Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana

Reviews 3

DR

Dru Chai

It has been a wild and memorable journey. When I look back at the 800+ Yelp reviews Ive written, I am truly amazed. 15 years ago, I was a wide-eyed kid fresh out of college. Food was something I never really cared about -- I just ate to survive. Now, food is a passion. And it all started with Pepes. I was first introduced to Pepes by my manager and co-workers when I relocated to Connecticut. I had never lived outside of California before. They kept mentioning Pepes for my first meal. They said we would have to wait in line. Wait, what... a line? Who wants to wait line for food, I thought. It is so worth it, they assured me. You see, back then, I didnt know anything about food or restaurants. I didnt know how to cook, anything about ingredients, none of that. Pepes was my first introduction to real food and a real dining experience. When I mean real food, I mean food that inspired people. Food that had people waiting in line for. Once the line got shorter and I was inside the restaurant, I was just happy not to be waiting in 20 degree snowy weather. Whats the big deal with this place? Its just pizza, I thought. Couldnt we just cozy up in someones living room and order delivery? 15 minutes later, I would be eating those words, and then some, for dinner. My co-workers did all the ordering. Pepperoni, sausage, cheese, and white clam pie. First off, everyone said "pie" and not pizza. Okay, I shrugged it off. Then someone offered me a birch beer and I just about flipped. What the heck is birch? I took a sip and holy moly. It tasted like root beer on crack, but it looked like water. Then it was time. The pizzas arrived one by one. These pizzas were unlike anything I had ever seen. Ultra thin, crackling crust, oozing cheese. They looked like UFO saucers. I was used to cookie-cutter fast food pizza, haphazardly put together with mediocre and bland ingredients. Pepes pizza was on a whole new level. I shoved slice after slice into my mouth, and ignored the huge painful blisters forming on the roof of my mouth. The thin burnt edges of the crust was my favorite. Never before had I completely finished eating the crust. The ratio of cheese to sauce to toppings was perfect. Then I took a bite of the white clam pie. My mind was blown. The thought of a white pizza freaked me out, but clams? But after eating three slices, I was hooked. It had garlic in it, tender pieces of clams, and... it was WHITE. This was Pepes hot seller, what they were known for, and sells out fast. I had seen and eaten enough. I was transformed. It is no exaggeration when I say that Pepes changed my life. Is it the best pizza ever made on the face of the Earth? Debatable. But it opened up my eyes to the world of food. That people were willing to wait in line for good food. That pizza doesnt have to taste the same. That food... ultimately brings people together. Since then -- 1000s of calories consumed, 100s of restaurants dined, 20 pounds gained, 8 years as a home cook, 5 years as a volunteer chef, 3 years as a BBQ judge/enthusiast, and 1 brain full of food knowledge... I really have a lot to be thankful for. Grazie, Pepes.

JO

Joseph Freni

After having just finished a bodybuilding competition in New Haven CT, I was desperately craving a large pizza as I had been dieting for over 10 weeks, strict number of calories, carbs, water intake, etc. I asked around backstage at the competition for the best pizza around and there was a resounding answer, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven CT, hands down all CT residents said. I exited the competition at 9:45PM and called them to place an order as I knew they closed at 10PM, I was about 10 minutes away and the woman on the phone said "if you can get here, well have it ready for you, otherwise we close the doors at 10PM sharp." I said "oh, Ill be there on time, Ive waited 10 weeks to treat myself after a competition, ill be there." I made it to the restaurant and picked up my large pepperoni pizza just for me (I felt like Kevin Mccallister from Home Alone 2, lol) and figured that Id eat a slice before I got back in my car for the long trek home to MA (a 2.5 hour drive) and I was instantly hooked on the best pizza I have literally ever had, and it wasnt just because I hadnt had pizza for over 10 weeks. The pizza was not greasy, was full of flavor, huge slices that didnt fall apart when you picked them up, the perfect ratios of cheese, sauce, dough, and toppings, and the crust was to die for as well, the toughest part of the pizza to get right. I ate 5 pieces before I knew it and I hadnt even stepped foot in my car yet, I was so impressed by the taste that I lost all track of time and was enjoying my delicious pizza. I believe they have other locations on the east coast but you have to try the original as it was literally the best pizza Ive ever had, I guarantee you will be blown away by the flavor, the authentic italian pizzeria feel, and the friendly service/staff waiting on you as you enter the restaurant. The restaurant is in a really nice area of New Haven, Little Italy, its like you walked through a timewarp and went back in time in Italy, very authentic. Try Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven CT and you will be a customer for life!

TO

Todd Hoffman

For people who crave a really, really tasty pizza, there is only one series of eight restaurants that fit the bill - Pepes Pizza Napoletana. This chain of eight locations in Connecticut is the holy grail of pizza. These pizzas have been prepared exactly the same way for the past 90 years, because as they say, "You Dont Mess With Success". The ovens are brick lined and fired with coal, which burns clean and very hot. The pizza dough is a secret family recipe, as is the sausage, sauce and various other ingredients which are top notch. The white clam pizza is an amazing pie to behold and enjoy, as the thousands who enjoy it every week will be happy to testify. There are almost a hundred different pizza joints in the greater New Haven, Connecticut area, but only one has lines extending down the street on evenings and weekends - Pepes of Wooster Street, New Haven. People will gladly wait an hour or more to enjoy what is arguably the best pizza in the United States. Start with the very best and freshest ingredients, imported olive oil and spices, freshly harvested and shucked clams and shrimp is only one of the several reasons why people flock to this location from far and wide. Since the family supervises the building of every brick fired coal oven at its satellite locations, you can be assured of the same superb quality at each and every Pepes location. Another quality product sold at Pepes is the line of Foxon Park beverages including the fabulously delicious Foxon Park White Birch Beer. For those who prefer beer with their pizza, Sam Adams beers are available from the tap or by the bottle. So if you and your friends and family are looking for an extraordinary night out of fine dining in a casual atmosphere, you simply cant go wrong with any of Frank Pepes eight locations in Connecticut. Enjoy!