best pizza in New England?

[Boston's Hidden Restaurants]

Any thoughts on this? There are some I keep hearing about that I haven't been to, such as Pepe's in New Haven. Out of the ones I've been to, I'd put these 5 at or near the top:

Santarpio's, East Boston, MA
Luna Pizza, West Hartford, CT
Lynwood Cafe, Randolph, MA
Sicilia's, Providence, RI
Pizzeria Regina (obviously), Boston, MA

-MH

Link: http://www.hiddenboston.com

[Frank]

No way does Luna serve the best pizza in CT. Pepe's, Sally's and Modern are all far superior. I would even include the First & Last as well Barb's and 10-15 other places ahead of Luna.

[Boston's Hidden Restaurants]

I just don't know that area very well. The pizza we had at Luna was excellent, but many people tell me to go to one of several pizza places on that block in New Haven. One of these days...

Link: http://www.hiddenboston.com

[plriddler]

Pepe's (my favorite of all the New Haven pizza spots) gets a lot of hype, but to me it's all worth it. It's by far the best pizza I've had in New England. I live in the area, so I'm not going to wait in line for two hours, but one isn't out of the question.

Modern is a close second, with Pizzeria Regina (the real one in the North End, not one of the chains) coming in third. Another good spot that might not be on a lot of people's radar is Joe's Cafe in Northampton.

[chilibug]

Joe's in Noho is unbelievably awesome.

[HungryChris]

New Haven is a little more than an hour drive from where I live. Frank Pepe's is open on weekends during the day, Sally's is not. For these reasons I have not tried Sally's, but have tried Pepe's. I have probably been there 10 times in the last two years and on 5 of those trips we were greeted with a sign that read 'No Clam Pies Today'. We have learned to cope. The pepper and mushroom pizza is my favorite, next to the clam and is worth the drive.
I have been to Modern and it was good (better than anything in the area I live in), but not as good as Pepe's. Once, when we arrived later than we planned and the line at Pepe's was just too dammed long, we went to Abbati's just a few doors down Wooster. It was about on the same par as Modern in my book.
If you are lucky enough to get to Pepe's on a day when they do have the clams, just don't look back...go for it! It is a pie best enjoyed hot, hot, hot from the oven. Once it cools down, it is another experience altogether and not quite so good.
Put a Pepe's hot clam pie in front of me with a diet Birch Beer from Foxon Park and watch my eyes roll back into my head as I go to another level altogether!
Cheers,
HC

[Fred]

Religion or politics would probably be safer topics than the best pizza in New England...

[mels]

Luna in West Hartford, CT is nowhere near in the same league as New Haven area pizza joints. I was really surprised to see *that* as the Connecticut contender! My favorite is Modern Pizza on State Street, although I have nothing bad to say about Sally's or Pepe's, the other two New Haven favorites.

[jg]

I agree that New Haven has the best pizza around CT. I USED to like Modern Pizza, but then had a horrible experience -- there was a bug cooked in with our cheese. The worst part was their reaction when we went back -- they really couldn't have cared less, they even accused us of planting the bug!
Now my favorite is Dayton Street Pizza in Westville -- a lesser known joint than Pepe's or Sally's. Pepe's and Sally's are both great, but not worth the wait/rude service.

[Mike Devine]

The Clam Pie at Modern served with lemon on the side is over the top and the best you can get. I can't get into the Pepe's, Sally's, Lombardi's thing because all are a unique experience in their own right. Nuf said.

[Unjun Joe]

Hey, we're talking New England, here... What about Vermont Flatbread, in Waitsfield or Burlington? You can even get it frozen - just drizzle on a little olive oil, and YUM!

[Missykins]

I agree that Flatbread is great, and am soo impressed that the frozen tastes pretty darn close to the original, but it's like Frozen Yogurt is to Ice Cream, not a substitute but delicious as another food altogether.

I also have to give a HUGE thumbdowns with any restaurant that wants to serve huge heaping helpings of politics along with their food.

[Missykins]

I agree that Flatbread is great, and am soo impressed that the frozen tastes pretty darn close to the original, but it's like Frozen Yogurt is to Ice Cream, not a substitute but delicious as another food altogether.

I also have to give a HUGE thumbdowns with any restaurant that wants to serve huge heaping helpings of politics along with their food.

[Carl]

All of you have talked about some good pizza, but the hands down best pizza is in providence RI and its name is Caserta Pizzeria.

[Bob W.]

I second that.

[snl1129]

I third that!!! good wimpy skimpy's !

[tjd]

There is no pizza in Boston that should even be considered. Stick to the chowder, and let New York and New Haven do the pizza.

[marilyn]

We ate at Pepe's yesterday and loved it. Indifferent service-sure. Make you wait outside the air conditioning in the vestibule in 95 degree heat when they're celebrating their 80th anniversary-yes. For this New Yorker, one wonder is you can park for free anywhere. And then a door down is Libby's for ices and gelato at prices far under NY's. And they're very nice.
$25 for 3 of us for pizza, soda and ices

[mr breadpuddin]

The best pizza I've ever had in new england is at the east side cafe, a old 50s bar in Pittsfield ma. They only make pizza certain nights of the week, you can't even get a salad, but the pizza is fabulous.

[Bob Dobalina]

I've got you all beat - ;-)

The shrimp oreganato pizza at Roseland Pizza in Derby/Ansonia, CT is on a level of pizza that is so stupefyingly good that it makes me cry.

[Anne]

Giovanni's in Glastonbury, CT is a little whole in the wall that serves unbelievably tasty pizza...I know I know it's not New York or New Haven but that doesn't mean it doesn't taste good....

[Frug]

Usually overlooked because of it's location (Revere Beach near Kellys), Bianchi Pizza is definately in the top five Pizza places in Massachusetts.

[thenutmegger]

Pi Pizzeria on Nantucket...that margherita pizza hands down is the best I've ever had...the man has a serious passion for pizza, and you can taste it...