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1st Street Apizza

21 First St., Seymour, CT - (203) 888-3255
Posted By Michael Stern on 3/6/2009 12:29:00 PM
Intrigued by Ayersian's review of Dayton Street Apizza in New Haven, I detoured off Route 8 in Seymour to find its sister restaurant, First Street Apizza. It is a hole-in-the-wall storefront that appears primarily designed for take-out business. Seating consists of just three tables and a short counter at the front window. The menu is huge, not only all kinds of pizza but subs and sandwiches, stuffed breads and calzones, soups and salads and pasta.

With time and appetite for only one item, I chose the New Haven classic, clam pizza. "White or red?" asked the girl at the order window. I chose white, which here means mozzarella but no red sauce. The clams are fresh, not canned, but to my taste, they seem to have been opened a while ago, being more chewy than juicy. Their flavor was fresh and sweet, but I missed the succulent nectar that drips from a just-opened one. Cheese is spread judiciously so as not to overwhelm the crust or clams and bits of raw garlic are strewn about in abundance. Lemon wedges are provided on the side, which do add a certain sparkle to the clams; but call me hidebound: I'm just not happy squeezing lemon juice on a pizza.

The crust is New Haven style, meaning Neapolitan: very thin with a puffy circumference, its underneath spangled with tasty debris from the oven floor. It is not as dense and chewy as what you'll find in New Haven on Wooster Street (and State Street); the lighter weight gives it a certain elegance that is very different from the soulful raunchiness of a pie at, say, Sally's.

When I return to 1st Street Apizza, high on the list of must-try items are the pizza margherita and any pasta dish featuring house-made sauce (which is sold by the jarful at the cash register).

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Scorecard

4 - Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Artie's Special
Broccoli Rabe Pizza
Foxon Park Soda
Fresh Clam Pizza
Sausage Pizza
Shrimp Pizza
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Reviewers Photos [Upload Your Photos]

Named for the customer who liked its combination of ingredients, the Artie's Special combines anchovies, garlic, onions, and grated hard cheese. Without mozzarella, it's rather elegant, albeit sledgehammer-strong.
"Named for the customer who liked its combination of ingredients, the Artie's Special combines anchovies, garlic, onions, and grated hard cheese. Without mozzarella, it's rather elegant, albeit sledgehammer-strong."
Michael Stern





The aftermath of an Artie's Special reveals just how clean and dry 1st Street pizzas are: no oil seepage whatsoever.
"The aftermath of an Artie's Special reveals just how clean and dry 1st Street pizzas are: no oil seepage whatsoever."
Michael Stern


Freshly-sauteed broccoli rabe adds delicious bitterness that brings out the sweetness of tomatoes and luxe of mozzarella cheese.
"Freshly-sauteed broccoli rabe adds delicious bitterness that brings out the sweetness of tomatoes and luxe of mozzarella cheese."
Michael Stern


The duo of fresh clams and garlic on a white clam pizza is an unbeatable combination. Mozzarella cheese adds a blanket of luxury.
"The duo of fresh clams and garlic on a white clam pizza is an unbeatable combination. Mozzarella cheese adds a blanket of luxury."
Michael Stern


The underside of the crust on a 1st Street Apizza pie is dotted with little bits of burnt semolina that add smoky punch to the taste of the dough.
"The underside of the crust on a 1st Street Apizza pie is dotted with little bits of burnt semolina that add smoky punch to the taste of the dough."
Michael Stern


The sausage on the sausage pie is locally made. It is mild-flavored, and a nice balance with mozzarella.
"The sausage on the sausage pie is locally made. It is mild-flavored, and a nice balance with mozzarella."
Michael Stern


At $17.95 for a 12-inch pie, jumbo shrimp pizza is the 2nd most expensive dish on the menu, exceeded only by shrimp casino pizza, at $19.95. It's really good, but I'm not sure it's that good!
"At $17.95 for a 12-inch pie, jumbo shrimp pizza is the 2nd most expensive dish on the menu, exceeded only by shrimp casino pizza, at $19.95. It's really good, but I'm not sure it's that good!"
Michael Stern


One whole cooler is devoted to locally-made Foxon Park beverages, including such recherche flavors as Iron Brew, White Birch, and Gasosa.
"One whole cooler is devoted to locally-made Foxon Park beverages, including such recherche flavors as Iron Brew, White Birch, and Gasosa."
Michael Stern


Before the pizza arrives, your table or counter spot will be arrayed with a plate, utensils, and pedestal for holding the pizza pan.
"Before the pizza arrives, your table or counter spot will be arrayed with a plate, utensils, and pedestal for holding the pizza pan."
Michael Stern


I couldn't see the pizza men at work because the view at the order window showed nothing but boxes ready to be filled for take-out orders. That's house-made sauce at the lower right of the photo. If your order is over $25, you get a jar of it for free.
"I couldn't see the pizza men at work because the view at the order window showed nothing but boxes ready to be filled for take-out orders. That's house-made sauce at the lower right of the photo. If your order is over $25, you get a jar of it for free."
Michael Stern


Although it seems out-of-the-way, 1st Street Apizza is in fact just a minute away from the exit ramp of Route 8.
"Although it seems out-of-the-way, 1st Street Apizza is in fact just a minute away from the exit ramp of Route 8."
Michael Stern



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