Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana

Always an excellent meal. I had my first pizza at frank Pepe when I was 5 years old. For ten years when attending school in Connecticut our whole group went every Friday night. I like the clam and bacon personally. It’s one of the only places I know that offer it. Since we moved from Connecticut several years ago we still go every time we’re home to visit. Still the 45 minute wait as always!

Not sure there’s anything to add here that everyone else hasn’t already said. Long wait at noon on a Sunday compounded by the fact that the main restaurant was closed for renovations. We were in line for ~45−60 minutes to get a table for two inside, though many people got takeout.
White clam pizza was super garlicky (just the way I like it), cheesy, and piled with clams. Wish I added bacon, which seems to be a popular combo. Margherita was simple, but extremely well executed.
The pies are pretty thin, but one small was enough to fill me up until past dinnertime. Crust is chewy yet crisp, and has enough of a char on the bottom to leave evidence on your face (or I could be an exceptionally messy eater).
Also tried a Foxon Park white birch soda, and I don’t think I’d order it again. It was like root beer, with extra rootiness.
When we left, the line had doubled, so I can’t imagine how long those people were waiting in the cold.

Si te encanta comer la mejor pizza del mundo, ven a The Original Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana. aEl restaurante está en New Haven, Connecticut. El precio no es caro, entonces debes ir con tus amigos y familia. El restaurante abre cada día de las 11 am hasta las 10 pm. El menú tiene diferente comida italiana pero la pizza es lo mejor.
El ambiente es causal y acogedor. Este restaurante está Bueno para ocasions familia y amigos. El restuarante es muy tranquilo también, además ven aquí con tu familia. El servicio es Bueno. El servicio es rápida y los meseros son atentos. Los meseros son simpáticos, entonces sit e gusta servicio Bueno ve a The Original Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napeletana. La comida aquí es riquísima. Yo pido la pizza se pepperoni y la pizza es sabrosa. Entonces, si va allí, pruébala porque la pizza es excelente.
En conclusion, ve a The Original Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana si quieres probar pizza buena. El restaurante está lejos de la ciudad de Nueva York entonces no vengas aquí si no te gusta la distancia. El restaurante esta lejos pero el restaurente sirve pizza excelente. Además, ven a The Orignal Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana porque el ambiente es acogedor y casual, el servicio es bueno, y la comida es riquísima.

This place really lives up to the hype! I traveled between New York and Boston for work for a while and people on both ends have recommended coming here.
We visited on a Tuesday afternoon and it was already crowded. I can’t imagine what it must be like trying to get a seat on the weekend. We followed our server’s recommendation and tried the white clam pizza. Very unique, in a good way, but somewhat on the salty side as was our other meat lover’s pizza. Maybe that’s how they get you to buy more beer, I don’t know.
The atmosphere is terrific. Even though it’s world famous, everything still feels mom and pop. All the servers are really friendly to each other and to the customers. My only complaint is the child seats that clip on to the table. It’s a good concept and I understand that there isn’t much room for standalone highchairs, but several times my toddler almost wiggled the clamp off the table. Be careful when using one of these with a strong child.

Believe the hype people!!! When they boast «Best pizza in America» it’s pretty darn close. Cute spot in downtown New Haven, CT. Maybe 15 tables. No rezzies so you may have to wait but worth it! Stopped and grabbed a plain & pepperoni to bring to fam in PA. Brick oven, thin crust with a little burn on the end (trust me it works) I was humming as I stretched the cheese from my first bite. Recommended by my friend who is a chef from New England and as I informed her where I was she literally screamed in envy. If you love pizza this is the motherland.

This is the result of true, genuine pride. There is no other way you could end up with pizza sauce like this. It’s transcendent. The moment it touches your tongue your mouth will water like you just thought of the most sour thing on earth. You could put their sauce on any pizza and it would instantly become twice as good. The toppings are so fresh and the amount of effort in their selection of toppings is apparent upon first taste. I love their pizza. I love it. There aren’t enough words in any language to express the first taste of a pie here. I don’t like many things about Connecticut, and I don’t like many things about New Haven in particular, but this place will always be my gold standard for pizza. So thank you, Frank Pepe’s, for ruining every other pizza place for me.

Not the most amazing pizza in the world but good enough to recommend to others. One thing I like was the white clam pizza. It was delicious.
The service was not bad but the atmosphere was very crowded. I had to get up 3 times to let others pass. It was noisy and full of people but the pizza made up for it.
This is thin crust pizza and the portions are very generous! Oven cooked so will get some char on it in areas.
I wouldn’t eat here again but I would recommend you at least give it a try.

This was my very first experience in real old school authentic brick oven pizza. The place just smells wonderful like you imagine ‘Momma Leoni’s kitchen. We get a traditional red pie to share. Love at first bite! Wow, it is something the likes of which I’ve never had before. It has a taste akin to slight roasting & baking together. Crust texture is an interesting dichotomy of crispy and chewy, yet still moist and flavorful. It took me a while to get acquainted with the look of burnt crust. It’s something else. it’s just the way brick oven cooks. It appears to be a large amount of food, however we polished it off easily and the price is right. The place has a typical family owned feel to it, very casual and comfortable in our booth. After the meal we sip our cool birch beer sodas and start planning our next visit to New Haven in the near future.

I never thought I’d like pizza with no sauce. Then I came here.
Their main building /​restaurant is under oven renovation, but it’s a cute little restaurant with a very basic menu. Basically you get pizza or a salad. The small pizza was just enough for a fairly hungry mid twenties girl!
Their white clam pizza lived up to its hype which was a nice change from what I’ve been experiencing lately when I try restaurants that have a «hype» around them or an item on the menu. I’m not even a fan of clams, and I enjoyed it. The pizza just had a ton of flavor. I tried a piece of plain cheese and that was also very good. Definitely recommend stopping here if you’re in the area.
I also think the road it’s located on is super super cute!!! I’d like to go back to just browse the street.

Pepe’s is legendary. I have been here numerous times, and it is one of my favorite pizza places.
The other Pepe’s locations are close, but just not as good as the original. In my experience, the bottom of the pie is slightly more burnt and crispy at this original location on Wooster Street. The white clam pie is wonderful. Parking can be challenging here and the service is friendly, but old school. I recommend sharing a few small or medium pies to sample the different varieties. After you eat, head down the street to Libby’s for a cannoli. New Haven has a lot to offer. If you live farther away, make a day trip here, check out the museums at Yale and then enjoy the original Pepe’s.

In New Haven, CT there is a street called Wooster. This street happens to have some of the best pizza parlors in the world (some say it’s because of the water in the pipes), and I would happily agree. That being said, you only get to choose ONE. You’re a Pepe’s lover or the lesser known, Sally’s.
I AM A FRANK PEPE FAN. My family has been in New Haven since the late 1800’s and my grandmother first started eating at Pepe’s in the 1930’s (when she was in high school). The loyalty fell to my mother during the 50’s-60’s, and since the 80’s, I’ve been the family representative. :)
Now, the pizza. Brick coal fired ovens have ben roaring since 1925 and my guess is millions of pizzas have flown out of the original oven. Impressive. There are really only two pizzas to order…
1. The White Clam — Freshly shelled littleneck clams, garlic, parsley, olive oil and a slight dusting of aged cheese.
2. The Mozz — Mozzarella, tomato, olive oil. Perfection.
Always order a bottle of white birch soda from Foxen Park as an accompaniment, even if you don’t drink soda.
Thank you Pepe’s for your existence. When I’m on my death bed, you will truly be my last meal.

It’s no secret Frank Pepe is a landmark in town and a must-​visit for all tourists coming to visit Yale for one reason or another. We left the Yale-​Harvard game at halftime to miss the crowds and see if the hype is warranted. Even with our early arrival a 45-​minute wait ensued.
The best part of our experience was walking into the room where the ovens can be seen (this is where you pick up takeout orders). Watching the cook shovel the coal into the ovens and seeing piles of coal on the floor is something you don’t see often in the US.
As for the pizza there’s no doubt it’s good — and a local favorite. If you’re in town there’s no reason you shouldn’t give Pepe’s a try, but do expect to wait during peak hours. Is it the best pizza we’ve ever tasted? I wouldn’t say that, but it’s well better than average and likely the best pizza in Connecticut. Meanwhile, if you’ve eaten extensively in places like Chicago and NYC you’ll think the pizza is good, but not world class.
What we were most disappointed with was the service. The two waiters that managed our area were rude, cranky and it showed they didn’t want to be there. And, we weren’t the only table that realized it. Several groups voiced their opinions on how poor the service was, sadly. Of course, the servers were stressed out as a reflection of how busy it was, but keep in mind, it’s the night of the biggest game of the year in New Haven (and one that happens every two years) and also that most of us waited patiently for at least an hour in the dark and cold. Next time please show your customers more appreciation an respect. Service is half the experience.

I don’t even know where to begin, this place is so cool and homey as far as I’m concerned if you’re in the area it’s a must! they use a pizza oven that has been around since 1935 and they don’t need to change a thing, because it’s delicious! the sauce is the right amount of sweet it’s like a whole new experience, you haven’t had pizza sauce until you’ve had this– seriously. The original you can’t go wrong, it’s cheesy and salty and sweet and will leave you wishing you had leftovers but surely there won’t be any. We also got a margarita pizza which is far less cheese and more for the sauce lovers but, again a masterpiece. Cheryl was personable as were all the staff, I mean they run like a well oiled machine at this place.
If you’re in the area you MUST go and get there early (pizza is a breakfast food and you know it, don’t judge) the line gets long pretty quickly!

Holy shit this is great pizza! We were coming home from Boston and decided to make a detour having heard about it forever. Its AMAZING. We got a white clam and tomato pies to go. Couldnt wait and started to eat it in car its unbelievable so happy we stopped by.

Aw, Pepe’s!!! I love you and I love pizza.
Four girls splitting two mediums (with toppings) and sodas came out to be about $ 16 each after tax and tip which is worth it for me.
Pizza:
+ White clam is a must try at least once
+ My fave is sausage & mushroom
+ Thin crust really works here
+ I love the odd-​shaped slices
If I’m in New Haven again, I am definitely swinging by here for some Pepe pizza love.

You don’t go to New Haven for New York style pizza. That’s crazy. You go to this original location to drink in the history of the place and enjoy a style of pizza all its own. Well charred, coal fired pies, made with a double crust, and topped with some savory bits of goodness.
The clam is great, but you’ve got to eat it hot out of the oven. Some pizzas can reheat well. Clam pizza suffers tremendously.
Generally, I’m a pepperoni hater, but Pepe’s pepperoni is small, thickly cut, and nicely spiced. It’s far better than the shop’s sausage, which I always want to be better than it is. The bacon is a little bit sweet, which always surprises me. I have to say that I’m a big fan of the white broccoli garlic pie.
Really, it’s all about the crust. And the white pies help the crust to shine through.
I haven’t quite put my finger on why this is the case, but red sauce pies really require toppings to make them sing. Seriously, try the pepperoni. On my next trip, I really hope to try a white spinach, mushroom, and bacon.
But don’t come here if you think pizza with any color on on it burnt. You won’t be happy. If you like blistered crusts, and sooty hands, this is the place for you. Thank God Pepe’s doesn’t make pizza that pleases everyone. The lines are bad enough as it is.

Frank Pepe’s is an institution. They’re famous for New Haven style pizza which they call apizza, which is charred in their absolutely massive coal oven. The most popular pizza and the most unique one is the White Clam.
We ordered a small White Clam and also a small Margherita with garlic. It was Small Business Saturday while we were visiting, so if you signed up in advance and paid with your American Express card, you got $ 10 credit back on your card at participating small businesses. It was awesome because Frank Pepe’s was on the list, so we actually got our pies for only a few dollars each.
The White Clam lacks sauce and the Margherita was extra saucy! We preferred the latter.
I was stoked to finally try New Haven pizza; it had been on my must-​try list for a long time. I think i still prefer a good, thin NY slice, but this was still very good. It was also very cheap. A small tomato pie was only $ 7, which feeds two.

On the drive back from Newport with a full minivan of people, I suggested a stop at Frank Pepe’s. Little did I suspect that my wife would’ve preferred to stab me in the face with a fork rather than delay our already lengthy road trip.
We ordered two large pies, one covered in pepperoni and other meaty items, and one White Clam pie. Unfortunately, it took about twice as long as the wait we were quoted, and my wife undoubtedly decided during the downtime that she was either going to kill me, or divorce me.
Eventually, we received our pizza and devoured them on the hood of our car. Despite the long wait, uneven pepperoni distribution, the loss of my marriage, a slightly sweet sauce, a solid percentage of the (otherwise excellent) crust being burnt and inedible, I’d say it was worth the stop.
This is some damn good pizza.

On our way to beantown, we decided to stop by Frank Pepe’s to give the legendary New Haven establishment a shot. Street parking was easy to find but there is also a parking lot.
A short wait, we ended up being seated at lucky table number 7. Not the most hospitable waitress but she answered all our questions about the food. We ordered a small clam pie and a small margherita pie. If you’re a fan of Sprite or 7-​up, give Gassosa lemon soda a try. Less carbonated and full of flavor.
The white clam pizza was decent but the big gripe was that the dough was way too tough to really enjoy. I’m pretty sure this was just our specific pie since we had tried the marghertia and absolutely loved it. That red sauce they used was so tasty!
I’d come back to give the clam pizza another shot but wouldn’t go out of my way to.

Sometimes when New York runs out of pizza, you have to venture to the great previous alphabetical city of New Haven to get your fix on. Or, if you’re coming from points north of New Haven like we were, just change your train to bake in a layover so you can check out Pepe’s.
I like my lines like I like leaving for work in the morning: out the door. Pepe’s doesn’t disappoint there — expect a wait, and to be happy about it, because there were two separate groups of «quitters» in front of us, so the line moves faster!
Ok, enough ado, so without any further ado, the pizza. It’s AMAZING. We got a large pie (waitress was skeptical we could finish it between the two of us) that was half White Clam pie and half Fresh Tomato pie (seasonal July-​September). The Fresh Tomato half was easily one of the top 10 pizzas I’ve ever had, comparable (but not quite as good) as the best of NYC. But the white clam half was the best white pizza I’ve ever had, better than equivalent New York pizzas and is making my mouth water, even though I just left the restaurant and am stuffed. The clams were perfect, the crust amazing, and the garlic and olive oil on top made it smell like my nose started hallucinating and came up with the best smell it could imagine.
All in all, totally worth a stop for pizza lovers, pizza likers, and pizza don’t-haters on your next tourist vacation to New Haven.

The best pizza I’ve ever had was surprisingly in France. What made it amazing was the perfectly chewy yet toothsome crust, minimal but quality topppings, and luscious cheeses. When I was told countless times of the majesty of Frank Pepes, I knew we had to try it to see if what they said was true… and it was completely true.
The pizzeria has enough reviews not to need any more to affect their Unilocal star rating, but I have to say, this place is amazing. I give it a hearty 5 stars without question, and even wish there were more than 5 to give them! They have a passionate following, so arriving before they open is a must unless you want to wait all day for your pizza (which if you decide to do, it’s still worth it).
Both times we’ve been here, we ordered the Local Tomato Pie. The pizzas are incredibly huge, with impeccably perfect crust, and simple but flavorful toppings. My husband and I split a medium which was shockingly large, but put a surprisingly big dent in it because it was just that good. When my husband was polishing off his second (or third) slice, he looked at me eating my piece and said «Even though my mouth is full of crust, I am jealous of you getting to eat that piece in your hand,» even though we had still over half the pizza in front of us. The pizzas are borderline divine.
The seating situation can be tricky with the bustling around constantly, and the bathroom situation is dire, with only one stall for the entire restaurant. They do have their own parking lot which is good if you get there in time to snag a spot, or you can order take out and eat in the comfort of your own home and skip all the drama. This is the best of the best, and clearly holds its many titles from a well-​honed product, and repeatable, dependable quality. There is nothing like Frank Pepes, and has probably spoiled me forever with its perfect pizza pies.

best clam pizza. im still craving for it