A Visit To New Haven and Pepe’s Pizza

World Famous Frank Pepe Pizzeria. Yep. You read that right. World Famous!

Jacob in Pepe’s

My grandson Jacob’s birthday was in April. Each year since his birth, I have looked to do something special for him. Over recent years, it has been a trip to Lake George, eating dinner at different restaurants, including one of his favorites, The Prospect Mountain Diner, where he can get a rare burger.  

This year, I began making plans for another Lake George birthday, and then one morning I was working on something and felt like I needed to ask Jacob if Lake George was what he wanted to do. I gave him the opportunity to think about it. A few hours later, he came to me and said he wanted to go to Pepe’s in New Haven. World Famous Frank Pepe Pizzeria, to be specific. (Their website says this: Original New Haven style coal fired pizza, a Connecticut tradition since 1925. Our approach is simple: the best ingredients on the best dough, every time.) 

I am a New Haven boy. Born at Grace New Haven (I know. Name changed to Yale New Haven.), my first years were spent on Orange Street before moving to East Haven and then Northford, attending school in Westville. All before I moved to Vermont. 

The Arch over Wooster Street

For years, I shared stories about my childhood in Connecticut with my kids and grandkids. One of those stories was about regular trips to Pepes and Wooster Street in New Haven. Jacob asked me to go to Pepe’s and try the clam pizza. He went online and checked it all out. 

So, we began planning a trip to New Haven. It was a little delayed because Jacob had plans for a few weeks, but we decided on a date, and made the plans. 

I mentioned our upcoming trip on my Facebook page and friends, family, and even Pepe’s jumped in there.  

“Yay for clam pizza!!” said my friend, Nancy. 

Sally’s on Wooster Street

Everyone has an opinion of what pizza is. It usually is a regional thing. Unless…You are talking about New Haven. Then, you start to hear Pepe’s, Sally’s, Modern, and more. It’s like Pizza Wars or something. And while Micky Dolenz would sing a song about Zor and Zam, who “They gave a war, and nobody came,” rest assured that is NOT the world of pizza! I have traveled all around the United States and ate pizza everywhere. (When I buy pizza, I tend to go for simple, tasty, and thin.) 

Years after I moved out of Connecticut, there were just a couple of reasons for going back after my mom moved to Indiana. Besides family and friends, one was seafood, and the other apizza! Specifically from Wooster Street. 

Apizza? 

Original Tomato Pizza at Pepe’s

From an article on Home Made Pizza School, titled What is Apizza and How to Pronounce It? 

Ever imagined making a delightful homemade version of apizza, a special type of pizza you might have never heard of? With roots in New Haven, Connecticut, apizza has become a culinary gem enjoyed by many throughout the region [and around the world].

The pronunciation of the word apizza can be a bit tricky for newcomers, too, as it is generally pronounced “ah-beets” in the local colloquial language and you might get stared at or ridiculed for mispronouncing it. This pronunciation stems from the Neapolitan dialect, with origins tracing back to Southern Italy. 

I was born in 1955 and my folks used to take me Pepe’s, and occasionally Sally’s or Modern Apizza. That’s where the addiction began. And I know for others it is the same! 

From an old school friend, Bob.  “There’s no debate. When it comes to pizza, Wooster Square is the center of the universe. “

Who goes there? Pretty much everybody! And one of those categories is “famous” people.

The list of celebrities is lengthy. 

Gioia Cafe and Bar on Wooster Street

I remember Arnold Horshack (Actor Ron Palillo) from “Welcome Back Kotter” days getting Pepe’s pizza on the Mike Douglas Show in the 70’s. He was born in New Haven and lived in Cheshire. Apparently, guests were asked about favorite foods, and his fave was Pepe’s and they arranged for it to be there! 

Hi Lee , I was born and raised on the hill. My grandma lived above Pepe’s way back when Frank first started. He would carry the pies on his head to sell slices to the Yalies on the green. My friend, Bill. 

How about Paul Giammati in a CT Insider article? 

 And there on Wooster Street, likely somewhere around Depalma Court, the Giamattis drew a hard line. 

“Pepe’s,” he told Maron without hesitation. “Absolutely Pepe’s.” 

The late Gary Bimonte, who co-owned Frank Pepe Pizzeria, told News 8 in a 2015 interview that he has met more than 40 celebrities at the restaurant. 

Those big names included presidents like Ronald Regan and Bill Clinton, along with presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Robin Williams (I live in the town where Jumanji was fimed.) and Paul Simon were also fans. 

While Frank Sinatra never came in person, he was known to send a limo to pick up his pies. 

Clam Pizza at Pepe’s

(usatoday.com) 

New Haven pizza brings celebrities like Bill Clinton, Steven Spielberg to Wooster Street (wtnh.com) 

12 celebrities who have been spotted eating New Haven pizza (wtnh.com) 

I moved to Vermont when in my teens, but still craved the pizza of Wooster Street. It was funny. I was in Real Estate in the Stratton area, when I received a call from folks in New Haven. One of the Pepe family members was coming up to meet with me to look at a building in Townshend, Vermont. (Remember, Funny Farm? It was to be filmed in the 80s but the gazebo was placed right across the street from this available store front.) I thought my “prayers” for apizza, were being answered, but it didn’t happen. 

It was when my daughter moved to West Haven in the early 2000s, that it allowed me to visit the area weekly. And that included pizza and seafood! 

Birthday

This past Saturday, my wife and grandson headed down to New Haven. (We live in Keene, New Hampshire, about 2.5 hours of driving.) Grabbing coffees we headed South. Driving down I-91, it started to drizzle. As we drove through Hartford, we started talking about what we wanted to do. Getting off Hamilton Street, past the Wooster Square Park, onto Olive, and making the left on to Wooster Street. It was but a few minutes after 11, Sally’s already had people in a line. Parking across from Pepe’s there were people, and when we got inside, it was already packed, but we got a window booth. Despite the busyness, we were quickly greeted by Charlotte. She told me she had worked there for 32 years. She still had a smile. Shared some fun things and made sure we were all set. 

Tina, Lee, and Jacob in front of Pepe’s Pizza.

As I sat there, I watched Tina and Jacob, taking in the atmosphere, looking out the window, and just enjoying. I found myself in a nostalgic mood.  

When it came time to order, we ordered a large clam* pizza, with the promise of ordering an original tomato* pie, to go. I ordered a Foxon Park White Birch Soda. (I haven’t had a soda in over 8 years.) When I was a child, my dad used to drive me to this little “diner” at the foot of New Haven Trap Rock, and I would get one of those. And our order was placed 

While we sat there, the crowds went by. Pizzas by the dozens were being loaded into cars out front. And no one was in a rush. The neighborhood was the neighborhood! 

The pizza came, and it brought back memories. As we dove into the clam pizza, the smells, the sights, and the sounds brought it all back into focus. NEW HAVEN! We ate and ate some more. I only had a few sips of the soda and handed it over to my grandson.  

The food was great. Clams, white sauce, and family!

You could look around the room and see history. It never changes.  

For me, the past. Whether it is Pepe’s (Or Sallys.) or my thinking about the old Goldie & Libros on Chapel Street (I met so many famous musicians down there.) or wandering around the Green, thinking about who I might see at Toad’s Place or going to Stiky Fingers. How many times did I go to the Peabody Museum? 

Black & White Photos on the wall of Pepe’s

On some levels I am the results of history. I know the stories about the places that Pepe’s sowed into. The other apizza places. (On some levels, someone helped you, you helped another.) To this day Pepe’s still does what is called “Good Neighbor Nights” helping nonprofits. They are also part of the Connecticut Food Bank program. 

Like many business owners of the day, Frank Pepe lived above the pizzeria with his family. The whole family worked downstairs in the pizzeria. Frank Pepe became know as “Old Reliable” for his contributions to the community and unwavering love for his growing family. 

We left Pepe’s with an original Tomato Pie to go. After placing it in the car, we walked down the street. We walked to the end of the street down towards Sally’s. We intended to go to Libby’s for cannoli’s but after walking around, well, we completely forgot. My friend, Bill said, “It’s customary to go next-door to Libby‘s for a lemon ice or another dessert to top off the occasion.” We missed it. 😊 

We headed out. Originally, I was going to head over to Jimmie’s and walk the boardwalk, but it started to rain. So, we drove around a little. I showed Jacob where my dad worked at Sargent’s. Drove down what looked like a food truck row overlooking the harbor. I showed him places I went when I was a child: businesses, car yards, restaurants, and more. Jacob loved the architecture and the graffiti. That is why he wants to return 

My childhood home in East Haven, Connecticut

I wanted to show Jacob where I lived in East Haven. Driving out Foxon Road, it certainly wasn’t the fields and meadows of my youth. I could not even tell you where the school I went to was located on that road! (I went to Highland School. My brother told me he was part of the crew when they tore it down, and he had some of the slate chalkboard.) We finally made it to Hellstrom Road and headed around to Raymond Court, where I lived. That was where my dad added a porch, built a garage, had my first tree house, and played in the river. 

From there, we headed over to Northford, where we lived. I showed him the houses we lived in there. Where my friends lived. Where we skated, rode bikes, played ball, and lived life. 

My childhood home in Northford, Connecticut

We left there and began the trek home.  

It was a great day. And we had tomato pie for dinner. (And I did save a piece for my brother.) 

Jacob has asked for a return trip. Others have asked if they can join us. Maybe an VRBO with some friends for a day, and travel around a bit, see some sights and eat more pizza. 

To Pepe’s. Than you for all you have done over the years, to be part of the culture, to participate in the community, and to make a difference. 

Some notes from a few friends on Facebook.

My friend, Annette, had this to say. “You’ll have to take me next time!”  (And we will!)

Pizza Cutter given to my friend Bill by Pepe’s

My friend, Bill.

It’s customary to go next-door to Libby‘s for a lemon ice or another dessert to top off the occasion. 

Lee, I was born in the hill section 2. actually my grandmother lived above Pepe’s.  Have something you might be interested in. I’ll show it to you sometime. It’s a engraved Pizza cutter. I believe it was their 75th anniversary when they gave it to me. 

My friend Chris in Virginia.

The Best!

A young friend named Johnny!

The best pie! Enjoy!

My little brother, Larry.

Lee! Bring me a slice or two!  (I did!)

My school friend, Bob, who lives in Vermont

There’s no debate. When it comes to pizza, Wooster Square is the center of the universe. 

My son, Tyler!

Pepe’s white clam pizza is the best  

My junior high friend, Nancy.

Pepe’s clam pizza cannot be beat! 

 My friend Lori.

I love modern, but for clam pizza it’s got to be Pepe’s …  

A childhood friend, Alan, in Florida.

(Alan) I miss Pepe’s

(Me) Me too! That is why we are headed there. There is one in Plantation City!  

(Alan) I’ll be in Connecticut in July so I’ll be hitting up the original Pepe’s… on Wooster Street.

(Me)(Alan) That is where I am going.  

(Alan) Last time I ate at the one in Hartford, but it wasn’t the same.

(Me) Yeah-I decided while there are plenty closer I wanted the original 

There are lots more, for sure.

Lee and Jacob in Pepe’s

 Our two pizzas*

• White Clam Pizza Fresh Clam, Garlic, Oregano, Grated Pecorino Romano & Olive Oil
• Original Tomato Pie-Crushed Italian Tomatoes, Grated Pecorino Romano & Olive Oil  (Definitely not foldable as there is so much sauce! Sorry, NYC! As my friend and former restaurant guy, Mikey G. would call it. Zuppa! I think it was all Zuppa to him!)

Pepe’s menu 1

Pepe’s menu 2

And I am asking folks to consider reviewing some of these. 

Here they are. 

• Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
• Abate Apizza & Seafood Restaurant
• Zeneli Pizzeria & Cucina Napoletana
• Sally’s Apizza
• Modern Apizza

All of them are in our site. 

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