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Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Pepe's Pizzeria in New Haven - and beyond!

Media Promotional Sampling

I have never lived anywhere in Connecticut other than New Haven County. In fact, I've lived in only two towns my entire life. Both towns are a short five minute drive from downtown New Haven.

And yet, I had never been to the iconic pizza parlor that set the standards for New Haven Style Pizza in Connecticut, Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Napoletana ..



Consistently voted one of "The Best Pizza Spots in the Country" by Food and Wine, and recently voted the #1 Pizza by the Daily Meal, Pepe's is known for their iconic tomato "pie" and their white clam pizza! Pepe's is located in the heart of New Haven's "Little Italy" on Wooster Street in historic Wooster Square.



On my very first visit to Pepe's, I had the pleasure of sitting down for a late lunch with Gary Bimonte, grandson of "old reliable" Frank Pepe. What I enjoyed most, besides learning about the family's nearly century old traditions of pizza pie making, were the heartfelt stories he told about growing up in the restaurant, and the family meals he shared with aunts, uncles, and cousins around the dinner table. To me, that's one of the best things about food, sharing and enjoying it with those you love, and breaking bread with old and new friends. Read more about Pepe's origins and history HERE.

The Pepe family history is rich with tradition, but the one thing that has remained the same is FAMILY. Be it the offspring of various family members cooking in the kitchen, cleaning tables, or what have you, the family is still involved in varying degrees to Pepe's today. Gary likely has the best job of all, that of quality assurance, and he spends his days traveling to the many Pepe's locations, ensuring the the same quality that originated in New Haven CT, is available in all seven of Pepe's current locations, the two New Haven locations, and in CT's Fairfield, Danbury, West Hartford, Mohegan Sun,  and NY's Yonkers. (Rumor has it that Pepe's is currently scouting locations in Boston's Brookline neighborhood, and a shoreline location in Rhode Island, rumors that Gary could neither confirm or deny.)

And what's on the menu at Pepe's? Pizza, pizza, and more pizza! A fresh garden salad is also available, in addition to Foxon Park Soda, Beer and Wine. See the entire New Haven Pepe's Menu HERE.

Be sure to visit a Pepe's location near you. And if you have the opportunity, visit the original Pepe's in New Haven, CT.

Here's some of the pics from our visit!

Pepe's Pizza and another New Haven staple - Foxon Park Soda
White Birch Beer and Apizza is a match made in pizza paradise!
The tomato pie pictured below is classic Pepe's pizza at its best. Simple fresh ingredients guarantee an equally fresh taste. Crisp thin crust. Absolutely delicious.
The one, the only, original Pepe's Tomato Pie
Sliced Tomato, herbs and spices, and grated parmesan cheese

Ahhhhh. Moving on we sampled the white clam pizza made with fresh clams and garlic, lots of garlic! Succulently sweet clams and zesty garlic make the perfect pairing on pizza!

The White Clam Pie
Fresh clams on the classic New Haven thin crust pizza
Thin and crisp - but never burnt on the bottom
The secret? The only thing that we could learn was that the dough is a bit "wetter" than norm.

I always thought that New Haven pizza couldn't be duplicated anywhere because of our unique water...but Gary assured me they worried about that too, and test the water in every location!

For more pictures visit the Home Place facebook page, and don't forget to "like us" while you're there
More pictures HERE

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
157 Wooster Street
New Haven, CT 06511
203-865-5762




Visit a Pepe's location near you!

In ...

West Hartford CT

Danbury CT

Fairfield CT

Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville CT

Yonkers NY



Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana on Urbanspoon

Disclaimer: We were invited to this promotional sampling at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana by members of  the Pepe's Management and Marketing Team, however, the views and opinions expressed herein are our own.

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