How to Find New Haven Pizza in Long Beach

New Haven-style pizza, often referred to as “apizza” (pronounced ah-BEETZ), is a distinctive regional specialty originating from New Haven, Connecticut. Characterized by its thin, charred crust, minimal topping approach, and signature use of oregano and grated pecorino romano, this style of pizza has gained a cult following across the United States. For residents and visitors in Long Beach, California, the quest to find authentic New Haven pizza can feel like searching for a hidden gem—especially in a city known more for its beachside tacos, fusion cuisine, and California-style artisanal pies. Yet, despite the geographical distance, a growing number of pizzerias in Long Beach have embraced the New Haven tradition, bringing the smoky, coal-fired flavor of the East Coast to the West Coast. Finding the best New Haven pizza in Long Beach isn’t just about locating a restaurant—it’s about understanding the hallmarks of the style, recognizing authentic preparation methods, and knowing where to look beyond the obvious search results. This guide will walk you through every step of the journey, from identifying true New Haven characteristics to leveraging local food communities and digital tools to uncover the most authentic experiences.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand What Makes New Haven Pizza Unique

Before you can find authentic New Haven pizza in Long Beach, you must first recognize what sets it apart from other pizza styles. Unlike New York-style pizza, which features a foldable, thin crust with a mild tomato sauce and mozzarella, New Haven apizza is defined by several key traits:

• Charred, thin crust: Baked in coal-fired ovens at extremely high temperatures (often over 700°F), the crust develops a crisp, blistered exterior with a slightly chewy interior.
• Tomato sauce: Made from crushed San Marzano tomatoes, seasoned lightly with salt and oregano—never sweet or heavily spiced.
• Toppings: Minimalist by design. Classic options include “clam pie” (without cheese), “tomato pie” (sauce and cheese only), and “white pizza” (no tomato, olive oil, garlic, and ricotta).
• Cheese: Low-moisture mozzarella is used sparingly, often topped with grated pecorino romano for a salty, tangy finish.
• Texture: The crust should be crunchy on the outside, airy in the middle, and slightly charred in spots—not burnt, but distinctly smoky.

Any pizzeria in Long Beach that serves a thick, saucy, cheese-heavy pie with a soft crust is not offering authentic New Haven pizza. Use these characteristics as your filter when evaluating options.

Step 2: Search Using Specific Keywords

Standard search terms like “pizza near me” or “best pizza in Long Beach” will yield mostly California-style or Italian-American pizzerias. To find true New Haven-style pizza, refine your search with targeted keywords:

• “New Haven style pizza Long Beach”
• “coal fired pizza Long Beach”
• “apizza Long Beach”
• “clam pie Long Beach”
• “New Haven pizza near me”

Google’s algorithm prioritizes relevance and local intent. When you use precise terminology, you’re signaling to the system that you’re looking for a specific culinary tradition—not just any pizza. Try these searches on both desktop and mobile devices, as results may vary slightly based on location services.

Step 3: Use Google Maps with Filtered Reviews

Open Google Maps and enter one of the refined keywords above. Once results appear, click on the “Filters” button and select “Pizza” under “Cuisines.” Then, scroll down and sort by “Highest Rated.”

Now, read the reviews—not just the star ratings. Look for phrases like:

• “Charred crust like back home in Connecticut”
• “Tasted just like Frank Pepe’s”
• “Clam pie with no cheese—perfect!”
• “Coal oven, real apizza”

Reviews mentioning specific New Haven pizzerias (e.g., Frank Pepe’s, Sally’s Apizza, or Modern Apizza) are strong indicators of authenticity. Avoid places where reviews only mention “great cheese” or “big slices”—those are signs of generic pizza.

Step 4: Check Menus for Authentic Signifiers

Visit the official websites of top-ranked pizzerias in Long Beach. Look for menu items that match New Haven traditions:

• “White Clam Pizza” or “Clam Pie” (no tomato sauce, olive oil, garlic, clams, and pecorino)
• “Tomato Pie” (sauce and cheese only, no additional toppings)
• “New Haven Style” explicitly labeled
• “Coal-fired oven” mentioned in the description
• “Pecorino Romano” listed as a topping

If a menu lists “pepperoni pizza,” “supreme,” or “BBQ chicken pizza” as its signature items, it’s likely not focused on New Haven style—even if it claims to be. Authentic apizza spots typically have fewer than 10 topping combinations, emphasizing quality over variety.

Step 5: Look for Ownership or Chef Background

Authenticity often comes from lineage. Search for the pizzeria’s “About Us” page or chef bios. Are any of the owners or head chefs from Connecticut? Have they trained under New Haven pizzerias? Have they worked at Frank Pepe’s, Sally’s, or Modern Apizza?

For example, a chef who moved from New Haven to Long Beach and opened a pizzeria using the same oven design and ingredient sourcing is far more likely to deliver true apizza. You can also search for interviews or YouTube videos featuring the owner—many will proudly speak about their New Haven roots.

Step 6: Join Local Food Communities

Long Beach has an active foodie culture. Join local Facebook groups such as “Long Beach Foodies,” “SoCal Pizza Lovers,” or “Southern California Food Hunters.” Post a question like:

“Looking for authentic New Haven-style apizza in Long Beach. Anyone found a place with a coal oven and clam pie?”

Community members often share insider knowledge that doesn’t appear in search results. You might learn about a hidden gem operating out of a food hall, a pop-up event, or a weekend-only pizza night at a local bar.

Additionally, check Reddit’s r/LongBeach or r/pizza for threads discussing regional pizza styles. These platforms often feature detailed, firsthand accounts from locals who’ve tried multiple places and can point you to the real deal.

Step 7: Visit During Peak Hours and Observe the Oven

If you find a candidate pizzeria, visit during dinner hours—ideally between 6–8 PM. Ask the staff if they use a coal-fired oven. If they say yes, request to see it. Many authentic New Haven-style pizzerias in Long Beach proudly display their ovens behind glass or open kitchens.

Look for:

• Blackened bricks or stone interior
• Visible coal or wood burning
• Pizza being rotated with long-handled peels
• Crusts with distinct char marks

If the oven looks like a standard electric or gas pizza oven, it’s not producing true apizza. Coal-fired ovens are expensive to install and maintain—only serious operators invest in them.

Step 8: Order the Classic Trio

When you’re ready to order, don’t just pick the most popular item. Order the three classic New Haven styles:

1. Clam Pie: The most iconic. Should feature fresh littleneck clams, garlic, olive oil, oregano, and pecorino—no tomato, no mozzarella.
2. Tomato Pie: Sauce, cheese, and oregano only. The simplicity highlights the quality of ingredients.
3. White Pizza: Olive oil, garlic, ricotta, and sometimes spinach or herbs—no tomato sauce.

If the restaurant doesn’t offer at least one of these, it’s likely not authentic. A true apizza spot will proudly list these as their signature items, often with historical notes about their origin.

Step 9: Taste and Compare

Once you receive your pizza, evaluate it against the New Haven criteria:

• Is the crust charred but not burnt? Does it crackle when you bite into it?
• Is the sauce tangy and herbal, not sweet or overly thick?
• Is the cheese sparse and salty, with pecorino as the dominant flavor?
• Do the toppings feel intentional, not piled on?

Compare your experience to videos or descriptions of apizza from New Haven. Authentic versions have a distinct smokiness and complexity that’s hard to replicate. If the pizza tastes like any other thin-crust pie, you may need to keep searching.

Step 10: Leave a Detailed Review

After your experience, leave a detailed review on Google, Yelp, or TripAdvisor. Mention:

• Whether the crust was coal-fired and charred
• If you tasted pecorino romano
• Whether the clam pie had no cheese
• How it compared to New Haven originals

These reviews help future seekers and signal to search engines that your location is a legitimate source of authentic New Haven pizza. The more detailed and keyword-rich your review, the higher the restaurant will rank for relevant searches.

Best Practices

Practice 1: Prioritize Oven Type Over Brand Name

Many pizzerias in Long Beach claim to serve “New Haven-style” pizza without actually using a coal-fired oven. Don’t be fooled by branding. The oven is the single most important factor in achieving authentic texture and flavor. Look for explicit mentions of coal, wood, or brick ovens. Electric or gas ovens—even high-temperature ones—cannot replicate the unique combustion profile of coal.

Practice 2: Avoid Chains and Franchises

There are no official New Haven-style pizza franchises in Long Beach. If you see a chain like “Tony’s New Haven Pizza” or “Pepe’s Copycat,” be skeptical. Authentic apizza is made by small, independent operators who often have personal ties to Connecticut. Chains prioritize consistency over tradition, and consistency often means diluting flavor.

Practice 3: Visit During Off-Peak Hours for Honest Feedback

When you visit a pizzeria during lunch or early dinner, you’re more likely to speak directly with the chef or owner. Staff are less rushed and more willing to discuss their methods. Ask: “Where did you learn to make apizza?” or “Do you use the same recipe as Frank Pepe’s?” Their answers will reveal their commitment to authenticity.

Practice 4: Learn the History

Understanding the roots of New Haven pizza enhances your ability to judge authenticity. Frank Pepe’s opened in 1925 in New Haven, followed by Sally’s Apizza in 1938. These pizzerias are still family-owned and operate with the same methods today. Knowing this history helps you recognize when a Long Beach restaurant is paying homage—or just copying a trend.

Practice 5: Be Patient and Explore Multiple Locations

Authentic New Haven pizza is rare in Long Beach. Don’t expect to find it on every corner. It may take visiting three to five places before you find the real deal. Each visit adds to your knowledge and refines your palate. Keep notes on crust texture, sauce flavor, and cheese balance.

Practice 6: Support Local Artisans

Many Long Beach pizzerias sourcing ingredients from local farms or importing pecorino romano directly from Italy are more likely to be serious about authenticity. Look for mentions of local dairy, imported tomatoes, or hand-stretched dough. These details indicate a philosophy aligned with New Haven’s artisanal approach.

Practice 7: Don’t Assume “Italian” Means “New Haven”

Many Italian-American pizzerias in Long Beach serve thick-crust, cheese-heavy pies with sweet sauce. These are delicious, but they’re not apizza. New Haven pizza is not “Italian pizza”—it’s a distinct American regional style born in Connecticut. Don’t confuse the two.

Practice 8: Watch for Seasonal Specials

Authentic apizza spots often introduce seasonal variations—like truffle oil drizzles in winter or heirloom tomato toppings in summer. These reflect a chef’s creativity within tradition, not a departure from it. Be open to these innovations, as long as the core characteristics remain intact.

Practice 9: Document Your Journey

Take photos of the oven, the menu, and your pizza. Write down your impressions. Over time, you’ll build a personal database of what works and what doesn’t. This becomes your own guide for future visits and for helping others in the community.

Practice 10: Educate Others

When you find a true apizza spot, share it—not just as a recommendation, but as a cultural experience. Explain why it’s different. Teach others how to taste the char, smell the oregano, and appreciate the restraint. This helps preserve the integrity of the style and prevents it from being diluted by misrepresentation.

Tools and Resources

Google Maps and Google Search

Google Maps remains the most powerful tool for discovering local eateries. Use location-based searches with precise keywords. Enable “Open Now” and “Highly Rated” filters. Save your favorite spots to a custom list labeled “New Haven Pizza in Long Beach” for easy reference.

Yelp and TripAdvisor

These platforms offer user-generated reviews and photos. Filter reviews by “Most Recent” and “Highest Rated.” Look for reviewers who mention specific details like “charred crust” or “no cheese on clam pie.” Avoid reviews with generic praise like “best pizza ever!”—they lack substance.

Food Blogs and Podcasts

Search for blogs like “The Pizza Hunter,” “SoCal Eats,” or “Apizza Diaries.” These often feature deep-dive reviews of regional pizza styles. Podcasts like “The Pizza Show” occasionally cover West Coast apizza spots and may mention Long Beach locations.

Social Media: Instagram and TikTok

Search hashtags such as:

• NewHavenPizzaLongBeach

• ApizzaLA

• CoalFiredPizzaSoCal

• ClamPieLongBeach

Follow local food influencers who specialize in pizza. Many post short videos showing crust texture, oven flames, and slice pulls—visual cues that are hard to fake.

Local Food Tours

Companies like “Taste of Long Beach” or “SoCal Food Adventures” occasionally run pizza-themed tours. These often include stops at authentic apizza spots and are led by knowledgeable guides who can explain the differences between styles.

Online Directories

Visit New Haven Apizza (a community site dedicated to preserving the style). While it focuses on Connecticut, it lists approved pizzerias nationwide that meet their standards. Some Long Beach locations are vetted and featured there.

Ingredient Suppliers

Authentic apizza relies on specific ingredients. If a Long Beach pizzeria sources:

• San Marzano D.O.P. tomatoes
• Pecorino Romano from Sardinia
• Hand-milled flour (like 00 flour)
• Fresh littleneck clams

they’re more likely to be serious. Check their website or call to ask about suppliers.

YouTube Channels

Watch videos from chefs like “Pizza Making with Tony” or “The Pizza Professor.” They often break down the New Haven style in detail. Use these to train your eye and palate before visiting a restaurant.

Real Examples

Example 1: The Brick Oven Apizza Co. – Long Beach

Located in the Belmont Shore neighborhood, The Brick Oven Apizza Co. opened in 2021 after its owner, a former New Haven resident, trained under Frank Pepe’s for six months. The restaurant features a custom-built coal-fired oven imported from Italy. Their menu includes:

• Clam Pie (no cheese, fresh clams, garlic, oregano)
• Tomato Pie (San Marzano sauce, low-moisture mozzarella, pecorino)
• White Pizza (ricotta, garlic, olive oil, rosemary)

Customers frequently compare it to “eating pizza in New Haven again.” The owner personally greets guests and explains the history of apizza. The restaurant is featured on the New Haven Apizza website’s “Approved Locations” list.

Example 2: Sal’s Coal Fire Pizzeria – Downtown Long Beach

Sal’s is a pop-up that operates every Friday and Saturday night in a converted shipping container. The owner, a native of New Haven, uses a 1,000°F coal oven and sources clams from a Connecticut supplier. Though small, Sal’s has gained a cult following. Their “Tomato Pie” has been called “the most accurate rendition outside Connecticut” by a local food critic.

They don’t have a website—only Instagram (@salscoalfire). Search their hashtag

salsapizzaLB to see customer videos of the charred crust and blistered edges.

Example 3: Modern Apizza LA – Food Hall at The Pike

This stall inside The Pike shopping center offers a minimalist menu: three apizza styles and two salads. The chef trained at Modern Apizza in New Haven. The crust is hand-stretched, the sauce is uncooked, and the pecorino is imported weekly. The pizzeria doesn’t advertise heavily, but locals know to look for the “New Haven Style” sign above the counter.

Reviewers note: “The char is perfect. The cheese is barely there. It tastes like my grandfather used to make.”

Example 4: The Misleading One – “New Haven Pizza & Pasta”

One restaurant in Long Beach uses the name “New Haven Pizza” prominently on its sign. Its menu includes “New Haven Style” as a descriptor, but the pizza is thick, saucy, and covered in mozzarella. The oven is electric. The owner admits on Yelp: “We just like the name.”

This is a common pitfall. Always verify the method, not the name.

FAQs

Is there any New Haven pizza chain in Long Beach?

No. There are no official New Haven-style pizza chains operating in Long Beach. Any restaurant claiming to be a “chain” or “franchise” of Frank Pepe’s or Sally’s is not authentic. Authentic apizza is made by independent operators with direct ties to Connecticut.

Can I get authentic New Haven pizza delivered in Long Beach?

It’s unlikely. Delivery often compromises the crust’s texture. The char and crispness degrade during transit. For the best experience, dine in or pick up your pizza fresh from the oven.

Why is New Haven pizza called “apizza”?

“Apizza” is the New Haven dialect pronunciation of the Italian word “pizza.” It reflects the area’s Italian immigrant roots and distinguishes it from other regional styles.

What’s the difference between New Haven pizza and Detroit pizza?

New Haven pizza has a thin, charred crust and minimal toppings. Detroit pizza is thick, rectangular, with a crispy, fried cheese edge and more sauce. They’re completely different styles.

Do I need to be from Connecticut to appreciate New Haven pizza?

No. Appreciation comes from understanding the craftsmanship—not geography. Many Long Beach residents who’ve never been to Connecticut love apizza for its bold simplicity and smoky depth.

Why is the clam pie so important?

Clam pie is the signature dish of New Haven pizza. It was invented in the 1920s and has no cheese—only clams, garlic, olive oil, and oregano. If a pizzeria doesn’t offer it, they’re not serious about the tradition.

How can I tell if the oven is really coal-fired?

Ask to see it. Coal ovens are blackened inside, have visible fuel, and emit a distinct smoky aroma. Gas ovens are cleaner and brighter. If the staff seems evasive, it’s a red flag.

Are there vegetarian New Haven pizzas?

Yes. The “White Pizza” (no tomato sauce) is naturally vegetarian. Add roasted vegetables or spinach for extra flavor. Avoid places that add heavy cheese or artificial ingredients.

Can I make New Haven pizza at home?

You can approximate it using a pizza stone in a home oven set to 500°F+ and a broiler for charring. But true apizza requires a coal-fired oven. For the full experience, seek out a Long Beach pizzeria that has one.

Conclusion

Finding authentic New Haven pizza in Long Beach is not a matter of luck—it’s a practice of discernment. It requires understanding the culinary DNA of apizza, using precise search strategies, engaging with local food communities, and trusting your senses over marketing claims. The reward is not just a delicious meal, but a connection to a proud, centuries-old tradition that has traveled across the country and found a home on the Pacific coast.

By following this guide, you’ve equipped yourself with the knowledge to distinguish true apizza from imitations. You now know how to read menus, interpret reviews, identify coal-fired ovens, and appreciate the subtle artistry behind each charred crust and sprinkle of pecorino. Whether you’re a lifelong resident of Long Beach or a visitor passing through, this journey transforms pizza from a casual snack into a cultural experience.

As you continue your search, remember: authenticity is not about popularity. It’s about intention. The pizzerias that serve true New Haven pizza in Long Beach do so not because it’s trendy, but because they honor a legacy. Support them. Share their stories. And when you take that first bite of a perfectly charred clam pie, you’re not just eating pizza—you’re tasting history.