Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana - Manchester

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana brings New Haven–style pizza to Manchester with visible pizzaiolos and a coal-fired oven that drives the restaurant’s signature char and thin, crackly crust.

The kitchen’s pace and open setup are often mentioned by visitors who enjoy watching pies go in and out of the oven.

Service leans friendly and efficient: reviewers highlight helpful staff and quick pickup times.

The interior atmosphere reads casual and homey, and many guests return for the balance of fresh ingredients, a tangy tomato sauce, and classic specialty pies like white clam and doppio pepperoni.

The menu centers on time-honored pies: Original Tomato Pie, Margherita, White Clam, Meatball & Ricotta and specialty options like the Summer Fresh Tomato Pie.

Reviewers repeatedly praise a thin, crisp crust with a touch of char and a bright, flavorful sauce.

Favorites mentioned by name include the doppio pepperoni and the white clam pie; sides and extras such as Caesar salad, gelato and Foxon Park sodas are noted as solid complements that round out the meal.

The tomato was a pivotal addition to pizza, transforming it into the dish we recognize today. Originally brought to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century, tomatoes were initially met with suspicion and thought to be poisonous. It wasn’t until the 18th century that Neapolitan pizza makers embraced the tomato, creating the classic combination of flavors that forms the foundation of modern pizza.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana’s Manchester location channels New Haven pizza traditions with coal-fired ovens, a paper-thin crust and toppings that reviewers say taste fresh and balanced.

Diners repeatedly note the signature charred edges and the peppered, bright-tasting tomato sauce as defining features of each pie.

Visitors describe the scene as part kitchen theater, part neighborhood pizzeria: one guest observed that being able to see the pizzaiolos at work was memorable, and another said simply, "Everything we ordered was worthy of our of taste buds," (Dalton Anderson).

A frequent theme in reviews is restraint — keep toppings light to let the crust and sauce shine — summed up by Ryan when he noted the pizza "was perfectly thin and crisp with the right amount of char."

Standout pies named by customers include the original tomato pie, the white clam, and the doppio pepperoni.

Many reviewers pair their slices with a Foxon Park soda; one reviewer mentioned that leftovers reheat well at 400F, making the pies both a fresh meal and a practical take-home option.

Overall, the Manchester outpost is praised for consistent execution, friendly service, and faithful New Haven flavors.

Neapolitan pizza, with its simple ingredients and wood-fired cooking method, is considered the gold standard of traditional pizza. Made with just flour, water, yeast, and salt, the dough is topped with San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, and basil. This style celebrates the beauty of high-quality ingredients and has inspired artisanal pizzerias worldwide to recreate its authentic taste.