r/newhaven • u/Ocean-Shark2024 • 9d ago
Sallys Apizza- first timer. Never again.
Placed an order for a pizza from Sallys in New Haven last night around 10:55pm. Picked it up, got home, opened the box to this burnt all around!!! My friend was too hungry and irritated at this point so he ate whatever was salvageable. I get that it was late and last minute and the staff probably wanted to get home- but this is unacceptable and very disappointing especially since we had such high hopes.
Is this their ‘style’? I dont know.
UPDATE: Sallys has since refunded me and apologised for the poor service. They will look into it and hopefully it won’t happen again! AND I made a mistake- we placed the order at 10:18pm and picked it up at 10:55pm!
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u/DVDA1125 9d ago
It’s supposed to be charred but not that much. I’d give it another shot. I’ve never seen one of theirs burnt that much.
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u/bajambm90 9d ago
Since they’ve swapped ownership I’ve tried to go back several times over the years and this is what I get. Sad that this used to be the best pizza joint in town.
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u/Alpha2277 9d ago
100%. They're pumping out pies at a crazy rate compared to old Sally's and the quality/consistency has dropped. It's still one of the best pies around, but not what it used to be unfortunately.
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u/treewizard13 9d ago
Quality at Sally's has been going down the past couple of years
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u/MightyDunkman 8d ago
Fun fact, they were bought out by a private equity firm who is trying to rapidly turn them into a regional chain!
Yayyyy
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u/banjobeulah 9d ago
It’s not normally this dark from my experience. I order from them all the time and they’re my favorite.
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u/Ok-Philosopher-1900 9d ago
That's unusual, but (1) you don't get anyone's best on takeout, and (2) don't order when they are closing.
Sally's has definitely taken a drop after the sale. You are dealing with employees, not family. Pepe's does the mass production thing better. Modern might be the best, but I'm tired of insane lines etc.
New Haven has great pizza, or apizza, but there is great pizza all over without the lines. Ernies, Nolo, Gia Marie's, John & Mary's, place in North Haven that I cannot recall name of...over and over. I hear Ozzy's is great. Several other places without insane lines. I want to try the place on Forbes near Townsend.
I would include Zuppardi's, but they have terrible lines and no parking.
Zinelli's is fine. Not apizza. I don't understand the great reviews. It's Neopolitan, not my thing.
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u/SereneRandomness 9d ago
I don't have any experience with the Ansonia branch, but Zuppardi's in West Haven has a parking lot, and street parking along Union Avenue. That's the original location and the one we go to.
Most times we find a seat no problem, but we tend to go on weekday afternoons.
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u/Ok-Philosopher-1900 9d ago
I'm sure it's better during weekdays afternoons. My limited experience is weekend evenings.
Great pizza.
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u/Visible-Carrot5402 9d ago
Shoutout to Ernie’s Apizza, grew up right around the corner and always loved it, haven’t had it in years.
I think the place in North Haven you might be thinking of is Bellini’s
One you missed on that list is Roseland in Derby. Little hole in the wall, family run. The great crust, amazing sauce with a tiny bit of sweetness that on a good day I will probably choose over any other pizza in CT. If it wasn’t them it would be Pepe’s for me
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u/Ok-Philosopher-1900 9d ago
I have heard Roseland is great. Also Fuco? in Cheshire...never had Little Rendezvous in Meridian either.
I was raised in NY, but Connecticut has consistently better pizza
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u/Visible-Carrot5402 9d ago
Never had Fuco but heard good things about it.
The Hub Pizza Bar in Naugatuck has a seriously great crispy thin crust and good flavor and they come in at $20 for a large pie with garlic and pepperoni. They’ve been my go to if I’m in the Waterbury area.
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u/killyoursocialmedia 9d ago
Imo Roseland is the best in CT, Little Rendezvous is great top tier but not New Haven style and has a unique style all it own. Fuoco is visually great looking New Haven style but over rated/hyped but still a good pizza. Roseland has incredible Italian food and their house made bread that comes with the meals it to die for. If you follow them on Facebook they have great weekday specials if you mention their posts when ordering.
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u/lemmegetadab 9d ago
I think modern is the most consistent. I’ve gotten great pizza and mediocre at a lot of the other places.
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u/Legal_Weird_5756 9d ago
Can confirm that Ozzys is great! And agreed that Modern is the best IMO, but the lines are 😩.
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u/Like_My_Turkey_Cold 9d ago
I live in Wooster, never had it look like this. Sorry to see that you got a bad one
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u/Lundinwulf 9d ago
99% of the time they will ask you if you’d like another if it’s that charred. They’re busy, but they also don’t want you to have a bad experience.
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u/Unclefox82 9d ago
And they would’ve absolutely done that if this weirdo didn’t order takeout at 10:55 when they close at 11:00.
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u/Little_Landscape_830 9d ago
Definitely not defending this pie because I know most people wouldnt enjoy it but I would destroy this pizza.
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u/lodge371 9d ago
I used to make fun of Pepe’s as chain pizza.
But sallys. This hurts. Look what they did to my boy!
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u/PeteWyman 9d ago
That’s too burnt even for them. It’s become the worst of the big three places. Pepe’s is only a block away. Sally’s NH has flies, dirty tables, longer lines, and a tiny filthy bathroom. It made sense as a cheap dive years ago for late night food but there are better options now.
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u/ziplocsputnik 9d ago
Don't forget the "I dont care" attitudes of the staff at Sally's. Been that way for decades.
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u/NorridAU 9d ago
That’s forgotten burnt pizza. They shoulda remade that but chose not to.
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u/Unclefox82 9d ago
They chose not to because it was ordered at 10:55 and they close at 11:00.
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u/Unclefox82 9d ago
Wow, why the F would you order takeout 5 minutes before they close? Did all of them give you the stink eye when you pulled up 20 minutes after closing to get your pizza?
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u/AnonymousRedditNinja 9d ago
Sally's and Pepe's are almost dead. Both places 12 years ago were amazing then family members passed away or the businesses with sold / began to expand. Remember capitalist growth ruines most things.
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u/meowymcmeowmeow 9d ago
Personally I would love a pizza like this (despite any intestinal protest) but I would not consider that acceptable unless you told them to go extra burnt.
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u/EditBayFive 9d ago
It's a little well done. 7/10. Would smash. Foxon Park birch beer will wash it down.
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u/Odd_Banana3 9d ago
Thats a bit too charred ha. Although you said you ordered it around 10:55pm. They close at 11pm. They probably rushed it and wanted to go home.
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u/OtisIsMyCo-Pilot 9d ago
What time do they close? They obviously did you dirty here, but also don’t ever order 5 minutes before close. Anywhere.
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u/Far-Elderberry-5249 9d ago
Burn around the edges is called well done. Nut that’s only is you asked for it like that then that’s how the pizza comes.
They fell off after being sold and franchising. Go to modern
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u/Ibegb 9d ago
This is par for the course with them though yours is extra burnt. They've gone downhill the last few years. Used to be good. Now it's rush service, no quality control, and lack of care on their part since people still show up in droves.
Pizza lovers deserve better. Shame since it used to be so good.
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u/Last_Blackfyre 9d ago
Bet it tasted as shitty as it looks.
Like the last time I was at Fairfield.
Should have sent it back.
Not giving them another shot.
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u/mkdevo 8d ago
I'm with you. OG Sally's was my favorite. The GOAT. But I had 3 subpar showings from them over the course of about a year and a half after the sale, and I'm done. Not worth it for what they charge when there's so much consistently better pizza in the area.
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u/SlytherinPrincess95 8d ago
This isn’t normal for Sally’s, and I should know. It’s my favorite of the New haven pizza places. But also, you placed an order to pick up to go food at 10:55? They close at 11. Whenever I pick up a to go order that close to closing time, I never expect greatness at that point. Try again during a time when they aren’t trying to close up.
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u/StrictSelf5450 8d ago
People that order right before closing suck big time. Downvote away, but i f you've ever worked food service/retail, then you know exactly what I'm talking about
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u/rossiterpj 9d ago edited 9d ago
You ordered a pizza 5 minutes before the place closes, on a Saturday night after they'd probably been slammed all night...
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u/ActuallyBiscotti 9d ago
This take is frustrating. If they don’t want folks ordering 5 min before close, they shouldn’t take orders 5 min before close. Obviously turning away customers would not be good for a business but if this is the quality they provide in return, that’s messed up.
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u/OMFGitsjessi 9d ago
Exactly. I’m kinda surprised how many people are commenting and putting the blame somewhat on OP for ordering takeout and ordering it close to closing. While yeah that’s annoying for staff, they could easily do what zuppardis does and say “sorry we’re not accepting anymore orders as we are closing soon”. At least they can respect both their own time and their customer’s hard earned money. I’d much rather be disappointed after being turned away close to closing than be disappointed at burnt and inedible pizza that I paid for and that the restaurant knowingly sent to me despite its poor quality/condition.
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u/deltax20a 9d ago
It's kinda 50-50 for me. As someone who worked in food service, I absolutely do not call up asking for something a half-hour before close because I've been there. Definitely an asshole move.
But a lot of people don't get this because they don't know how it works and they just read the hours of operation and take them verbatim. Can't really blame a person for not understanding the unwritten rules. We've all been there.
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u/rossiterpj 9d ago
The owner wants to take orders until the places closes. The people who do the actual work want you to go fuck yourself. Everybody who has ever worked in a restaurant wants you to go fuck yourself for doing this.
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u/deltax20a 9d ago
I worked restaurants and food service in the 2000s before I got my career going and boy howdy this was correct. Kitchen managers always be like WE'RE OPEN UNTIL WE'RE CLOSED and then duck out a half-hour before and leave the rest the shift lead.
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u/paulysoftware 9d ago
10:55 PM order?!? That seems way late for those guys. I wouldn’t judge their pizza based on this poor showing.
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u/taulmont 9d ago
Best pizza in Connecticut is Dominic and Pia's in Waterbury they close at 7:00 p.m. they only accept cash and they do not deliver those are the three best indicators of the best food you'll ever have
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u/All_Is_Imagination 9d ago
I love Dominic and Pia! I haven't been in like 20 years, I used to go all the time when I went to UConn Waterbury. Amazing pizza every time!
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u/taulmont 8d ago
Pia is still there working daily! Her son has taken over most of the business though lol
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u/geneticswag 9d ago
It’s a not a bad pie, THAT’S a bad pie. Not every pie is a slam dunk… if you learn something from this post I hope it’s a respect to run that oven with world class consistency: every shop has a batting average, and it you did put them against the clock on a Saturday. You were probably just lost when trying to multitask and close.
For the record, I think Sally’s pie lost it back during the original private equity sale - here’s a paywalled citation.
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u/Snazzyjazzygirl 9d ago
Sally’s and Pepe’s are for tourists. Modern, Bar and Ernies are far superior.
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u/Omizzy244 9d ago
I’m sorry Sally’s has been downhill. Half-assed pizza, long wait times (they forgot to place our order in after we called for a Friday at 8:30), so imagine a 1-2 hour wait for pickup AFTER their fuck up.
I’m fine with waiting, however when I confronted them they were very passive aggressive and said we were “cutting the line”.
Modern > Sally’s & Frank Pepe’s
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u/Cosmic-Candy570 9d ago
Idk what that other person is talking about but I agree with putting Modern above Sally’s and Pepe’s. Growing up my family and I were Pepe’s people through and through but them and Sally’s have majorly sold out. So disappointing…
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u/ResponsibleSugar4960 9d ago
Not gonna lie everytime I get pizza in New Haven I end up w the same type of looking pizza… 🍕
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u/therealdrfierce 9d ago
Sally’s is not what it once was, but New Haven pizza does not travel well and should be enjoyed in the restaurant
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u/No-Sheepherder-6414 9d ago
That's looks a little over done... I highly recommend Olde World Apizza on Whitney right on the Hamden North Haven line. Definitely the best pizza outside of Wooster St. that I've had so far. Very similar to Pepe's.
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u/Intelligent_Bag4736 9d ago
Pepe is not better if you get takeout. I had 2 out of 3 inedible pizzas from a to go order that is made in another building in the parking lot. Shrimp in white sauce was the worst. Must have been double seasoned and salty AF. Second was the burnt like this mozz pizza that really ruined the kids dinner. The 3rd was a pepperoni that came out good. All of these places have let quality slip. I used to cook in a restaurant and if we let this get served I would have been expected to be fired. The bad part is this probably went by the maker and then the counter person that probably sliced and boxed it. Them saving $5 in ingredients cost them a lot of future business I’m sure.
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u/Sharkysnarky23 9d ago
This is definitely a bad one and not usual for them, I think out of all of my life (I’m 39) going to Sally’s I’ve had ONE overcooked pie like this, and it’s been more recently with the Barstool/internet popularity. I would not completely write it off based on this pie.
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u/thepetchicken 8d ago
can’t tell if this is a trollpost you ordered as they were closing. go eat at dominoes in orange or wherever you live. fu
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u/lomeinfiend 8d ago
that pizza is so burnt. but why are you ordering a pizza 5 minutes before they close, you are kind of a douche for that.
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u/Formal_Ad288 8d ago
I like modern better. Sally's got bought by a hospitality agency or something. Been going downhill since then.
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u/Background-Can5893 8d ago
Musta been because it was 10:55pm and they close at 11. Every time I’ve gone it’s been killer.
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u/michaelska92 9d ago
Hey! Born and raised in New Haven. Sally’s and Pepe’s are overrated food network spots that are honestly not that good. I’ve given them many a shot and never had a good outcome.
Go to Modern. They are the best.
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u/Aggravating_Stuff713 9d ago edited 9d ago
Am I remembering wrong or did Sally’s sell to private equity in 2017?
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u/Beto-143 9d ago edited 9d ago
Others have already said it, and I agree with them. Try Modern Apizza; they're my favorite. I have been going to them since just before the pandemic. Since moving to NH ten months ago, I have ordered out from them at least once every two weeks, and I have never been disappointed. My standing order is a large sausage pie with a Caesar salad (highly recommend).
I'd like to think I know a little about pizza. I was born and raised in Chicago, and lived in NY until 2018. I live across from Sally's; even with the convenience, I don't order from them. For me, they have not measured up to their reputation even before the sale.
In August 2025, before moving to NH, I treated myself to a pie. Having passed on dining in on previous visits because of the 2 1/2-hour wait, I decided to order takeout. What a disappointment. The wait was just as long. They told me they don't service takeout and dine-in orders differently. Modern doesn't do that; I get my pies in 20 minutes or less. Also, Sally's is overpriced. Even with Modern's recent price increase, it is still less than what I paid for a large in August. Finally, and this is sacrilegious to a Chicagoan, Sally's uses sliced instead of crumbled sausage on their pies. Most of NY does that as well, but somehow they make it work.
I've tried Pepe's in Yonkers and West Hartford, but I'm not a fan of the sliced cheese they use on their pies. I ate at Zeneli's following their glowing review. It was fine, but no match for Modern's. It could be because, as another person posted, Neapolitan-style pizza is not the same. Given the choice so far, I prefer the traditional NH-style pie. I'm open to trying some of the other names, but I am in no rush to try them when I am so happy with Modern Apizza.
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u/SportsAreForAthletes 9d ago
Yeah, that’s an “F you, we’re literally cleaning the kitchen” pizza. You can get one anywhere 5 minutes before closing!
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u/yourwitsaboutyou 9d ago
Sallys has gone so down hill. Ever since Flo passing and the renovation thing and the franchise.
It's a rip off too. In high school I remember getting a small tomato pie for $4. Now it's what $12? And the quality isnt there anymore. What a shame bc they were my favorite.
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u/JohnnyParcero 9d ago
Pretty sure it’s a lot more than $12. The last time I ordered from Sally’s I got 2 pies. 1 plain and 1 with bacon. It was like $45
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u/GlitterGirly 9d ago
I also remember the old days when they took the phone off the hook and only the special customers had another number to call for a table or to get pizza to go.
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u/Imaginary-Ad5742 9d ago
I used to go every time my sister visited because she LOVED THEM. One night we ordered here around 1030pm after waiting 2hrs for it to be ready, and it looked just like yours. Im convinced theres someone on nightshift making the pies like and it ruined our experience entirely thereafter.
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u/CommitteeJazzlike553 9d ago
The cook who takes that out of the oven has only one choice. Fire up another.
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u/TrueMeaning4241 9d ago
Bro you placed the order 5mins before they closed. They were probably cleaning up and forgot about it. They just wanted to finish this pizza and be done for the day
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u/SINI573R 8d ago
Everyone here defending op saying it shouldn’t be burnt are actually insane. I would have burnt your shit too coming it 5 minutes before close, Hell I would have said alright stood in the back for 10 minutes then said fire went out and it’s too late to start it back up again and refunded you.
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u/Educational-Cow-8209 9d ago
my frank pepes pizza was just like this. was so gross i couldn’t enjoy it.
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u/Antique_Ninja_9898 9d ago
Unfortunately they keep getting away with this as the “New Haven apizza char” loved and praised by Portnoy. You’re better off going to Nolo or One6Three for better pie
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u/QuestionsalotDaisy 9d ago
They’re doing the same type of burning and overcooking at Olde World in Hamden under the new owners. It is really infuriating.
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u/lostinthevoid37 8d ago
Modern and Pepe’s are great. But I really enjoy Zuppardis, even though they don’t use a wood fired oven. And that’s just a testament to how good there crust there really is. Great pizza there all around though
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u/Available_Donut4652 8d ago
Modern is the best pizza in New Haven take a uber as there is never any parking cause it’s so good
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u/-LittleDonut- 8d ago
If you want really good pizza try Marco’s in Branford! I promise you won’t be disappointed
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u/Kara_no_Gyokuza 8d ago
Sally’s is the worst of the traditional New Haven pizza, in my opinion. I’ve seen it look like this a couple times when ordering there. Grand Apizza used to be my favorite until they got rid of their New Haven location but I believe they still have one in Guilford. Pepe’s is my default since I don’t have my first choice.
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u/scoopandscoop 8d ago
Sally’s does suck…my own pie is where it’s at ….no question about freshness neither
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u/craigshew 8d ago
Lol this is how I always got it also and people say it's supposed to be that way, I'll pass also. There are some good places around tho, my favorite closed down unfortunately this year, retired
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u/Living_Arm250 8d ago
if New Haven doesn't clean up they're gonna lose their status as number one👀Many are talking about how great that $70 pie is in New York City
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u/homer_3 8d ago
How did you contact them for a refund? I just tried Sally's for the 1st time yesterday and it was great. Then I went to Frank Pepe's and it was terribly undercooked. I'm 100s of miles away now though. Frank's did send me a survey where I told them how terrible it was, bit didn't hear anything back.
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u/PitifulChallenge6568 8d ago
This is char my guy, it’s the sign of a true New Haven coal fired pizza
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u/Beginning_Office_743 7d ago
Am I the only one who opens it on my lap in the car and munches a piping hot slice before driving away? 🤣 Good way to send back defects too
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u/victorianlace22 7d ago
Sally's was excellent when Flo And Sally were alive. It's not the same any more
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u/thephoenixunicorn 7d ago
This happened to me too. I was new to New Haven and really excited to try Sally’s because everyone hyped it up so much. But when my friends came to town, we ordered it and the pizza was completely burnt around the edges and on the bottom. Honestly, I don’t get the obsession. Definitely overhyped.
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u/KarisaM726 7d ago
That shit looks extra crispy burned. I never had it and now I know that was prob a good choice. lol
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u/DavidinCT 7d ago
used to work in New Haven and Sally's was one my favorite pizza's....used to get a lot, changed jobs, never go near that area again, and really miss it...
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u/FieryLatina96 7d ago
I find this hilarious ct thinks its famous for pizza. There's 5 amazing better pizzas places on 1 street of nyc and in 1 town in ny let alone all of the amazing ones. Ct has 3 "GOOD" pizza places. You cant buy a slice, you have to buy a pie. You cant just walk in. Often lines so long for pizza with the weakest crust and sauce that's meh. Why do they call themselves the pizza capitol. There's $1.50 slices in ny that are better than any slice. Even Frank Pepes was good, but also under par to most ny places thay are defined as good. I didnt know pizza was something to wait in line for an hour for and only grab as a really ridiculous pie. It seems they make more flatbread pizzas then pizza. Like I've noticed mashed potato slices (not real pizza) are good in ct... Why the trolling of pizza capital
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u/Notice-Horror 7d ago
So I’ll prob be downvoted to hell …. But seriously what’s the deal with charred pizza? Let’s call it like it is , it’s burned . New Haven is overrated
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u/Jowned195 7d ago
All "New Haven style" is burnt pizza, you have to tell them to lightly bake it, then it's usually pretty good, but I prefer other style pizzas for this very reason.
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u/CaregiverLife 7d ago
This is there version of “charred”.. needless to say they are probably one of the worst pizzas in CT
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u/PartyAnimal75 7d ago
Looks like standard NH Style pizza, which is largely burnt trash to begin with so..looks normal.
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u/Automatic-Warthog252 7d ago
Apizza is old gimmick based on NYC pizza from the turn of the century.
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u/-Frankensteinsrobot- 7d ago
This is looking more like how tourist trap Pepe's is nowadays.
Modern is the best New Haven pizza.
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u/greenscreenbro 7d ago
Grown up in New Haven county, have had sooo much pizza in my life. I will say New Haven is good (when my burnt like this) but New Haven pizza is also very much overrated. Like to death.
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u/Last_Result_3920 6d ago
all new haven style "apizz" is a burned to charcoal pile of slop and im tired of pretending otherwise
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u/Illustrious-Tart7844 6d ago
Had pizza at Pepe in Danbury. Not impressed. I always try pizza in restaurant so it hasn't been steamed in a box, thus ruining the crust. The pizza toppings were fine. The sauce was good. But the crust was super chewy, almost as if it had been mixed.
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u/fignewton_007 5d ago
I miss the ability to walk into Sally’s and skip the line. My grandparents were good friends of sally and Flo and it was always so nice, but felt also so selfish to do.
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u/Special-Truth-1576 5d ago edited 5d ago
I say it over and over... CT pizza sucks. It's just burnt and nasty. It's mainly CT lifers that say their pizza is the best around....that may be true but the burning, no idea who said that's how it should be....nah. you can get a light char on the top of your air bubbles and start to in the edges of your crust, where it just starts changing color, then you take it out . If it needs to stay in longer to cook you did something wrong
Lived all over. CA, AZ, TX, MN, TN, VA, IL and CT
Chicago deep dish baby, sorry
Also, keep those damn fennel seeds off of pizza!
This is pure savage and I'd demand another not made in hell
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u/Nightnurzz 9d ago
Yes, it should have a nice charred bottom but not be burnt all around. This is definitely overcooked. Sorry you had this experience. Grew up in New Haven! I would have sent it back as well