A Pepe's Review

[pizzatherapy]

After several years of dreaming about Pepe's Pizza in New Haven, CT, last night my dream came true (again). Espo and I headed to Pepe's and met up with Jon F. and Sandy for a fantastic evening of incredible pizza!

(I will not publicly admit we got lost but Wooster Street is a One Way and besides Espo was driving...OK, we really didn't get real lost...)

When you walk in, you are greeted by a huge coal fired oven which bakes the pizza to perfection! We started off with a Clam Pizza as an appetizer. The pizza crust was fantastic and the clams danced their way into our mouths.

"Are the clams fresh?", I asked. I was then invited to go around back to the parking lot and then peek into the kitchen door! There was Leo, shucking a collander full of fresh clams (quahogs). These clams were as fresh as they get!

I also had the pleasure of meeting, Gary Bimonte, manager/co-owner of Pepe's. Gary is the grandson of Frank Pepe, the founder and creator of Pepe's Pizza.

Gary was gracious and friendly, as he explained, Pepe's, only uses the freshest mozzarella and other ingredients. As you eat the pizza, this is quite evident!

Espo and I had a Half Bacon, Half Pepperoni Pizza while Jon F. and Sandy shared a Half Onion, and Half Pepper Pizza. Each pizza was truly unique and wonderful.

The pizza is served on parchment paper in a large metal pan. Of course we were unable to finish all the pizza, so we were given some pizza boxes to bring the left overs home.

In a word, it is all about the

crust!
. If you are ever any where in the North East United States...you got to try Frank Pepe, Pizzeria Napoletana!!!

[pizzatherapy]

The Pepe's Experience!!!

The Pepe Pizza experience.

Yes indeed my visit to Pepe's with Al "Pizza Therapy" Grande was fantastic. When you are eating a Pepe's Pizza you are in Pizza Heaven.

We may have been a bit lost getting there but once we were there we were found.

The crust is thin, thin and so crispy. And the tomato sauce is done with a minimum of spice. The cheese is fresh as are all the toppings.

In my book Pepe's Pizza is the hands down best pizza in the universe.

[pizzatherapy]

It was nice to meet albert grande. I'm happy Pepe's is enjoyed by all.

 My grandfather would be so happy to see it. It takes a lot of work and dedication to produce a good product for every one to enjoy.


Thank you for your patronage over the last 75 years...
sincerely,
gary bimonte

[pizzatherapy]

Pepe's on Wooster Stree in New Haven is the best.There use to be another great place on Wooster St. called the SPOT.The owner was Ernie Baccamiello.When Pepe's or Sally's was too crowded we would walk to The SPOT.

My Dad walked the beat on Wooster St. when he was a young cop and he got to know everyone, Sally, Frank and Ernie.

So we made the rounds and patronized each apizza parlor.There is no better pizza than New Haven Pizza.Too bad I live outside Seattle now, but I did find one place called Pacioni's in Mt. Vernon Wa. that's close to Sally's style.No brick oven though.

I have even had pizza in Western Australia, there are alot of Italians living there

[pizzatherapy]

Aint that stuff the best? I've had to move 1000 miles away from Frank Pepe's yet I still remember the smell, the taste, the BACON AND ONION PIZZA!!! That salty burned yeasty chewy taste...

First time I went in there with my friends in 1987, someone said, "Where's your menu?" and the waitress yelled back "Menu? This is a pizza place-look at the #@&^ board on the wall!"

God I miss that joint.

[pizzatherapy]

You would not believe the garbage they call pizza here in Colorado.

 My parents are New Haven natives, and we lived in Hamden then Madison until I was 17.

We would go to Pepe's regularly and get a sausage and bacon pie, with Foxon Park orange soda.

 Looking back on it now, it's like I almost took it for granted. Until you have eaten at Pepe's you have not eaten pizza.

[pizzatherapy]

In November of last year, I flew a good friend of mine from Utah out to try CT pizza. I love pizza. He wasn't too sure if what I was saying was true or not. The first place we went was Pop's Pizza in Cheshire. That was great, then the next day to Harry's in West Hartford. He thought that was the best pizza he ever had. Then the finale was with Pepe's.

He absolutely loved it! He said that he had no idea that you could have so much joy eating pizza. The birch beer was awesome too! He raved about it to many of his friends and family in Utah.

 He knows that he experience something that many still to this day do not know that Pepe's is the king of Pizza.

 Glad that you have made so many happy.. Thanks Dave

[pizzatherapy]

Pepe's pizza {white clam} is so good you could smack somebody! -

Not for nothing but I'm ashamed to say that the pizza at Pepe's is better than Lenny's in Howard Beach or the Spumoni Gardens on 86th St. - Brooklyn pizza lovers listen up - it's with out a doubt worth the ride up to New Haven.

[pizzatherapy]

Well what can I say about Pepe's.... I had my first experience with Al and my sister and ever since then it's never been the same eating other pizza's. Being from the West Coast via Hawaii there is nothing on this earth that I've had that even comes close......

Whenever I'm working on the East Coast no matter where I am I always make it a point to have a pie and call Al and Charly to let them know where I'm at... hehehe All my friends can't believe we have to stand in line for pizza until they've had it then they truly get it.....

[pizzatherapy]

People tell me all the time this is good pizza, no this is good pizza.

 I say have you ever been to New Haven for pizza, if they say no I tell them that they never had a pizza then.

I've been going to Pepe's for over forty years,I now live in Florida and one of the first things I do when I go home is hit Pepe's for an APIZZA! How can we expect people to know what the best is when they can't even pronounce it.

 I went to school with Gary (owner)and, Gary you make your grandfather proud the way you have continued the tradition. Congratulations Gary

[pizzatherapy]

I may be too young to compete with most of Pepe's regulars (I'm only 22), but I have been eating their pizza since I was in the womb... and I still make sure I go at least once a month!

You can always catch my parents and I... table number 11 at least one Sunday a month at opening time! I would also like to make a special commendation for our regular waitress, Charlotte, who always knows our order(Mozzarella & Salami/Half Onion) and usually has it in the oven before we even get in the door!

She's wonderful, and the pizza is and always will be the best in the world! =D

[pizzatherapy]

Pepe's and Sally's in New Haven are the best in the world...period...and I greatly look forward to returning to Connecticut for the experience...My craving is extrememly high now that I have been in Iraq for over 9 months...

Captain Rob Ramonas, U.S. Army Task Force 261st ASMB LSA Anaconda, Balad APO AE 09391-1293

[pizzatherapy]

Mmmmm... sounds delicious, but here in Hawaii, we only have XXXX, as far as I know. I live in Ewa Beach (pronounced E-Vah), Oahu. My backyard is Pearl Harbor and Honolulu is just right across the bay.

 Although, right now I am visiting some relatives in Cromwell, CT, so I would be obliged to try this Pepe's pizza place you speak of.

Thanks so much for helping me find a "native" place to eat, unlike McDonald's which is just around every corner.