What Shall We Get? A Pizza Expert’s Guide to Connecticut’s Primo Pies
New Haven native Colin Caplan is a true pizza aficionado. He leads five pizza tours, including a six-hour Pizza Lovers Tour of New Haven, created a 2019 documentary titled “Pizza: A Love Story,” and holds the Guinness World Record for hosting the Largest Pizza Party with 4,525 attendees. We asked him to share his top pizza picks at Connecticut’s five best pizzerias, ranked by the Connecticut Pizza Trail and his own expertise. His answers have been lightly edited for brevity.
Modern Apizza
The mozzarella pizza here is exceptional, perfectly balancing flavors, textures, and gooey satisfaction. Meat lovers should try the Italian Bomb, which layers three meats and four vegetables with sauce and cheese, all on a thin crust bursting with flavor and texture.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
Try the original sauce and grated cheese pizza with garlic at Pepe’s. This classic Neapolitan tomato pie is a New Haven staple, baked in Pepe’s famous coal-fired ovens. For an authentic experience, the white clam pizza represents the connection between the Native Quinnipiac shoreline food and the immigrant flatbread tradition beloved by all.
Sally’s Apizza
The original sauce pizza with added garlic was favored by founder Salvatore Consiglio and remains a top choice for visitors.
“This is the original Neapolitan tomato pie, tried and true, immortalized in the alchemy of Pepe’s massive coal-fired ovens.”
Author’s summary: Colin Caplan expertly highlights Connecticut’s finest pizzerias, showcasing classic and innovative pies that define New Haven’s rich pizza heritage.