Connecticut was named the “Pizza Capital of the United States” in May 2024. Mostly known for New Haven’s Big Three. Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria, Sally’s aPizza, and Modern aPizza. Does Clinton, Connecticut also provide the delicious tasting pizza’s that have helped Connecticut gain the name of Best Pizza? The Pawprint investigated.
Clinton has 5 pizza places, not including Ciao, a pizza centered restaurant. These 5 are: Grand aPizza, Bella Maria Pizza, Clinton Pizza, Dominos, and Palmeries are located in town.
Grand aPizza
The most popular pizzeria in Clinton is Grand aPizza. Along with the Clinton location, there is also a Madison and Guilford Grand. Grand was founded in 1955. They cater parties up to 50 people, meetings, holidays, and have a pizza truck! The main attraction to the community is the New Haven styled based pizza.
“Grand aPizza is my favorite pizza place in town because I love New Haven pizza, and it tastes really similar,” said Gavin Clow, a sophomor at Morgan.
Junior, Amber Maikowski has worked at Grand aPizza in Clinton since July 2024. Maikowski expressed how busy it gets in the summer because of all the tourists coming to town.
“Summer is our busiest time of the year, especially on Fridays,” Maikowski said.
Everyone comes down to try the famous New Haven style pizza on the shoreline. It’s a big tourist attraction.
Makowski explained, “It’s all in the dough and the sauce they use.” Grand aPizza has the thin crust cooked in a big coal oven, so the tar comes out on the bottom, making the pizza that savory New Haven style.
Palmeri’s NY Style Pizza
Palmeri’s is a family owned pizza place that is well known in the town of Clinton. Unlike Grand, Palmeris is centered around the style of New York pizza. Their menu goes beyond pizza including grinders, salads, entrees and Italian cuisines.
Andrew Palmieri is the business owner and operator. It started up in December 2011 with the name Palmieri’s NY Style Pizza. In December 2015, he decided to change the name to Palmeri’s Pizza.
While Grand is more of a sit down restaurant feel, Palmieri’s Pizza is more of a grab and go. Located on W Main Street, it’s an easy pickup for everyone.
Although Palmeris isn’t that New Haven style, it’s still a town favorite. Senior, Aleia Aleman said “I love Palmeri’s, the owner is so nice and welcoming.” With a similar comment, Meredith O’Brien commented “Palmeris is my favorite pizzeria in town, the owner is very nice.”
Sometimes customers don’t always come for the “best” pizza, but the welcoming service that gets them.
Bella Maria’s Pizza
Opening around 17 years ago, Bella Maria’s has made their presence in this small town on the shoreline known with different varieties of thin crust pizzas.
First, there was Bella Lisa, a pizzeria in North Branford. It had the same feel and great menu items. Bella Maria’s was then opened, which led to Bella Lisa’s being permanently shut down.
Bella Maria’s offers catering services for small to large groups, delivery, and pickup.
“I haven’t been there in a while, but I remember it being good.” said Emily Kravitz.
The atmosphere is welcoming with big windows, a few tables for dining and a large menu in the back. Although this pizzeria doesn’t seem to be as popular as Grand aPizza or Palmeri’s it is still getting its name out there.
