This week, guest contributor Brian Grabell of Scout Collective slices deep into the great cultural phenomenon known as the Pizza.
Pizza is the best. You know it, I know it. Growing up, Fridays were my favorite… not so much for the end of the week and the impending weekend, but that Friday meant it was pizza night. I will probably come across as elitist on this subject, and that is okay, but I have the privilege of living within the heart of “The Pizza Belt.”
Growing up next to New Haven, CT, and being only an hour outside of NYC, I was spoiled with the best pizza in the world. I have traveled across this great nation as well as Italy and devoured all the slices that were on offer. Nothing beats New Haven… nothing.
Don’t get me wrong. Great pizza exists throughout the world and is outlined very well by the great David Chang in his awesome show Ugly Delicious, but if we’re talking pound-for-pound greatness on almost every corner…. It’s here… Come visit me and I will show you.
Guess what y’all? It’s Friday! Order that pizza.
All opinions flaunted within this article are my own and not of anyone else’s here at The Beat.
New Haven
New Haven is the GOAT. From the celebrated big 3, Pepe’s, Sally’s and Modern, to more offbeat options like BAR, there is no shortage of great slices to be found in good ole Elm City. My above offer stands, come and visit and let’s stuff our faces with slices of pie.
Late Night Cravings
“When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s Amore…” Pizza is great for lunch, dinner and even breakfast, if you play your cards right. However, there is a particularly choice time of the night (usually post-bar trips) where pizza is the only decision to be made. 10/10, this is when you call Domino’s and get that serviceable tastiness delivered in 15 minutes or less.
Chicago Deep Dish
Chicago deep-dish is super tasty. It is filled with tons of flavor and toppings and is baked in a deep pan that gives the pizza its characteristically high edge. It comes across more like a pie, rather than the traditional flatbread approach. “If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.” —Ferris Bueller.
New York Pizza
I stick by my New Haven GOAT claims, but real respects real, and NYC pizza is legit. Slices as big as your face available 24 hours a day. There are many theories as to why NYC pizza is the best, but I think it has to do with one of the greatest features of The City… generations of immigrants bringing their food with them. For me, what’s great about New York is that I can grab a slice of pizza in New Haven and hop on the train to NYC to have even more pizza. There is no such thing as too much pizza
