Pizza in CT

[Paul L]

Ive recently moved back to the east coast from Michigan (born and raised in NYC) and am trying to finally allow my wife to understand all those hours of complaining she had to deal with when we would eat "pizza" in Michigan.

Ive searched the archives and read the posts containing pizza talk but Im looking for the type of pizza you could get at your good corner pizzeria in NYC 10-20 years ago. No clams, no shrimp, no exotic wild flowers, (not even sausage).. just a good *plain* slice. Not too too thin, but defintely not thick crust.. Im aware of New Haven's "Big Three" - but - similar to the ethos that pizza is always plain- pizza is not something you wait 40 minutes for, in my opinion.

So given those highly biased conditions- do have any suggestions? New Haven/Hamden, Southington area preferred. All comments welcome.

I had planned on trying every pizzeria in the area, but honestly after 2 of them (Tonys and Randy's -both in the Southington area)- Im not sure I could subject myself to that.

However, I should also say that if you are ever up toward Colchester, The Plum Tomato offers good pizza (not NYC style) but being in the middle of nowhere- better than anything I could find in Michigan.

[SweetSide]

I'm reading along in your post about New Haven and Southington, and then, BAM, you hit me with Colchester.

Well, I take issue with it being in the middle of nowhere as it is my hometown. However, if you want good pizza here (Colchester), go to Illiano's, which has several restaurants in the Norwich area. Blows away Plum Tomato, and I'm NJ raised, and NY style pizza is the only kind to have. And we have plain as well since we are a household with a child...

In Hartford, First and Last is very good. West Hartford has Luna Pizza and Harry's Pizza. Both very good. Never had the New Haven pizza myself, so I can't compare.

Happy hunting!

[Mussina]

I'm reading along in your post about New Haven and Southington, and then, BAM, you hit me with Colchester.

Well, I take issue with it being in the middle of nowhere as it is my hometown.  However, if you want good pizza here (Colchester), go to Illiano's, which has several restaurants in the Norwich area.  Blows away Plum Tomato, and I'm NJ raised, and NY style pizza is the only kind to have.  And we have plain as well since we are a household with a child...

In Hartford, First and Last is very good.  West Hartford has Luna Pizza and Harry's Pizza.  Both very good.  Never had the New Haven pizza myself, so I can't compare.

Happy hunting!

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I LOVE Luna's pizza in West Hartford (simple plain pizza is perfect). Way better than Harry's (greasy) or First and Last in my opinion. Luna's does not get the recognition it deserves for some reason. Simply divine.

New Haven pizza rests a bit on its laurels I think although I do like the white clam at Pepe's. Also, if in New Haven try the pizza at Bru (I have only had the clam) - it is good as is the beer.

[Paul L]

I'm reading along in your post about New Haven and Southington, and then, BAM, you hit me with Colchester.

Well, I take issue with it being in the middle of nowhere as it is my hometown.  However, if you want good pizza here (Colchester), go to Illiano's, which has several restaurants in the Norwich area.  Blows away Plum Tomato, and I'm NJ raised, and NY style pizza is the only kind to have.  And we have plain as well since we are a household with a child...

In Hartford, First and Last is very good.  West Hartford has Luna Pizza and Harry's Pizza.  Both very good.  Never had the New Haven pizza myself, so I can't compare.

Happy hunting!

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I actually grew up in Colchester (weekends at the summer house). I love the area, dont get me wrong- if it was closer to work, Id be living there.

What style is Illiano's (my parents go there a lot, and I know there is the one in Niantic no?)

Plum Tomato is more of a roman style of pizza I think, but now I will definitely have to try Illianos.

Thanks for the Hartford ideas, I may still just try the majority of places nearby and report my findings (which will be highly subjective and probably without merit)

[Roundelay]

Ive recently moved back to the east coast from Michigan (born and raised in NYC) and am trying to finally allow my wife to understand all those hours of complaining she had to deal with when we would eat "pizza" in Michigan.

Ive searched the archives and read the posts containing pizza talk but Im looking for the type of pizza you could get at your good corner pizzeria in NYC 10-20 years ago. No clams, no shrimp, no exotic wild flowers, (not even sausage).. just a good *plain* slice. Not too too thin, but defintely not thick crust..  Im aware of New Haven's "Big Three" - but - similar to the ethos that pizza is always plain- pizza is not something you wait 40 minutes for, in my opinion.

So given those highly biased conditions- do have any suggestions? New Haven/Hamden, Southington area  preferred. All comments welcome.

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We're fans of Dayton Street Apizza in the Westville section of New Haven. As good as The Big Three, in our opinion, but it's pretty much a delivery/takeout place (just a few chairs near the window if you want to eat in).

Broadway Pizza (formerly on Broadway in downtown New Haven, now on Derby Ave.) and Ernie's Pizzeria on Whalley come recommended from friends who like slightly thicker crust pizzas.

Also, Bimonte's Pizza Castle in Hamden used to have terrific pizzas, but we haven't been in a couple of years. The last time we drove by it looked like they were remodeling. Has anyone been there recently?

~Emily

[Fernwood]

Ive searched the archives and read the posts containing pizza talk but Im looking for the type of pizza you could get at your good corner pizzeria in NYC 10-20 years ago. No clams, no shrimp, no exotic wild flowers, (not even sausage).. just a good *plain* slice. Not too too thin, but defintely not thick crust..  Im aware of New Haven's "Big Three" - but - similar to the ethos that pizza is always plain- pizza is not something you wait 40 minutes for, in my opinion.

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Is your "big third" Modern? For take-out, Modern Apizza on State Street is our number one resource. Excellent pie and very efficient, consistent service. Twice in about a decade they have told us "25 minutes", otherwise it's always 20 and the pizza is almost always ready before that.

Bru Rm at Bar is a fun brewpub and I do enjoy their pizza but it is not what you are looking for. Crust is ultra-thin and toppings get rather creative (mashed potatoes!).

[Paul L]

I have to mention that so far Tonino's in Hamden comes close. Eli's has also been good but hit or miss in the past.

[iriee]

pepes is in manchester also and coming to mohegen sun any day.

[Paul L]

It has been a while and am still chasing the NYC slice (the existence of which might be due more to the workings of my memory than any reality) and I would like to add a couple of spots that I can handle...

Joey Garlic's in Farmington- good general pie.

Verona Pizza in Marion/Southington- can be a bit doughy at times- leading me to prefer the small to the the large pie- and there is something about the tomatoes they use that is different, odd and yet compelling.