(The Original) Frank Pepe Pizzaria Napoletana
Posted by: 
CraigInCT
N 41° 18.173 W 072° 55.025
18T E 674377 N 4574473
Best of New Haven?
Waymark Code: WM1VG1
Location: Connecticut, United States
Date Posted: 07/13/2007
Views: 88
Around 1970, my parents took me to Yale football games in New Haven. The day included tailgating, ivy league football, a hilarious half time show by (those upstarts) the Yale marching band and a stop for Pepe's Pizza.
After my parents divorce, my mom remarried and she and I moved to Woodbridge, CT. During my high school years, friends and I went to Wooster street for pizza. Sure there were closer and cheaper places to get pizza, but Wooster St is pizza heaven. Sally's pizza is the rival, down the stree. Sort of like the cheesesteak rivalry in Philadelphia (GENO!!!)
For a summer job in 1979, I worked a block away on Chestnut St. Most Fridays after work, a few of us would go to Wooster St. Sally's, The Spot, Tony and Lucille's. New Haven's Little Italy has many spectacular places to eat well.
I stopped yesterday for a small pie. The restaurant hasn't changed much over the years. Maybe a new bar, but the floorplan is the same. The pie was exactly what I expected. Big slices of italian sausage with a generous amount of mushrooms. I waited a minute - the longest minute, EVER - before digging in. You must wait a minute or you will burn your mouth.
The tomatoes, the sauce, is what makes their pies stand out in the crowd. Brick oven pizza is much more common now. Many have mastered the crunchy, chewy, slightly burned, thin crust but matching Pepe's flavor is impossible.
One friend swears that its the water they use and the fresh mozzarella cheese and the brick oven and the flour and the... Whatever it is, Pepe's is one of the best pizzarias, and possibly the oldest (established in 1925). Just so you know, they serve pizza only. If you want lasagna, stroll Wooster St and choose one of the other restaurants.
A visit to New Haven without having pizza is a wasted trip.
How do you rate this Pizza restaurant?: 
Address:
157 Wooster Street
New Haven, CT USA
06511
Web Site: [Web Link]
Do they have a full Italian menu?: Not Listed
Do they have home delivery?: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
Any additional information about your visit would be helpful. Photo proof of your visit is not required, but would be appreciated. Don't just say "I ate here", describe the atmosphere and if they have any other Italian dishes on the menu.