OT: Best Pizza in CT

[8893]

OK - one more time. Sally's by a mile.

When was the last time you were there? I can't find anyone who has been there in the past few years who has a good word about the place in any respect, including the quality of the product. By all reports and appearances the place is surviving solely on reputation, which is dwindling along with the crowd.

 

[G0UCONN]

Is the Upper Crust chain still around in Boston? When I left, the District Attorney found out that Upper Management was taking the crust and everything else from employee's pay and got hammered. I thought they were going bankrupt.

I used to get Sal's a lot in the northern suburbs. Pizza was OK; but, their pies were HUGE.

Not sure about the Upper Crust...I moved out in 2002 so could be gone. Was very good though.

 

[CallMeBruce]

Upper Crust is definitely still around. It's good, but there are much better places around.

My favorite place in CT in the 90s was a little divey joint called Frank & Lin's in Rockville. They closed down probably close to 10 years ago.

 

[CTBasketball]

If we're going back in time then Verdolini's in Meriden should be in the top 3...

 

[UConnRon42]

When was the last time you were there? I can't find anyone who has been there in the past few years who has a good word about the place in any respect, including the quality of the product. By all reports and appearances the place is surviving solely on reputation, which is dwindling along with the crowd.

The pizza at Sally's hasn't changed in the 30+ years I've been going there and it's far and away the best I've ever had--and I have tried pizza all over the country.
Most of the complaints I've heard involve the rudeness of the staff and the way they will let their friends/regular customers cut the line--never the quality, which most admit is amazing. If you haven't already, give it a try.

 

[Nostical]

You can do better with Marblehead joints Tony's, Vesuvius or Romano's Sicilian ....Italian's beat the Greeks every time!

I love, love, love Marblehead House.The Greeks rule. My daughters are "The Property Twins" there and they always make sure all their real estate clients get to sample some Marblehead House. It always seals the deal.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

The pizza at Sally's hasn't changed in the 30+ years I've been going there and it's far and away the best I've ever had--and I have tried pizza all over the country.
Most of the complaints I've heard involve the rudeness of the staff and the way they will let their friends/regular customers cut the line--never the quality, which most admit is amazing. If you haven't already, give it a try.

I tried it a couple weeks ago and, based on the rep, expected to be blown away. It was mediocre. I get better pizza delivered to my office in Los Angeles.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Is the Upper Crust chain still around in Boston? When I left, the District Attorney found out that Upper Management was taking the crust and everything else from employee's pay and got hammered. I thought they were going bankrupt.

I used to get Sal's a lot in the northern suburbs. Pizza was OK; but, their pies were HUGE.

There's a place called Armando's toward fresh pond in cambridge that used to be really good, it's around Concord and Huron. I used to live on their pies and calzones in law school. My judgment could have been impaired though.

 

[Kitaman]

Has anyone tried Two Boot's in Bridgeport? Its pretty good, actually real good. They are out of the City, but opened up in CT a couple of years ago. I recommend to at least try it, no one I've taken ever complained or wish they went to Pepi's or Modern.

 

[Waquoit]

I tried it a couple weeks ago and, based on the rep, expected to be blown away. It was mediocre. I get better pizza delivered to my office in Los Angeles.

I was particularly interested about your saying that you could get right in to Sally's while there was a line at Pepe's. Maybe just an anomaly or maybe their BS is taking a toll. In any case, I've never been to a place that was so good it made up for rude or lousy service. Or telling you how to eat something. Louis Lunch.

 

[gampelcrazies]

Sally's is and always will be my favorite. The people aren't the nicest but I think its way better than pepe's.

 

[UConn '89 "98]

White clam pizza at Pepe's, only in New Haven, followed by a walk over to Libby's for lemon ice in a push cup and a cannoli for the ride home. Been the same routine for 30 years. I will never, ever set foot in a Pepe's not on Wooster Street!

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

White clam pizza at Pepe's, only in New Haven, followed by a walk over to Libby's for lemon ice in a push cup and a cannoli for the ride home. Been the same routine for 30 years. I will never, ever set foot in a Pepe's not on Wooster Street!

Now see, I find Pepe's white clam to be terrible. But Sally's is fantastic.

And by the way, when I refer to Pepe's, it's Wooster St. It's all about the aging of the oven. You can't replicate that.

Yes, the service at Sally's sucks. . What kind of snob cares about whether the waitress is friendly? Give me good food/bad service over lousy food/good service any day.

 

[8893]

The pizza at Sally's hasn't changed in the 30+ years I've been going there and it's far and away the best I've ever had--and I have tried pizza all over the country.
Most of the complaints I've heard involve the rudeness of the staff and the way they will let their friends/regular customers cut the line--never the quality, which most admit is amazing. If you haven't already, give it a try.

I've had it plenty in years past (yes, I had access to the "private line" for a while, too). At the time I thought it was the best quality pizza of the lot (especially tomato basil or garden vegetable in season) with the best crust. Without that access, and living and working in and around New Haven for some 20 years now, I never thought it was worth the hassle of waiting in line; I rarely do anywhere. I usually get take out, and that is just an impossibility at Sally's. That's why I go with Modern 90% of the time or so.

I do get to Pepe's a few times a year because some visitor will want to try it. It has remained consistently excellent imo.

I just haven't been back to Sally's in at least ten years and I am legitimately curious about what the hell has happened because I hear nothing but bad reports from others (including about the quality and cleanliness), and I know from direct observation that they are doing a small fraction of the business that they used to do.

There's got to be more to it than the same ol' same ol' for the past 30+ years. Why would that cause the crowds to leave now?

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Yes, the service at Sally's sucks. . What kind of snob cares about whether the waitress is friendly? Give me good food/bad service over lousy food/good service any day.

My experience was crappy food and crappy service.

 

[Husky25]

Sally's is and always will be my favorite. The people aren't the nicest but I think its way better than pepe's.

That kinda counts for something. The only place I will ever accept rude service is at "Richard's"Last Resort, but that is their schtick. I cannot reward unintentional douchiness with my patronage.

 

[mauconnfan]

If we're going back in time then Verdolini's in Meriden should be in the top 3...

The BEST ever…….nothing like the Spooker back int he day at Verdolini's……..the Mazzeralla's were excellent people too…….the flood killed Meriden pizza for a long time after that………good call,, my favorite ever CT…...

 

[CTBasketball]

The BEST ever…….nothing like the Spooker back int he day at Verdolini's……..the Mazzeralla's were excellent people too…….the flood killed Meriden pizza for a long time after that………good call,, my favorite ever CT…...

100% spot on mau.

 

[August_West]

When was the last time you were there? I can't find anyone who has been there in the past few years who has a good word about the place in any respect, including the quality of the product. By all reports and appearances the place is surviving solely on reputation, which is dwindling along with the crowd.

I've been there in the last 6 months. And minimum twice a year over the last 5. It was really good, but not up to the snuff I was used to from them in the last 30 years of going. I think when Flo died they lost some steam. And yeah, the crowds have dwindled. I waited 5 hours there once in the 90's ( out of town relatives had to try it) . Sally's used to be much longer wait than pepes. Not anymore.

 

[mauconnfan]

100% spot on mau.

Actually the sauce was so damn good and the crust had such a nice crispy char to it, once in a while a plain pizza - red sauce only with sprinkled fresh parmesan cheese was all that was needed at Verdolini's………man I miss it!! LOL

 

[NotADimeBack]

New park pizza was/is my all time favorite pizza… dunno if its the same owners or pizza style but

 

[DarthGrumpy]

There's a place called Armando's toward fresh pond in cambridge that used to be really good, it's around Concord and Huron. I used to live on their pies and calzones in law school. My judgment could have been impaired though.

I lives in East Arlington at one time. Never went their; but, did get take-out pizza from My Brother's in Arlington and then sometimes drive over to Davis Square for Mike's calzones, which are about the size of a human leg.

 

[BearJWS]

Rossini's in East Hampton. Pizzeria Da Vinci in Colbalt, Giovanni's in Glastonbury, and Fireside in Gales Ferry are all excellent. Pepe's has regressed since they started to expand.

All that said, it is true that pizza is like se><. Even if it's bad, it's still pretty good and pizza of any sort is better than the "best" American Chinese food, which by my definition can only achieve the rank of average.

You must be from my general "hood". Da Vinci's is very good, though sometimes a lil salty. A friend runs it & he's a great guy (despite is Sox tendencies). Try the Tomato Basil pizza but add bacon, or the "vegetarian-unvegetarian" as they call it! Rossini's are ok. While thin crust, it falls apart too easily. Hit or miss for pizza. I grew up down by New Haven, so it's difficult to find good pizza in these parts. And Chinese food is horrible here! Ugh

For anyone in southeast CT....check out Pizza Cucina in East Lyme. It is great

Thanks for the tip. I will check it out. I spend a lot of time in Niantic in the summer months. All other pizza places are bad. If you spend time down there, hopefully you've hit The Shack for breakfast & the Flander's Fish for at least Sunday brunch. Both very good.

 

[storrsroars]

http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20140429/new-havens-famed-sallys-apizza-for-sale

Sally's is for sale.

Which one of you pizza snobs wants to buy it?

 

[8893]

I've been there in the last 6 months. And minimum twice a year over the last 5. It was really good, but not up to the snuff I was used to from them in the last 30 years of going. I think when Flo died they lost some steam. And yeah, the crowds have dwindled. I waited 5 hours there once in the 90's ( out of town relatives had to try it) . Sally's used to be much longer wait than pepes. Not anymore.

Thanks. I've been thinking that I should look at the lack of a crowd as an opportunity to go back there without the hassle, and I should. I just wanted to know that it's not rancid. If it even comes close to its former quality it will have been worth the stop. Unlike Pepe's, I fear we may live to see a day when there is no Sally's, and I should at least have some idea of what it's like now.

 

[8893]

http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20140429/new-havens-famed-sallys-apizza-for-sale

Sally's is for sale.

Which one of you pizza snobs wants to buy it?

Holy cr@p! I didn't think it would be that soon!!!

On second thought, maybe not on going back there...

 

[August_West]

I've had it plenty in years past (yes, I had access to the "private line" for a while, too). At the time I thought it was the best quality pizza of the lot (especially tomato basil

See now you set me on a pizza jones. Was dropping daughter off at dance class and ended up next door with one of these in front of me . ( daVinci's in killingworth, decent but it ain't new haven)
Tomato basil

 

[Husky25]

You must be from my general "hood". Da Vinci's is very good, though sometimes a lil salty. A friend runs it & he's a great guy (despite is Sox tendencies). Try the Tomato Basil pizza but add bacon, or the "vegetarian-unvegetarian" as they call it! Rossini's are ok. While thin crust, it falls apart too easily. Hit or miss for pizza. I grew up down by New Haven, so it's difficult to find good pizza in these parts. And Chinese food is horrible here! Ugh.

Actually, I live there now. I'm from central Mass. My wife and I prefer Rossini's but I certainly understand the fall apart issue. 2 pieces of advice to firm up the crust: If your gonna eat the pie in one sitting (I.e. sharing it with 4 or more), order it crispy. If you are ordering out or plan to take some home, order it normal and throw it in a preheated toaster oven (convection works best) at 400 for about 5 minutes.

FYI, Divinci's moved to the drive in summer shack next door and a steamed cheeseburger joint opened in the old Divinci's space.

 

[8893]

See now you set me on a pizza jones. Was dropping daughter off at dance class and ended up next door with one of these in front of me . ( daVinci's in killingworth, decent but it ain't new haven)
Tomato basil

I've been there a few times and had their pie several dozen more, although it's been a few months. We got take out there often when they first opened, but it's just slipped off the radar for a little while. Yep, decent pie, nice flavor; not New Haven. I'm a Gassosa guy, but one of my daughters (who took dance at that same spot many years ago) likes the White Birch.

The only place that doesn't make me miss New Haven is Bufalina in Guilford. If you haven't been there, you should make a reservation and check it out. It's my favorite eat-in pizza right now, period. BYOB too, which is nice. Kids love it, too (especially the Nutella pizza).

 

[BearJWS]

Actually, I live there now. I'm from central Mass. My wife and I prefer Rossini's but I certainly understand the fall apart issue. 2 pieces of advice to firm up the crust: If your gonna eat the pie in one sitting (I.e. sharing it with 4 or more), order it crispy. If you are ordering out or plan to take some home, order it normal and throw it in a preheated toaster oven (convection works best) at 400 for about 5 minutes.

FYI, Divinci's moved to the drive in summer shack next door and a steamed cheeseburger joint opened in the old Divinci's space.

Welcome to the area. Rossini's is very close to me and I have their take out & Da Vinci's on many a Friday evening. I know all about Da Vinci's big move & renovation next door. It's much nicer than before plus they just improved the front patio area too. At last check, the steamed cheeseburger wasn't open yet, but if it has I'll check it out. It's a chain from their main location in Meriden where they are quite popular, along with Ted's. Steamed cheeseburgers are kinda an icon in this area.