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Dayton Street Apizza

60 Dayton Street, New Haven, CT - (203) 389-2454
Posted By Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch on 10/23/2008 4:18:00 PM
Some consider the New Haven apizza rivalry to be extremely competitive, whereas others see no opposition and cite the Big Three—Frank Pepe’s, Sally’s, and Modern—as the best, no contest. The lucky neighbors of Dayton Street Apizza need only stroll down the street to indulge in one of the Elm City’s finest apizza traditions. Located off Whalley Avenue near West Rock, Dayton Street has been wowing apizza fans for just over a decade.

Thin, chewy crust with fresh toppings arranged conservatively and baked to well-done perfection: this is the crux of good apizza, and Dayton Street follows the rules. Like Pepe’s, they use only fresh clams for their white clam pie. They even serve it with lemon wedges, a tart touch from Modern’s model. For the red pies, their homemade sauce and quality mozzarella are noteworthy. The outstanding, all-natural sausage is locally made by Lamberti of New Haven, which is also sold by grocers in and around the city.

Their Italian dishes are popular enough to sell jars of their own Bobo’s Pasta Sauce, which are available free with every $25 purchase. Three flavors include marinara, vodka, and spicy puttanesca. Stuffed breads, calzones, homemade pasta fagioli, salads, hot subs, wings, and a complete selection of locally bottled Foxon Park sodas round out the extensive menu. Dayton Street also runs a sister restaurant, First Street Apizza in Seymour, CT.

But is it better than the Big Three? The chefs at Dayton Street don’t worry themselves with such trifles. Quality apizza is their business, and business is very, very good.

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Scorecard

3 - Overall: Excellent - Worth a Detour
Overall: Excellent - Worth a Detour
Sausage Pie
White Clam Pie
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While Dayton Street will make you a clam pizza the traditional Wooster Street way -- with no mozzarella, the standard configuration does include a modest amount of cheese. But not so much that the briny flavor of clams is in any way smothered.
"While Dayton Street will make you a clam pizza the traditional Wooster Street way -- with no mozzarella, the standard configuration does include a modest amount of cheese. But not so much that the briny flavor of clams is in any way smothered."
Michael Stern





I love the chicken parm sub, but the man behind the counter said I hadn't tasted anything until I had Dayton Street's steak and cheese sub. Next visit, I will!
"I love the chicken parm sub, but the man behind the counter said I hadn't tasted anything until I had Dayton Street's steak and cheese sub. Next visit, I will!"
Michael Stern


Iron Brew, inspired by Scotland's 'other national drink' (after Scotch), is a curious combo of cream soda, cola, and root beer flavors with a slight citrus note.
"Iron Brew, inspired by Scotland's 'other national drink' (after Scotch), is a curious combo of cream soda, cola, and root beer flavors with a slight citrus note."
Michael Stern


Magnificent sausage is this pizza's greatest asset.
"Magnificent sausage is this pizza's greatest asset."
Michael Stern


This cooler boasts nearly every flavor of East Haven’s Foxon Park soda, including the elusive Iron Brew, a cream soda/root beer mix.
"This cooler boasts nearly every flavor of East Haven’s Foxon Park soda, including the elusive Iron Brew, a cream soda/root beer mix."
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch


The abundance of cheese on a white clam pie enhances the briny chewiness of the fresh clams.
"The abundance of cheese on a white clam pie enhances the briny chewiness of the fresh clams."
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch


The balance of sausage, sauce, and mutz (mozzarella) is perfect on this Dayton Street pie. I only wish the crust was more flavorful.
"The balance of sausage, sauce, and mutz (mozzarella) is perfect on this Dayton Street pie. I only wish the crust was more flavorful."
Michael Stern


Dayton Street is a true neighborhood apizza shop, just off Whalley Avenue.
"Dayton Street is a true neighborhood apizza shop, just off Whalley Avenue."
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch


The fennel undertones of Lamberti’s sausage accent the wonderful tomato sauce on the sausage pie.
"The fennel undertones of Lamberti’s sausage accent the wonderful tomato sauce on the sausage pie."
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch


These jars of Dayton Street’s house pasta sauce will find loving homes very soon.
"These jars of Dayton Street’s house pasta sauce will find loving homes very soon."
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch


Their stunning apizza selection includes broccoli rabe, clams casino, and the Cousin Artie (grated cheese, anchovies, onion, garlic). Click on the photo for a more readable view.
"Their stunning apizza selection includes broccoli rabe, clams casino, and the Cousin Artie (grated cheese, anchovies, onion, garlic). Click on the photo for a more readable view."
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch


Q: What distinguishes a modern New Haven-style clam pizza from a vintage one? A: Lemon wedges.
"Q: What distinguishes a modern New Haven-style clam pizza from a vintage one? A: Lemon wedges."
Michael Stern


There's not a lot of visual charm to this brick building just off the main road, but inside that front door, delights await.
"There's not a lot of visual charm to this brick building just off the main road, but inside that front door, delights await."
Michael Stern


Homemade? I don't know of too many homes that make pizza this good.
"Homemade? I don't know of too many homes that make pizza this good."
Michael Stern


The view from Dayton Street Apizza's dining room is of the package store across the street.
"The view from Dayton Street Apizza's dining room is of the package store across the street."
Michael Stern



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