all the way to new haven for pizza?

Why yes, of course! A few days ago the gf and I took a relatively short drive up the I-95 to New Haven, home of a few famous pizzerias, including Frank Pepe's, which we were lucky enough to experience. Fantastic pizza, I must say. Previously not being a huge fan of these old world style, coal oven pizzas like at Lombardis or Grimaldis, I didn't have my hopes up.
No missing this place. Apparently they've been using the same oven this entire time, since 1925 as you can see. The place was packed on a Monday afternoon at 2pm. This says quite a great deal in itself.

We ordered 2 pies. (they come in small medium large, 1 medium or 2 smalls is definitely enough to sate 2 with a standard appetite. of course we ordered 2 mediums, which is kind of like ordering 2 regular large pies at any standard NY pizza place)

Anyways, this is the original w/ mozzarella. If you order w/out, it's just sauce and some parmesan. The irregular oblong shape really helps to give this a gourmet, homemade feel. Nice blistering on the cheese and crust.
Looks amazing, doesn't it? It tasted amazing too. The sauce was super fresh and cut through the cheese and coal charred crust. The parmesan mixed in w/ the mozz was a welcome addition, as it added the right amount of saltiness.

The crust was chewy and salty, overall great. My only gripe would be that, and as with all coal oven pizzas, there are some parts that are just unedible, overly charred and burnt.
Frank Pepe's is really known for their white clam pie. DEFINITELY did not disappoint. You can order any of these pies with all the standard toppings one is accustomed to, but this was about the clam and the garlic, nothing more nothing less. The group a table over ordered the same pie with bacon as well, which I'm sure is delicious, but we couldn't order that on the first go around!

Amazing. Fresh fresh chunks of clam in a garlicky, somewhat creamy white 'sauce' that is not very prevalent on the finished pie, but lends flavor nonetheless. There are some roasted garlic chunks spread throughout as well.
You don't love food if you're not salivating at this pic.
Washed down w/ some refreshing root beer. These pies are on the greasy side, so some carbonation is certainly needed. If you ever find yourself in Connecticut or New Haven, definitely check it out. And get a pie to go post meal. You won't regret it.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
157 Wooster Street
New Haven, CT