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Travelers' Choice2023
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

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PRICE RANGE
$10 - $50
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
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Reviews (2,040)
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Traveler rating
1,201
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All reviews white clam pizza pie pepperoni clams salad best pizza worth the wait thin crust coal fired oven wait in line pizza place long line wooster street olive oil modern apizza cheese pepe
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Reviewed 1 week ago

Frank Pepe's pizzeria offers a unique 'apizza' style from New Haven, Connecticut, but falls short of expectations. The thin, dry, and charred crust, while a local favorite, may not appeal to all pizza enthusiasts. Full Review: Frank Pepe's pizzeria is renowned for its signature 'apizza'...style, a thin-crust pizza originating from New Haven, Connecticut. As a pizza aficionado with a palate that appreciates a variety of styles, from New York to Detroit, I was eager to sample this celebrated regional delicacy. Upon my visit, however, I found the experience to be rather underwhelming. The 'apizza' style, characterized by its thinner profile and charred crust, was not to my liking. While I can appreciate the appeal of a unique regional variation, the texture and flavor profile of the pizza did not align with my personal preferences. One of the notable aspects of the pizza was its 'limited-use of melting cheeses,' which, while traditional for 'apizza,' left the overall pizza feeling lacking in richness and flavor. Additionally, the charred crust, while adding a distinctive smokiness, bordered on being overly burnt, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the pizza. As someone who believes that good food can come from anywhere, regardless of pedigree or tradition, I approached Frank Pepe's with an open mind. However, the pizza failed to impress on multiple fronts. While I can appreciate the cultural significance and local pride associated with 'apizza,' I cannot overlook the fact that it simply did not meet my expectations in terms of taste and all the praise heaped upon the famed restaurant. Frank Pepe's pizzeria may appeal to those with a specific palate and an appreciation for regional cuisine. However, for those seeking a more traditional or universally enjoyable pizza experience, it may fall short. While I respect the pizzeria's commitment to its unique style, I cannot in good conscience recommend it to others based on my own dining experience.More

Date of visit: April 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank Pepes, Owner at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, responded to this reviewResponded 1 week ago

We appreciate your detailed feedback and understand that our pizza style may not be to everyone's taste. It's clear you have a deep appreciation for pizza and we're sorry to hear that our offering didn't meet your expectations. We value your perspective and will take...More

Reviewed 4 weeks ago

We visited at around 5.30pm on a Tuesday evening and there were a few parking spaces in the carpark beside the building, and no queue at that time. We got a booth inside the door. We had circled by at the same time on Monday...and there was quite a long queue so maybe depends on the day. I had the pepperoni and my partner had the veggie option. Both were really tasty, especially the veggie one. Great thin crust pies with nice charred flavour. We had a few slices in our booth and requested a box to take away the rest! Our server was super friendly and helpful. Happy we got to try the famous New Haven style apizza!More

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?
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Frank Pepes, Owner at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, responded to this reviewResponded 3 weeks ago

Thank you for sharing your experience! We're delighted that you enjoyed our pizza and experienced great customer service. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

Reviewed January 28, 2024 via mobile

Was visiting New Haven and had tried Modern Apizza and wanted to check out Frank Pepe for a comparison. They are pretty similar in crust and texture. But our pepperoni pizza seemed overly greasy and the anchovy pizza just didn’t taste right. The biggest disappointment...was in the Caesar salad which I had ordered to go. It was nothing but a bunch of Romain lettuce with a small container of Caesar dressing and a small container cheese. No croutons. The weakest Caesar salad I think I’ve ever received. Maybe it was an off day (Sunday) and they did not have their A-Team.More

Date of visit: January 2024
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Frank Pepes, Owner at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, responded to this reviewResponded January 30, 2024

We appreciate your feedback and are sorry to hear that your experience didn't meet your expectations. We strive to provide the best quality food and it seems we fell short during your visit. Your comments about the pepperoni pizza, anchovy pizza, and Caesar salad have...More

Reviewed December 22, 2023

You know you’re experiencing history when you get to the neighborhood. That feeling is intensified when you walk through the door and smell the pizza!

Date of visit: July 2023
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Frank Pepes, Owner at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, responded to this reviewResponded December 27, 2023

We're grateful for your positive review. Looking forward to serving you again soon!

Reviewed November 12, 2023 via mobile

Enjoyed a Pepe salad and an original tomato pie, and a meatball pie. The service, the pizza dough, and the toppings are all excellent. The Pepe salad was unexpected, but surprisingly well done. A small pizza is more than sufficient for one person.More

Date of visit: November 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank Pepes, Owner at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, responded to this reviewResponded November 15, 2023

Thank you for your positive review! We're delighted you enjoyed our pepe salad, Original Tomato pie, and Meatball pie. We're glad to hear that the Pepe salad was a pleasant surprise, and we appreciate your insight that a small pizza is more than sufficient for...More

Reviewed November 7, 2023 via mobile

I guess the first thing is get here early. There is always a line outside. Immediately, the service is outstanding. The waitress came right over and offered me a drink and help with my order. I got the original with mozzarella and a coke. The...coke arrived, and it was like the food old days. Fuzzy, cold, and taste like a coke. Everybody seems to be having a great time here. I got my small pie with sausage and pepperoni. I couldn't wait for my first bite. My review is that the pizza is good but you come here for the experience. This place takes you back in time, if you're my age. Brick oven pizza and everything slides off of the pizza when it's piping hot. So be careful. Good pizza. Great service. Awesome atmosphere. Pretty quick with your order. Now I have to try the other place, down the road.More

Date of visit: November 2023
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Frank Pepes, Owner at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, responded to this reviewResponded November 8, 2023

Thank you for another fantastic review! We appreciate your feedback and look forward to serving you again soon!

Reviewed November 5, 2023

Been coming here since I was a kid. I remember the cart in front of the pizzeria where fresh shucked cherry stone clams were sold by the dozen as a pre dinner appetizer. There was a line but it moved quickly. It’s still the best....Nothing has changed except the cost. We had a large sausage and mushroom pizza. It was like old times. We brought half home for another meal. Give it a try. It’s so good.More

Date of visit: November 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank Pepes, Owner at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, responded to this reviewResponded November 8, 2023

It's amazing to hear that you've been a long-time patron and that you still enjoy our pizza as much as you did in your childhood. It's wonderful to know that our sausage and mushroom pizza brought back fond memories. We appreciate your continued support and...More

Reviewed November 4, 2023

We'd read about this restaurant from a guide book which recommended it as being one of the oldest pizzeria's in America. It's in a really out of the way place in West Haven. We managed to get on-road parking and then had a quick queue...outside before we were seated. Service was quick and the waitress was very friendly and chatty. We ordered a pizza to share and were glad we did because it was enormous. It tasted amazing. I can recommend this restaurant if you like your pizza and the history of places. The only downside was the temperature inside. The air-con was turned up so much it was practically arctic and I was shivering even with a thick cardi on.More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Frank Pepes, Owner at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, responded to this reviewResponded November 8, 2023

We're glad to hear that you enjoyed our pizza and appreciated the history of our establishment. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to serving you again soon!

Reviewed October 28, 2023 via mobile

Great Pizza, as has been reviewed so many times. Service is good. Wait time to get in was about 15 minutes, not bad. Will come back

Date of visit: October 2023
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Frank Pepes, Owner at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, responded to this reviewResponded October 29, 2023

We're happy you enjoyed your visit! We look forward to serving you again soon!

Reviewed October 26, 2023 via mobile

Yum! Definitely find this jewel in New Haven. Everyone is working non stop, the oven is glowing, and there must be at least six pizzas in the oven at a time. There is no conveyor belt for the pizzas so great pride is taken in...how each pizza comes out. Great quality!More

Date of visit: October 2023
Helpful?
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Frank Pepes, Owner at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, responded to this reviewResponded October 29, 2023

Thank you for your kind words and high rating! It's wonderful to know that our dedication to quality and craftsmanship shines through in our pizzas. Hope to see you again soon!

Reviewed October 2, 2023

Expectations too high? Maybe. Seems overrated to me. I like a less doughy crust and less blow-your-face-off flavors. On the flavor side, I like pepperoni as much as the next guy and pepperoni should be spicy, but at Frank Pepe.... ow! I also like gorgonzola...cheese, but the spinach, mushroom, gorgonzola pizza made my stomach churn. Ok. It's a college town and most of the patron's are students. If you're a student, have at it. The pizzas here will keep you up all night.More

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank Pepes, Owner at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, responded to this reviewResponded October 4, 2023

Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're sorry to hear that our pizza didn't meet your expectations. We hope you'll give us another chance to impress you in the future.

Reviewed September 25, 2023

I had an Italian beer called Peroni’s. It was in the Little Italy neighborhood of New Haven. I had a tough time finding a place. Nevertheless, I had the best pizza I ever tasted called the original Tomato Pie. I mentioned “No Motz”, the staff...and some of the customers were laughing. It was awesome. It is naturally charred (not burnt). That is what is expected in a wood fire grill. I will go back again if I am in the area but I do not think I can try any other pizza there (including the White Clam). The original Tomato Pie is just so good! I just kept thinking of that song “Nothing compares 2 U” in my head. I can see at one time it was the #1 pizza in the US. Service was excellent.More

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?
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Frank Pepes, Owner at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, responded to this reviewResponded September 27, 2023

We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our Original Tomato Pie and Peroni beer! It's wonderful to know that our coal fired oven also met your expectations. We look forward to welcoming you back next time you're in the area. Thank you for your excellent...More

Reviewed September 21, 2023

The best pizza ever. This place is always busy, be prepared to wait. The service is fast and staff are friendly. A lot of dining space, nothing fancy but clean, bathrooms are clean too.More

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank Pepes, Owner at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, responded to this reviewResponded September 25, 2023

We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our pizza and found our service fast and friendly. We understand that waiting can sometimes be a part of the experience, and we appreciate your patience. Cleanliness is a top priority for us, so we're glad you noticed...More

Reviewed September 15, 2023 via mobile

Wow! A must-visit pizza restaurant if you want an authentic pizza, in a lively atmosphere, at great value, with an excellent menu. Great for carry-out and sit-in (best to book). Good beers. Helpful service. In New Haven’s “Little Italy”. Don’t miss out!

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank Pepes, Owner at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, responded to this reviewResponded September 17, 2023

We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our pizza and lively atmosphere! It's great to know that you found our menu excellent and our service helpful. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to serving you again soon. Thank you for your kind words!

Reviewed August 26, 2023

4 of us came here for lunch to celebrate a birthday There was a long line and we were asked if we would go their other building which we did We had excellent friendly service and ordered 3 different pizzas They were just OK Because...not being brick oven I don't knowMore

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank Pepes, Owner at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, responded to this reviewResponded August 30, 2023

We appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear that you enjoyed our friendly service. We're sorry to hear that our pizzas didn't quite meet your expectations. We strive to provide the best quality food and your comments will help us improve. Thank you for...More

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Questions & Answers
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Guide18163597788
December 9, 2018|
AnswerShow all 11 answers
Response from Departure116738 | Reviewed this property |
Please check the website for hours of operation. My guess is they’re not open at lunchtime. As far as the wait, I can only guess. Keep in mind that Pepe’s now has restaurants in Manchester, Fairfield, Danbury, West Hartford... More
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Joe G
February 17, 2018|
AnswerShow all 4 answers
Response from Nikkismom1 | Reviewed this property |
No but it’s still worth the wait!
1
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CJIMI
November 16, 2016|
AnswerShow all 10 answers
Response from dbrown46 | Reviewed this property |
We were driven by friends but my sense was that you may want to take Uber or a cab since some of the nearby area seemed very deserted.
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FRANK PEPE PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA, New Haven - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana

Yes, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana offers takeout services.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travelers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4