Connecticut’s reputation as a pizza state rests firmly in New Haven, where Pepe’s, Sally’s and Modern play out a long rivalry. New Haven pizza’s roots are Italian immigrants who arrived in the early 1900s. Today, New Haven-style thin-crust pizzas are being blistered in ovens ovens all over Fairfield County.

Pepe’s opened its first outpost in Fairfield more than 10 years ago, and it still can’t shake mutterings “It’s not as good as New Haven,” because how can an old seasoned oven compete with one that’s been firing only a dozen years?  (Take that, futurists and technocrats!)

Photo courtesy of Tom McGovern

I have enjoyed pizzas at Pepe’s in Fairfield. We met friends who were driving back to New Jersey from a Connecticut casino. They didn’t know that pizza was a Connecticut Thing. The long  lines at Pepe’s, the anticipation, seemed to be a sign it was worth waiting for. Getting a table felt like an honor, followed by the rush of ordering. Our friends loved the pizzas, and packed up half to take home to their kids. When the check came, we were glad they’d done so well at the casino.

I wrote about the history of Pepe’s and my love of their fresh clam pie for the Hartford Courant, and here’s a report with more photos from my blog Pepe’s Pizza’s History in the Pies

Photos by Tom McGovern

I love the pizza at Amore Cucina & Bar in the Springdale section of Stamford. Bruno DiFabio’s mastery of Neapolitan and Roman crusts, and classic and contemporary toppings blends tradition with exploration. I wrote about Amore for the Hartford Courant, and here’s a blog post with more photos Amore Cucina: Great Pizza in Stamford

Fortina is a loud, youthful place in Harbor View, which makes a terrific pizza Margherita.

You can read more about it here: Fortina Pizzeria Rocks Harbor Point

But my favorite place of all to have pizza is at home, Tips for Making Great Pizza at Home

Where’s your favorite place to have pizza?