I'm a New Yorker and I Travel to This U.S. State for the Best Pizza in the Country

"Everywhere else, pizza is just overshadowed by big cities and other attractions, here our coal-fired ovens are quite literally the eternal light. We have turned pizza into art, and art into impact. It's no longer just about the pizza, it's a cultural movement that's helping our entire state thrive."

"The thin crust was chewy yet charred, simple but deeply satisfying. The sweetness of crushed Italian tomatoes shone through in a way I'd never experienced before."

A self-described pizza non-enthusiast recounts their journey from avoiding pizza throughout childhood and adulthood to becoming captivated by New Haven, Connecticut's distinctive pizza culture. Despite living in New York City and sampling various acclaimed pizzerias, pizza never appealed until visiting New Haven in summer 2023. The city's iconic coal-fired ovens and legendary establishments like Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoleanta and Sally Apizza represent a cultural movement transcending typical food trends. The thin, charred crust combined with authentic crushed Italian tomatoes created an immediate conversion experience. New Haven's pizza scene, rooted in immigrant traditions, has become central to the city's identity and economic vitality.

Read at Travel + Leisure