. First time I had Colony and was not blown away, but then again not really my go to style of pizza.

Modern and Zupp's were head and toes ahead of everybody with Modern barely squeezing by Zupp's with the best pizza of the day. Sally's was a near third, which was disappointing because I was touting their greatness as historically they have been my favorite. Pepe's was extremely disappointing and were a large distance away from what Sally's put out and was just slightly better than Colony. Colony is not in the same domain as the aforementioned apizza establishments, but I do not think they are trying to be so no knock on them. All the pizzas were good, which was no surprise.

If I had to Prez score them I would go:
Modern - 8.7
Zupp's - 8.6
Sally's - 8.3
Pepe's - 7.7
Colony - 7.4

Zupp’s opened a take out only place in Derby last summer. I tried it and just as good as the original. I would agree with your list, the two best pies I had last summer were from Modern and Zuppardis (the original place). FYI, Zupp’s is the only pizza place left in the state that still makes their own sausage and it’s on the pie in big chunks not razor thin slices like at Pepe’s. Modern’s is also chunky style but I don’t know who the sausage vendor is. Bar should be on your list, it’s gone up in quality last couple of years.

 

[imno1]

Zupp’s opened a take out only place in Derby last summer. I tried it and just as good as the original. I would agree with your list, the two best pies I had last summer were from Modern and Zuppardis (the original place). FYI, Zupp’s is the only pizza place left in the state that still makes their own sausage and it’s on the pie in big chunks not razor thin slices like at Pepe’s. Modern’s is also chunky style but I don’t know who the sausage vendor is. Bar should be on your list, it’s gone up in quality last couple of years.

Currently I agree. I had been a huge Sally’s advocate but lately it’s dropped off. I’d go Modern #1 Zuppardis is second but is the most consistent and their clam is otherworldly

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Zupp’s opened a take out only place in Derby last summer. I tried it and just as good as the original. I would agree with your list, the two best pies I had last summer were from Modern and Zuppardis (the original place). FYI, Zupp’s is the only pizza place left in the state that still makes their own sausage and it’s on the pie in big chunks not razor thin slices like at Pepe’s. Modern’s is also chunky style but I don’t know who the sausage vendor is. Bar should be on your list, it’s gone up in quality last couple of years.

Lamberti's.

A little ashamed to say how I know that.

Did a holy trinity tasting day about five years back with a handful of relatives (obviously all Italian Americans). We landed at Modern first, just before it opened and a Lamberti's truck was making a delivery. When inside, one of the pies ordered was a sausage. It csme with large crumbles, not slices of the sausage and we were so impressed (and had sufficient time to kill before heading to Wooster St) that we looked up the address (not far from the water) picked up s cooler and ice and bought two ten pound boxes from where they make the stuff.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Lamberti's.

A little ashamed to say how I know that.

Did a holy trinity tasting day about five years back with a handful of relatives (obviously all Italian Americans). We landed at Modern first, just before it opened and a Lamberti's truck was making a delivery. When inside, one of the pies ordered was a sausage. It csme with large crumbles, not slices of the sausage and we were so impressed (and had sufficient time to kill before heading to Wooster St) that we looked up the address (not far from the water) picked up s cooler and ice and bought two ten pound boxes from where they make the stuff.

How is this possibly a source of shame?

You were in the right place at the right time and made the most of it. .

You followed up with a combination of additional research and necessary supplies to optimize the purchase, and then generously shared reliable info with this community.

 

[Fishy]

It’s been years now…have you people not figured out what the best pizza is yet?

 

[dvegas]

Lamberti's.

A little ashamed to say how I know that.

Did a holy trinity tasting day about five years back with a handful of relatives (obviously all Italian Americans). We landed at Modern first, just before it opened and a Lamberti's truck was making a delivery. When inside, one of the pies ordered was a sausage. It csme with large crumbles, not slices of the sausage and we were so impressed (and had sufficient time to kill before heading to Wooster St) that we looked up the address (not far from the water) picked up s cooler and ice and bought two ten pound boxes from where they make the stuff.

I've been trying for years to figure out Pepe's pepperoni supplier with no sucesss. It's definitely a proprietary blend/recipe (very fine grind, very spicy) and delicious. And they keep it (and any boxes or packing with telltale identification) under lock and key. Which is exactly the status of their dumpster in Fairfield, which I tried diving one late night and found out the hard way (luckily did not involve red and blue lights).

 

[8893]

It’s been years now…have you people not figured out what the best pizza is yet?

The journey is the destination

 

[Husky25]

It’s been years now…have you people not figured out what the best pizza is yet?

The journey is the destination

 

[ColchVEGAS]

Bar should be on your list, it’s gone up in quality last couple of years.

Bar was on the list, but due to their hours we could not make it work. Good to hear they are getting better, I have not had Bar in years and while it was good then I always thought they lagged behind the other big names.