Just the word pizza can send some New Yorkers into a deep and lengthy debate. Because of this I have decided to wait until this blog is really going strong before taking on the huge task of finding the “best” pizza in town. Even then I’m not sure I can define what that truly means. If you ask ten people in the tri-state area who has the best pizza, you’ll likely get fifteen different answers. So today I’m just going to let you in on one of my favorite spots, that has amazing pizza. It’s been around since 1925 so they must be doing something right.
In 1925 Frank Pepe opened the original, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, in New Haven Connecticut. There he started making his “tomato pies” with the signature crispy charred crust from being cooked in a coal oven. To get the perfect pie the oven has to be around 600 degrees! Needless to say it gets pretty warm in that kitchen. The oven is such an important part of making the perfect pie that once Pepe’s decided to expand and create a few more restaurants they copied the original ovens right down to making a cast of the original doors. I visited the one in Yonkers at 1955 Central Park Ave, Yonkers, NY 10710. This restaurant has two 14 x 14 ft ovens and both of them are going full blast on the weekends. 14 x 14 is bigger than my first NYC apartment! They use around 300 pounds of coal daily to keep the temperature just right and it gives the crust its signature crispy char.
I know coal oven pizza isn’t for everyone,I’m not a huge fan of the really charred parts, but I love the nostalgia of it and one bite of a Pepe’s pizza might convert you. When you go remember the weekends get seriously crowded at meal times, so if you can go during the week you’ll have less of a wait. Their white clam pizza is very popular as is their original tomato pie, which is crushed tomatoes, olive oil and a little grated cheese. If you can go during the summer July- September, treat yourself to the “fresh tomato pie”, fresh native tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh garlic and basil. Simple and superb. They have the usual array of toppings and some really great salads as well. The “Original” large is 18 inches and will cost you $18.50.
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the box below or send me an email and I will get back to you promptly. If you go to Pepe’s please let me know how your experience was. Until next time, Boone Appétit!
