When you are traveling to New Haven, Connecticut, you will want to try one of the most famous pizza spots in the United States. This of course is the iconic Frank Pepe Pizzeria. You can find them at 157 Wooster Street (currently there is street metered parking along this road).

These pizzas are created using only the best ingredients. Their tomatoes are hand picked from the foothills of Mount Vesuvius in Naples, and their delicious clams are harvested from the Long Island Sound, and shores of Massachusetts.

Over the last several years, my husband and I have been exploring more places in New England. If you enjoy a blend of history, nature, and coastal charm, you will absolutely adore the area, and each state has its own unique identity. One stop that we make sure to make whenever we travel north from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the Frank Pepe Pizzeria. Connecticut is well known for its pizzas, and this place truly is the best of the best.

We have been intrigued by this magnificent pizza since seeing it many times on one of our favorite television channels the “Food Network”. Also, apparently, it is a spot that famous celebrities frequent such as Conan O’ Brian, Paul McCartney, Stephen Colbert, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Paul Giamatti just to name a few.

https://www.nhregister.com/living/article/celebrities-new-haven-apizza-ct-19467924.php

This family business was started by American immigrant Frank Pepe in June of 1925 after working in a pasta factory and bakery in his younger years. While he was employed at the bakery, he developed his own version of the classic “apizza” from his original hometown in Naples. After these beginnings, he began selling his “tomato pies” through the Wooster Square Market. This endeavor enabled Frank Pepe to save enough funds to start his “Pizzeria Napoletana”.

To this day, his restaurant uses the recipe of the original dough that he had created. It has a rich flavor due to a longer fermentation process and wetter dough. The pizza is made in large brick flat bread ovens with coal chambers, just as the originals were.

In the 1960s, the restaurant began serving its delicious White Clam Pizza. To this day, it is regarded as the best in the United States, and after trying it myself, I can attest that it is amazing.

https://www.nrn.com/emerging-chains/frank-pepe-pizzeria-originator-of-connecticut-style-pizza-and-perfectionist-of-the-clam-pie

My husband and I are huge seafood fans, and we knew that this would be the pizza that we wanted to try. (If we were not on the road traveling, and there was a way to store the pizza, we definitely would have ordered more off the menu!!!)

It is truly delicious and the ingredients on it are fresh clam, oregano, garlic, grated pecorino, and olive oil.

A couple important facts that you will want to be aware of before going is that there are no reservations (it is first come first serve) and there is generally a bit of a line to get in. I will say, even with the line, it is a fast moving one, and I think when we went, we only waited about five minutes before they took our order. I am sure that depending on when you go the line will fluctuate a bit in size.

While we were driving through the area, we noticed a very tranquil spot called Wooster Square Park, which is fairly close to the restaurant. If you want to eat a bit away from the crowds, and maybe do a little walking after eating your pizza, it is the perfect little oasis.

The Wooster Square Park was named after the Revolutionary War hero David Wooster and was created in the early 1800s. (Wooster was in charge of the militia in New Haven.) Today, this beautiful park is bordered by elegant Yoshino cherry trees, and each spring there is a festival celebrating their delicate bloom.

https://ctvisit.com/listings/wooster-square

The layout of the park is quite nice, and there are benches along the paths to relax on as well. There are several historical monuments that you will find as you stroll around it including a large World War II one that we took note of. There is also a younger art vibe in the area (which makes sense because Yale College is only about a mile away).

In addition to the famous New Haven location, the family does have several others Frank Pepe’s in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Maryland, Virginia, and Florida.

https://pepespizzeria.com/locations

When you are traveling to Connecticut (or even driving through) make sure that you visit the Frank Pepe Napoletana. They have such good pizza, and it is an interesting historic place as well. Let me know in the comments if you have ever tried their pizza, and what your thoughts are about it! I hope that you are having a wonderful day, and remember to click the like and subscribe button!

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NortheastAllie

For generations, my family has lived in the Philadelphia area, and my writing reflects these influences. This blog explores perspectives on life, encouragement, travel, health, and local living.

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