Since 1934, Zuppardi’s Apizza has been serving authentic New Haven-style pizza to generations of Connecticut pizza lovers. 🍕
What started as a bread-making business by Dominic Zuppardi evolved into one of West Haven’s most treasured pizzerias when his son Anthony returned from the Navy and began crafting apizza that would become legendary.
Today, Anthony’s daughters Lori and Cheryl, along with their children, proudly continue the family tradition of hand-making every pizza with the same integrity and passion that built this iconic establishment nearly nine decades ago. ✨
How Zuppardi’s Won West Haven’s Hearts
Zuppardi’s earned its place in Connecticut pizza history through an unwavering commitment to quality ingredients and traditional techniques that honor Dominic and Anthony’s original vision.
The turning point came when the family introduced their homemade fennel sausage made from Anthony Zuppardi Sr.’s secret recipe—a creation so exceptional it earned Connecticut Magazine’s Best Sausage award and became the pizzeria’s signature topping. 🏆
Operating as a family-owned business for three generations without ever selling out, the Zuppardis built genuine relationships with customers who return week after week, treating the pizzeria like a neighborhood gathering spot where everyone feels welcome, and the pizza consistently delivers on nearly 90 years of tradition.
Food Highlights
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White Clam Pizza: The crown jewel of Zuppardi’s menu features freshly shucked littleneck clams with whole bellies opened to order, baked on a crispy crust with garlic, herbs, and olive oil. 🦪
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Homemade Sausage Pizza: Vice Magazine called this “a thing of wonder” and with good reason—the in-house fennel sausage made from Anthony Sr.’s recipe delivers savory flavor with subtle sweetness and a herby licorice-like quality.
- Spicy Shrimp Casino Pizza: A popular specialty that combines succulent shrimp with hot peppers, bacon, and casino-style toppings to create a bold, seafood-forward pie. 🌶️
- Zuppardi’s Special: This signature combination of mozzarella, mushrooms, and the restaurant’s award-winning homemade fennel sausage creates the perfect balance of savory meat, earthy mushrooms, and melted cheese.
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Traditional Grandma Pie: This square pizza is made to order with mozzarella, fresh basil, and pecorino romano.
- Traditional Plain Pie: Known as Anthony Zuppardi’s favorite, this authentic New Haven-style “abeetz” comes without mozzarella, featuring just tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, and grated pecorino romano on a perfectly charred thin crust.
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Spicy Shrimp Casino Pizza: A popular specialty that combines succulent shrimp with hot peppers, bacon, and casino-style toppings to create a bold, seafood-forward pie. 🌶️
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Buffalo Chicken Pizza: Available in multiple flavor variations, including BBQ, Buffalo, Pesto, or Plain, this crowd-pleaser comes with your choice of ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Atmosphere
The restaurant maintains an old-school neighborhood pizzeria vibe with simple furnishings that put the focus squarely on the food rather than fancy décor.
Located in a residential West Haven neighborhood, Zuppardi’s offers plenty of seating that fills with regulars who appreciate the authentic, no-frills experience and the friendly banter between customers and the Zuppardi family.
The pizzeria serves Foxon Park sodas, a local Connecticut favorite, and Libby’s Italian Ice for dessert, adding to the genuine regional experience.
Cheryl Zuppardi’s warm presence and sweet demeanor create a welcoming environment where families have been gathering for game nights and special dinners across multiple generations. 💕
Bottom Line
Visit Zuppardi’s for authentic New Haven-style apizza with nearly 90 years of tradition, freshly shucked clams that are opened to order for the best white clam pie in Connecticut, award-winning homemade fennel sausage made from the original family recipe, genuine three-generation family ownership that never sold out, and a true neighborhood pizzeria experience that locals have cherished since 1934. 🎉
Address:
179 Union Ave, West Haven, CT 06516
📞 (203) 934-1949
🕔 Open Mon-Thurs, 11 AM–8 PM | Fri-Sat, 11 AM–9 PM | Sun, 12 PM–8 PM