The long-awaited Alexandria location of Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana will be opening on Monday, July 18th. Widely known as “Pepe’s Pizza,” the iconic New Haven-born pizzeria has expanded across New England and now takes on the mid-Atlantic with locations in Bethesda and Alexandria. Pepe’s Pizza of Alexandria will be located in the Alexandria Commons Shopping Center on Duke Street.
Pepe’s Pizza has been in business since 1925 and is considered the original New Haven-style pizza. The brand has been voted No. 1 on The Daily Meal’s list of Best Pizzas in America nine times. It’s known for specialty pies such as the white clam pizza, featuring fresh clams with pecorino romano, fresh garlic, and oregano. But you don’t have to go specialty to get a delicious slice: the classic original tomato pie is just as worthy.
What makes New Haven-style pizza different? The pizzas have a crisp yet chewy texture, a thin, slightly charred crust, and a limited amount of cheese. If you’ve never tried New Haven-style pizza before, you may be surprised by how it differs from traditional pies, but hopefully, you’ll also be delighted.
The new Alexandria location of Pepe’s Pizza is a 3,600-square-foot, 100-seat restaurant with decor inspired by the look and feel of the original Pepe’s of New Haven. The restaurant will offer carry out in addition to indoor dining.
Pepe’s Pizza says they remain a customer favorite by adhering to traditional recipes designed by Frank Pepe himself. At Pepe’s Pizza, customers are considered to be an extension of the family, so soon enough, Northern Virginia pizza lovers will be initiated into the Pepe clan. We can’t wait.
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