Connecticut is the most recent juggernaut in the argument of which state makes the best pizza. From New York to Chicago, recent buzz has shifted in favor of New Haven pizza. The distinct style of pies from New Haven has been receiving an unprecedented amount of fanfare for their thin crust and charred edges.
Connecticut even declared itself “the pizza capital of the United States” on a billboard sign that went up earlier this year on I-95 and I-84 at the state’s borders with New York. They read “Welcome to Connecticut, home of the pizza capital of the United States,” according to a press release from the Connecticut Senate Democrats.
Bold move, but okay. Which Connecticut pizza is the best?
One of the more notable sites for authentic New Haven style pizza, Sally’s Apizza, has opened up a location that’s less than a 20-minute drive from CT State Manchester in its effort to spread beyond its founding city of New Haven.
The new Sally’s Apizza on 1178 Silas Deane Highway in Wethersfield officially started seating pizza lovers on Aug. 21, according to NBC Connecticut. It is one of several locations the company is planning to open in the next few months, including Rocky Hill, Newington and South Windsor, according to CT Insider.
A group of Manchester students did a taste test of some of Sally’s signature pies on Sept. 27.
Taste testers included, in the photo below, from left, Alex Sawtelle, who is a culinary arts major and bread aficionado, Rachel Bihlmeyer, center, and Layla Brown. Not pictured but also joining the taste test are student Pearl Brites, who used to make pizzas at Whole Foods, and student Nico Arroyo, who recorded and edited the video below.
“Sally’s was founded in 1938, Connecticut is known for their pizza, but Sally’s has definitely made an impact with that,” said our server, Tasha, who declined to give her last name. “We are known for our New Haven style pizza, so that consists of thin pizza . . . our main ingredient is sauce, and we are light on the cheese. The pizza is going to have a char on it and that is due to being cooked in a coal-fired oven.”
And charred it was! The three pies enjoyed by the taste testers were a satisfactory mix of burnished edges and delicious sauce. We sampled a fresh tomato pie, a traditional pie with sauce and mozzarella, half with pepperoni, and the original, a pie with just Sally’s famous sauce and a sprinkling of parmesan.
For a party of six, one appetizer, three 12 inch pizzas, soft drinks and tax the bill was $80 and some change.
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This sign with Connecticut’s humble brag went up this summer along the state’s New York borders. Photo courtesy of Connecticut Senate Democrats.
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Five CT State Manchester students visited the new Sally’s Apizza location in Wethersfield in September.
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The coal fired oven used at Sally’s Apizza in Wethersfield gives their pies that signature char.
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The Garlic Bread starter is sliced into six pieces and comes with marinara and pesto parmesan dipping sauces for $9.75.
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The 12 inch tomato sauce pie, half with pepperoni, was $19.75.
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The cost of a 12 inch sauce and mozzarella pie was $17.25.
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Student Pearl Brites enjoys the Fresh Tomato pie, one of Sally’s specialty apizzas with mozzarella, thinly sliced fresh tomatoes, basil and lots of garlic. It was $17.50 for a 12 inch pie.
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The sauce-only pie is part of Sally’s rich history, said Tasha, which is derived from a custom of the 1930s when wives would bring bread with sauce on it to their husbands at their factory jobs for lunch.
In addition to pizza, the Wethersfield location also offers a variety of appetizers – we tried the garlic bread – several pasta dishes and a full bar.
They also take reservations, which you may want to make because the place is busy!
The new Sally’s Apizza in Wethersfield is undoubtedly overflowing with stories and offers an environment fit for your next family dinner.
For more information visit https://sallysapizza.com/locations/wethersfield/.
