Zuppardi's Apizza - West Haven, CT

Posted By Stephen Rushmore on May 28, 2010 10:34 AM

The Zuppardi family has been making New Haven style pizza in the residential neighborhood of West Haven for three generations. The white clam pizza has become a signature dish in New Haven, but surprisingly Zuppardi’s Apizza downplays their addictive pie.

Don’t start thinking about driving to Zuppardi’s until you call ahead and order a “FRESH” white clam pizza. We emphasize “fresh” since they will assume you want the mediocre canned variety which is like comparing Chef Boyardee to fresh pasta. Just like a fresh seafood shack that receives deliveries from local fisherman, the fresh white clam pizza is “market priced.” At least two dozen little necks are shucked immediately after your order is placed to ensure maximum freshness. It is a time-consuming process, so call 15-20 minutes before your ETA to prevent excessive thumb spinning.

When the moment arrives, a piping hot white clam pizza topped with fresh garlic, grated Romano, olive oil and sprinkle of parsley will be placed on your table. The edge of the crust is thick and crunchy, resembling the texture of freshly cooked baguette. The underside, which had less char than other New Haven pizzerias, was crispy and held firm during lift-off. The clams were sweet, tender and moist, and could be independently satisfying as an appetizer. The complete package makes Zuppardi’s Apizza fresh white clam pizza one of the best in world.

To wash down your meal, consider the locally produced Foxon Park soda. We gravitate towards the birch or root beer which is made with real sugar, instead of corn syrup found in the mass-produced beverage companies. For dessert, be sure to try the locally made Italian ices.

Lastly, Zuppardi’s has a freezer of single-serving frozen pies to enjoy at home. What a great idea! It is a far superior option to preservative-laden options found at the supermarket.

Overall Rating

Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza

Sausage pie

Fresh Clam Pie

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Posted By Dov Cole on February 11, 2011 7:05 PM

Stopped by today & picked up a special (sausage, mozz & mushroom), very good, even though it was cold by the time I got home. We also got the anti-pasto salad on focaccia bread, it was very cute, but a little hard to figure out how to pick up loaded slices & ended up getting the salad first & putting the bread on the side. It would have been better if we could have picked it up in one piece. It tasted good. The dressing supplied is a bit sweet though. Put your own on or ask for an alternative. The quality of all ingredients seems to be top-notch & the staff is friendly.

Overall Rating

Sausage & Mushroom Pizza

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Posted By Mark Kaupe on October 31, 2010 9:42 AM

Zuppardi's is a little place that has been doing what it does best while the area grew around it. You cannot find them on a main street; you'll have to drive around the blocks of homes in the town of West Haven but, that said, they are easy to find. This typical Connecticut storefront operation isn't just a business but a neighbor. There are a few tables and a TV in the corner. Pizza boxes are stacked in anticipation of the pies that will be sold later that evening.

Like the "Big Three" in New Haven, Zuppardi's has been in business since the 30s. They produce a pie of the same quality as those guys too. What is unique is that their pie is produced in a typical pizza oven, without coal or wood.

The bottom is crisply scorched on the bottom, with a dark edge around the side. I had their house-made sausage, which is wonderful with its specks of fennel and pepper. Unlike their competition, Zuppardi's offers a few more topping choices for their pies, including eggplant, broccoli rabe, and even pineapple. I do not believe that pineapple can be found on Wooster Street pies, though some purists will insist that they shouldn't.

Zuppardi's has another business where they produce a prodigious amount of pies daily for the local bars in the area. Over in the corner is a freezer full of these pre-made pies, along with other meal items. It is very rare for this suggestion to be made on Roadfood.com, but I recommend that you bring an ice chest along for dinner so you can take back some pies.

West Haven is considered a lesser family member and you may decide to eat in New Haven. You shouldn't, as this is a very cool little area with other restaurants, big and small, that deserve recognition. There are diners, and clam shacks on the beach of Long Island Sound, and much more.

Overall Rating

Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza

Frozen to-Go Pizza

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Posted By Nick Perna on February 20, 2009 2:28 PM

Zuppardi's is at least as good as, if not better than, the big name apizza places in New Haven, without the long lines. Actually, I think it is the best in the state.

I'm addicted to the sausage pizza, which has liberal amounts of sweet homemade sausage with fennel seed. The crust tastes like homemade bread and is nicely burned along the edges. I've not tried the frozen take-home version, but leftover pie reheats nicely on a pizza stone in the oven.

Service is friendly, even on busy nights. Atmosphere is far from elegant, even with the recent makeover that includes new Formica and a McDonald's tile floor. Pizza, salad, and antipasto (that's the entire menu) are served on paper plates. If you want some elegance, go someplace else, but I guarantee the pizza won't be nearly as good.

Overall Rating

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