Ernie's Pizzeria

Pizza restaurant · New Haven

Ernie's Pizzeria

Pizza restaurant · New Haven

1

1279 Whalley Ave, New Haven, CT 06515

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Ernie's Pizzeria by null
Ernie's Pizzeria by null
Ernie's Pizzeria by null
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Ernie's Pizzeria by null
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Highlights

Pizza pies with whole-wheat & GF crusts, plus wine & beer  

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1279 Whalley Ave, New Haven, CT 06515 Get directions

@ernies_pizzeria

$10–20

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1279 Whalley Ave, New Haven, CT 06515 Get directions

+1 203 387 3362
@ernies_pizzeria

$10–20

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Last updated

Aug 27, 2025

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Westville’s family-run stalwart since 1971, where owner Pat DeRiso still stretches the dough and keeps the fire hot. Cited by The Washington Post and local pizza historians, Ernie’s plain and broccoli rabe pies define neighborhood devotion.

https://www.greenwichtime.com/living/article/regional-new-haven-pizza-washington-post-ct-18342656.php
Best Pizza in New Haven
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Remote

Google
Great spot! Delicious pizza and always very welcoming staff. Perhaps a bit pricey compared to a few others in the area, but well worth dropping the extra bucks for. The way I look at instead of going to a mediocre spot once a week (pizza heaven) go here like once a month then. Also, I HIGHLY recommend getting fresh garlic added to whatever pie you get. Automatically makes you say mama Mia that’s good!

Emily I

Google
Pizza was amazing! We got 3 pies all cooked to perfection. My favorite was the mozzarella with hot cherry peppers. Waitstaff was fantastic! She was super helpful & efficient.

Chris S

Google
Might be New Haven’s best kept secret. The owner makes ever pizza that is made there. Good crisp, lots of cheese, not too much grease. Service is quick and efficient, food takes some time but the owner is making everything to perfection and is very friendly with staff and take out customers

patrick matheis

Google
Hands down my favorite pizza, I’ve been going here for over 20 years since I was kid. Highly recommend the meatball and cherry pepper pizza or the traditional pie. Every pizza has had the same level of consistency every time. The owner and staff are extremely passionate about what they do. I try to avoid “the top 3” as they are tourist traps these days. Ernie’s for life!

anna

Google
When I say it was incredible. I mean incredible. The service couldn’t have been any better. If I could give it a 6/5 I would do it without hesitation. They are careful with gluten allergy’s and take it very seriously. They make me not want to go back to my hometown for pizza. IT WAS INCREDIBLE!!!!

B Noble

Google
The pizza was great! Light and crispy- the meatball was definitely the way to go! Our server was so sweet and helpful as it was our first time trying it out! They only serve beer and wine which for us was enough. They do go heavy on the cheese-where we like more sauce. What a great experience!

Nichole Rosa

Google
Random stop on our way from NYC to Boston. Glad we did. Ordered a regular pie to go. While we waited we were asked down to the soft serve ice cream shop. Best dang creamy soft serve I’ve ever had! I walked back to our pizza ready! Sauce was similar to a marinara, Parmesan on top and the crispiest base and crust ever! No soggy pizza pie here

Jackie Shaab (AbiteOUTwithJACK)

Google
Google maps has them at a 4.7 out of 5... Amazing staff, but salad and pizza are average at best. The do however have clear birch beer, and that helpes move the needle from a 2 to a 3 star!
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William P.

Yelp
Another trip with Cuzin Robby! We should take stock in this place. Our two favorite waitresses, excellent!! Pat scores another 9.9!!!

Stu C.

Yelp
First of all: Foxon Park on tap! IYKYK. You walk ind and it's like going back in time. The waiters are friendly and attentive. The pizza was phenomenal, a crispy easy to bite crust with beautiful sauce. Definitely coming back here soon.
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Jennifer E.

Yelp
We had never tried Ernie's pizza. It's been recommended many times and now on the top 20 list, we took a ride. The staff is great, welcoming and friendly. Being a Friday evening, it didn't seem very busy. We were the first sitting inside at 4:30. A few came in for take out. We ordered 2 small pizzas, a pepperoni and a half meatball. We were given paper plates and plastic utensils. We waited about over a half an hour for the pizzas. They didn't have pizza stands, so 2 pizzas crowded the table. The waitress did her best to position them so we wouldn't bump them. The crust is very thin and was very crisp when it was hot. It got a bit soggy once it cooled. The cheese slide off and they seemed a bit greasy. My husband really liked the pepperoni. It was very flavorful! However, the other pizza was bland. We decided it was the cheese. It seemed to have little flavor and the pepperoni, having a strong flavor, overpowered it. The meatball was tasty but still was missing something. We added parmesan, we was brought over in a to-go cup. I eventually added a little salt, from a packet. Overall, the pizza wasn't bad. We felt that they are skimping to save money....using a less expensive mozzarella(less tasty and greasy), to go containers instead of shakers on the tables, plastic utensils (which the waitress had customers hold onto after eating salad rather than getting clean ones.) The inside is bright and clean. If we lived close by we might have tried again. It's not worth the treck across New Haven. I was really hopeful.

R R.

Yelp
Ernie's Pizzeria was amazing. Our straight-up cheese pie hit the spot. Employees were kind and fun to talk to, we were accommodated well switching from take out to dine in. The pizzeria had a great retro-ish family-owned pizzeria vibe, and was very clean. Would definitely go back again!
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Valerie R.

Yelp
I've seen so many positive reviews, so I had to give Ernie's a try. Bottom line, it's fine, not great...and I think maybe more of a nostalgic feel for people who have been eating there for years. The first time we went, I had recently had covid, so I thought maybe that was the reason I found the fresh tomato pie to be completely bland and lacking flavor. Though taste aside, I found the crust to be thicker than average and more cheese than I'm accustomed to. When my husband suggested going back, I agreed as I truly hoped it would wow me this time. However, still just average. Pizzas take forever to make, even when there's only 5-6 occupied tables. Bacon on our pie was a little undercooked for my liking. And in spite of adding garlic, it was still fairly bland. The Eco-Friendly side of me also despises restaurants that use disposable products. Throw away cups, plates, and utensils. Cheese and red pepper in throw away containers. I feel like they could do better in this day and age. I'd rather have a soda in a glass bottle than a plastic cup, at least it would be recyclable. I'm not saying stay away from this place. I'd eat there if friends really wanted to go. But for me, it's not worth the trip, and there are so many pizza places in the area that I like a lot more.
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Matthew S.

Yelp
Finishing with a flourish, Ernie's definitely hits the spot in case you need some good pizza without going to any of the tourist traps on Wooster Street. The pies take a bit longer than usual to cook here and that is fine. It tastes delicious, but incredibly hot. Give it 5-10 minutes before eating or you will burn the roof of your mouth. I would also suggest getting a half mozzarella half topping pie. This will allow your palette to adjust to the flavors without compromising taste. The white clam pie does that well. It is a solid walk from downtown New Haven but only about a 10 minute drive for those who have a car. I recommend wholly.
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Dan P.

Yelp
Amazing family owned business. Quite possibly the perfect pizza. That's mostly all they have on their menu and they do it absolutely incredible especially considering the competition in the same city. Kudos I would say probably best pizza I've ever had. Awesome service great operation. I will return for certain and highly recommend. I was so fast when I got my food I didn't take pictures lol but trust me when I say it was amazing.
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Kathleen S.

Yelp
As a New Haven native I have high standards and everything went right here tonight. I called to make sure they were open and got a recommendation for the meatball. Half mozz half meatball was delicious and on point. Slightly thicker than traditional NH apizza but zero complaints. Delicious.
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Linda G.

Yelp
The pizza was great not to great thin flavor ful crust will go back highly recommended
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Vivian H.

Yelp
Recently had a chance to try Ernie's as it was my fiancés birthday meal choice. We went around 3:30-4pm and it was pretty hopping at that time! Staff were so great and friendly! My fiance got his usual boring plain cheese and I got half meatball half eggplant. Let me tell you the hype on the meatballs is real. These probably some of the best meatballs I've ever had.!!! So good. Eggplant was thin and yummy! Good sauce m, generous toppings and plenty of cheese. The only thing I didn't like much was the crust. Super dry and almost like a cracker. Not my style but my fiance loves everything about this place!!

Koni F.

Yelp
at beecher wood school, they would get this pizza for us. it was was not that good, as some people say. everyone at that school would use napkins to get all of the grease off the cheese pizza. when i came to yelp, i was surprised people actually like the pizza. it's been a while, but id never have it again.
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Matthew H.

Yelp
Best pizza in CT, franks, Sally's, modern, and BAR are all good but overrated comparatively. Plus this is family owned and the owner is a great guy.

Noneya E.

Yelp
Last time I had them, Pizza was not as up to par as it used to be. I've been I was a fan of Ernies Pizzeria since my grandma took me there as a teen, but as the years go by the prices, of course are gonna go up with their Hella high when the product the product he serves to the ones that's not his fave isn't as tastefully cared for like it used to be except for if you're one of his special customers that he favors maybe Pat is getting a little older cause the staffs not getting any wiser Idk how they dk what comes on certain specials&sadly they just Couldn't even explain it,Sad althoTrue&had the NERVE TO BE AGGRESSIVELY ARGUMENTATIVE because they couldn't understand what Customer was requesting very bad phone manner imagine what it would've been. If I would've went in for in person service they having a bad day they shouldn't answer the phone. They shouldn't be at work that day PAT SHOULD DEFINITELY LET THEM KNOW ! Customer satisfaction should be top priority, especially the way they be looking for tips. Sad.
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Rachel F.

Yelp
Not that they need my help spreading the word, but this is a STELLAR choice for authentic, New Haven, Brick Oven pizza. Had a plain cheese pizza (imo, perfect pizza pies need no toppings). Crust-thin, slightly charred, perfect. Sauce, yummy, cheese--simple unfancy, melty just right. We came in on a Friday afternoon around 2pm, after any lunch rush, and the dining room was empty. Pie still took time, place has phone orders nonstop. But I'd still recommend an off-hour for eating in to guarantee a table. Great staff! So good!
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Ashley J.

Yelp
This place has great pizza. Taste and flavor are on point. The guy taking orders over the phone was alittle rude though but it could have just been a busy day.
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nycParkie K.

Yelp
I've been eating New Haven Pizza for nearly 40 years but today was my first trip to Ernie's. I love the 80s vibe inside. Especially because it isn't a staged decore but just the real deal. I found the young waitstaff to be very nice and attentive. I'll leave my thoughts on plastic silverware and packets of Ken's dressing for another time and get right to what's important...the pizza. First off and the reason for my four star review is the tomato (or grated cheese) pie. It was a revelation as good as any I've ever had. Maybe the best but I try to avoid superlatives. The crust wast crispy, flavorful and a little less tough than others in the city. My jaw wasn't sore by the end which is a good thing. The sauce was fresh and bright tasting with a great balance of sweet and tart. I could tell the tomatoes are of high quality and not messed around with. The right amount of grated cheese topped it off. Perfection. Now to the pie with mozz. The crust was still great and the sauce still perfect. But pizza man...just cut the volume of cheese in half. You'll make better margins and the pies will improve drastically. There was so much cheese that the crust became floppy under the weight and grease coming off the cheese. The effect was less pronounced on the half with toppings but the cheese only side was not a thing of beauty. Ernie's is def still worth going too and maybe you like a cheesy slice. But the tomato pie is a thing of beauty that I can't recommend more. Yumm

Fraser F.

Yelp
Pizza is delicious and not too expensive for a family pizzeria! Pretty slow service in the restaurant and they charge per refill on the fountain drinks, but it's our go to for take out! Great & safe gluten free pizza & knowledgeable about how to limit cross contamination

Beverly G.

Yelp
Solid option of the west side of town. I go to Ernie's pizzeria rather than modern pizza most times
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Gail V.

Yelp
A good friend turned me on to Ernie's years ago! She happens to live in Westville and meet there several times a year for just one kind of pizza...Onion!! Had never tried it and am now a true devotee!! Have never had anything else there! I'm am positive that all of the pizzas there MUST be fabulous too, considering the amount of takeout that happens!! The staff is always gracious and friendly...give Ernie's a try... you won't be disappointed
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Renee A.

Yelp
If you're looking for a good pizza, you have to go here. Our waitress was really nice to us first time visitors! We knew it would be good when one table over was a pizza tour group. We didn't want to be nosey to find out where they went but seemed like they were all happy with the pizza. We were too!! We got a meatball and onion pizza and one cheese. The crust on both were so nice and crispy! We'd go back again!!
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Jason P.

Yelp
When I first met Yelp's Matt L a few months ago, I asked him to recommend great New Haven pizza that might be off my radar. His choice -- Ernie's Pizzeria -- was way off my radar. Not anymore. Recently, I ordered a medium onion and sausage pizza for pickup on my way home from downtown NH to Newington. They told me 20 minutes. The Ernie's crew pulled the pizza out of the oven, cut it and boxed it almost right after I arrived. I took some pics in the restaurant, but I was too afraid of mouth burn to try a slice there. I jumped in my car for the 30 minute-ish drive home, and carefully balanced the pizza in the passenger seat to avoid a risk of hot cheese drift. I did some math. I concluded that Exit 66 off Route 15 in Wallingford would give me the best opportunity to try the pizza while it was still hot, but not too hot. I parked in a plaza near Route 15 and took my first bites. What great pizza! It had classic New Haven crust. It was thin. Good charred in some places. Crispy in parts, but still good chewy in parts. The perfectly melted mozzarella blended with the soft onions like good French Onion soup. The sausage was thin sliced rather than crumbled. The sauce was simple and good. With Matt's recommendation, I had great New Haven pizza, but I didn't have to wait in line. Bonus points to Ernie's for being the only great New Haven pizza place I know that's convenient to Route 15. Five Stars
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Shanina S.

Yelp
I'm a pizza lover and I decided to try Ernie's Pizzeria. I ordered a small pizza with half bacon. The pizza was good but the crust was to crispy to the point it hurt the top of my mouth so I couldn't really enjoy the pizza. The customer service was a little off putting. The waitress came by my table several times and took other people's order but kept passing by my table and not even asking if I needed anything. Another waitress came by my table and took my order. The pizza took about thirty five minutes to come out but it had good flavors. I wouldn't put up there in the top five pizza restaurants in New Haven but it's good pizza.
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Shayla C.

Yelp
I had such high hopes for this spot...unfortunately missed the mark - pizza and service. We ordered take-out this past Saturday night (take-out). After walking in, the waitstaff were sitting and conversing amongst themselves. Didn't even attempt to get up, greet us or cash us out. Totally uninterested. Another waitress who was actually taking care of tables stopped and asked us if we've been helped, my husband told her we have not and she then proceeded to cash us out. The pizza itself was just lacking. From the lack of bacon topping to the cheese to sauce ratio. Just not very good especially for New Haven pizza. Needless to say, I have plenty of leftovers.
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Jay S.

Yelp
Ernie's Pizza is delicious New Haven style pizza. Their crust is thin,and crispy with the outside of the crust crispy with a soft center. Cooked to perfection without charring the crust. I also love their tomato sauce, and nice thick topping of cheese. Their pizza is consistently good because the owner does it all. He spreads the dough,adds the toppings, and bakes it. It's all about a quality product not about sales. If you want a great New Haven Pizza give Ernie's a try you won't be disappointed.

Michael T.

Yelp
I really had high hopes for Erine's since Dave Portnoy gave them a 7.9 score, but after trying their pizza myself, I'm fully convinced that Portnoy's taste buds must be off. Erine's pizza is unedible. When a glass of water has more seasoning than the pizza, then you know something is wrong. For goodness sakes, the sauce and the crust taste like nothing, and it was burnt in spite of it all. I must tell it like it is, the sausage taste like (fill in the blank_____!). The only redeeming quality was the copious amount of cheese that was piled on the pie, but then again, what's the point when the other elements of the pizza were beyond redemption, and just plan hideous. I sincerely don't know how Erine's is still in business, and I'm offended that a business would have the audacity to serve anyone a product this heinous. For goodness sakes, Papa John's and Pizza Hut taste like gourmet pizza compared to this. So with that said, if you decide to go on the New Haven Apizza tour, skip this place at all cost. Erine's pizza literally is one of the worst things I ever put in my mouth, and I threw the pizza in the trash as soon as I got home. That's a review.
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Louis L.

Yelp
Located outside of the traditional Little Italy of New Haven, this more recent addition to the pizza scene (1971) is a total delight. You have a family friendly vibe and atmosphere. It wasn't too crowded, and you get the feeling it hasn't updated it's decor since it opened (in a good way). The staff was friendly, the food came out in a decent amount of time, and everything was tasty. Unlike the more traditional places, these pizzas were pretty perfectly round, and had a thicker crust. We got one with mozzarella and they asked if we wanted it with basil and garlic. I highly recommend you do it. When we ordered it, our waitress said "live large!" and I thought that was fun. On the other one we got pepperoni. It didn't stand out. We actually preferred the mozzarella pie with basil and garlic. Not very "New Haven" if what you are looking for is the type you find in Little Italy, but this was good. Added bonus: they have saloon doors that lead you to the bathrooms. Who doesn't love saloon doors?
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JJ S.

Yelp
A classic New Haven pizzeria! The waitresses were friendly and accommodating, and the pizza was unique and delicious. With decor authentically straight out of the '80s, I was delighted to eat here. While there was a small wait for the food to arrive, the taste of the pizza pie was worth it.
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Nicole D.

Yelp
Great pizza that has been around for decades and I see why! They keep it simple and good. Pizza!!!! The best in life. We were with a group so they ordered pepperoni, sausage and a veggie pizza. It was very good. This place will have to be in our rotation. It's certainly doesn't stand out on the street but there is constant business and the take out orders kept coming. I am looking forward to tasting their regular cheese . Our waitress was very nice and took a group photo for us. Prices are also very good. I got a glimpse of their kitchen and it was super clean! You don't see that often lol.
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Y Z.

Yelp
Outside of New Haven, on the side of a busy road, you can find this little gem. Unlike the tourist attractions in Little Italy, this is a neighborhood pizza place where you can find great pizza with a lot of different types and flavors. The owner is very friendly, the place is always hopping with locals. In my experience this is one of the top 5 pizza places in New Haven area. The atmosphere is very family friendly, a great place to have dinner after a hard day of work. My favorite is the Ernie's special. Highly recommended.
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Catherine C.

Yelp
Ernie's Pizza is a welcoming establishment with a cozy atmosphere. I love the comfortable booths and welcoming family vibe that the waitstaff and restaurant give off. Most importantly, the pizza is delicious. I know red sauce can be a dealbreaker for a lot of people when it comes to pizza, but this sauce was amazing and very flavorful. You're able to order one pizza and customize each half. We tried half cheese and half onion, mushroom and bacon. Both were obviously very different but equally delicious! I recommend that you include Ernie's Pizza if you're planning on doing the New Haven pizza tour. (Just a note to those who are environmentally conscious, the time I went, my pizza and salad were served with one time use paper plates with plastic utensils).
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Taylor K.

Yelp
One of the best places in New Haven that's overlooked for pizza. If you like your pizza crispy, this is the place to be. The owner is the only one who makes the pizza and he's an expert. Service is great and staff is friendly. The wait can be long!

Dave S.

Yelp
I have to say our experience at Ernie's was less than good. After waiting an hour for the sausage pizza to get to our table it showed up burned. We know the difference between NH char and burn, this was "burn". Being our first time at Ernie's and after reading all the good reviews we were very disappointed. The crust was bone dry and the mootz was dark dark brown. The fact that it took an hour to get the pie, clearly something was wrong. Unfortunately for us rather than say something was wrong our server put the pie on the table and off she went. With all the great Apizza in our area why would I ever go back?

Sally D.

Yelp
Amazing place! Went with a group and ordered several pizzas and they were all great. Homemade meatball and onion pizza is the best! Sausage pizza is also incredible. Piping hot, crisp crust and perfect ratio of sauce, cheese and toppings. The owner and pizza maker extraordinaire took time to talk to us and was so gracious. Will definitely be back when we return to the area!

Andy D.

Yelp
Amazing Pizza. Stopped in and the staff and food was excellent. I'd eat here everyday of the week over the chain restaurants. Awesome!
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Lb Y.

Yelp
Amazing pizza. The basil mozzarella was excellent. Service was great and family friendly.
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Julio S.

Yelp
I've driven by this restaurant for decades never giving it a thought. Recently a friend mentioned this pizzeria as a hidden gem. So I had to give it a shot. I typically order a cheese pizza at a new place to get feel for the quality of the pie. I also ordered a sausage and onion as my second pie. I will say it was a good pie but did not wow me. The pies are thicker crust than I am accustomed to in New Haven. The pie was loaded with cheese almost giving it a Greek pizza feel. I am big on pizza sauce flavor and consistency. Unfortunately, my pies did not have much sauce mostly cheese and ingredients. The sausage was bland for my taste and sliced versus crumbled. The restaurant was good size with plenty of seating. It's located in Westville which makes access easier for me. It has private parking which is plentiful. It's inside decoration is dated with big dining area. Service was good for my pick up order. I may have to give this restaurant another try with dine in service next time.
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Joe C.

Yelp
Disappointed Everyone has different preferences for pizza. This was sadly average. Not bad, but not great. Yes, ingredients are fresh, but just so-so tasting. Agree with earlier comment, dough needs a bit of salt. We were told this was one of the pillars of New Haven, but it really doesn't hold up to the greats. Service was very pleasant and the place definitely has that 70's pizzeria setup. We won't be back. PS: Check out Olde World Apizza in North Haven far superior
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Leah S.

Yelp
We immediately felt welcomed by the homey, intimate feel at Ernie's Pizzeria the moment we walked through the door. We had no issue grabbing a table on a week night and there immediately was a waitress eager to greet us once we sat down. The tossed salads to start were generously portioned. We had large appetites and each ate our own, however they could easily be shared amongst two people. Ernie's take on New Haven style pizza was most noticeable when biting into a thicker crust. We loved the fresh garlic, but were disappointed the mushrooms appeared to come from a can. After dining at Ernie's it was clear how they have been open for over fifty years. We look forward to going back to try other toppings!
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Matthew L.

Yelp
Ernie's Pizzeria is a New Haven-style pizzeria that opened in New Haven, Connecticut in August 1971. It was founded by Ernesto "Ernie" DeRiso: an immigrant from Amalfi, Italy. Ernie arrived in New York City in 1956 after a major storm had destroyed his family's lemon grove in the Amalfi Coast. His cousin was Michele "Mike" Buonocore (founder of Mike's Apizza in West Haven). Mike picked up Ernie by car, drove him to his pizzeria, and slapped an apron on him. It was at Mike's pizzeria where Ernie learned the art of pizza making; he soon became one of the lead pizzaioli at the restaurant. Ernie left Mike's Apizza in 1963 and then began working at Vinnie's Apizza in Milford (owned by Vinnie & Julie Vellecco). Throughout the rest of the 1960s, Ernie found himself making pies at Sorrento's Pizzeria in Hamden, as well as the New Haven location of Mike's Apizza. When he got word that a pizzeria had shut down in the Westville section of New Haven, he seized the opportunity to open his own pizzeria and named it for himself. Ernie ran the pizzeria for several years with his wife Jennie. Eventually their son Pat joined the operation. In 1989, Ernie and Jennie retired and Pat bought the business from them. Ernie still helped out around the pizzeria for several years until he passed away in September 2019 at age 88. His legacy lives on through his son. Pat DeRiso has helped to shape the pizzeria to be nationally recognized for the quality and taste of their pizza. My wife and I have visited Ernie's several times over the years. My wife lived in Westville when we first began dating, and the pizzeria was just a short walk from her apartment. Our best experience there was when we took a cooking class with Pat that was sponsored by 'Taste of New Haven'. Not only did we learn a lot, but we even got to make our own pizzas. We'll continue to eat at Ernie's for years and years!
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Marina W.

Yelp
Listen, nothing is good about sitting in NYC gridlock traffic except for being able to look forward to this pizza. We stopped by after deciding on a dinner break in New Haven (for pizza, duh) and seeing the high reviews. I love they they will take a reservation. I admit, I had my questions when I called on a Saturday evening and they had tables available but I am not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. The pizza is excellent and I wish I had ordered one to go to eat the next day. I didn't, and I have learned from my mistakes. I was a creep and was listening to the table next to me talk about how only Pat makes the pizzas and if he's sick, they're closed. The unsustainability of that business model aside, let's just say the man knows how to make a pizza. I will gladly come in whenever I'm in the area for pizza and a beer. Thank you, Ernie's, for brightening up a very long drive.
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Seamus O.

Yelp
Pizza is very good but very very very slow for eat in customers. Not sure what's up. Also not a fan of the Ken's salad dressing packets. The balsamic looked like melted chocolate. Yuck. Make a vinaigrette or something good - it's not hard.
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Kelly K.

Yelp
In a world where everything is closing early and sacrificing quality by cutting corners, in a state notorious for it's pizza, Ernie's is celebrating 50 years in business and if you've ever been here you don't even need to read this to know why. I learned about Ernie's from an exbf about 15 years ago and it was the best thing that came out of that relationship. This is a family owned and operated business and it feels like it in the best way when you walk in. Completely unpretentious, immaculately clean, old school pizza place where you can bring a first date or all of your kids and be treated exactly the same way. Every time I come here (which is not frequently enough to be a regular by any means so this is just how they treat everyone) someone immediately says hello and asks how they can help me - in a friendly tone. Weird to have to write that but that's not so common anymore, except here. Pics attached are of this adorable pizza cutting set that they gifted customers to celebrate their 50 year anniversary. What business does that anymore?? The other pic is the pizza that slid off my passenger seat twice on my way home (and not only survived but still looks photo ready - those of you that had to go along for the pizza ride as children and hold the hot pie as it scorched your legs on the way home know what a feat this is). And yes, Im super fat about it and literally ate a piece on my way home because its just that good and Im all about the instant gratification. Don't judge me, go get this pizza!
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Justin O.

Yelp
Amazing pizza made by a guy who clearly knows what he's doing and has love for the craft. Definitely one of the best in the area and every bit as good if not better than the big 3. Service was impeccable and our waitress was super down to earth and relatable. Will be back sooner than later
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Trixie G.

Yelp
Wanted to add pictures. Go you will be doing a Happy dance. Added to a previous post. Again just go get some pizza it is GOOD.

Maria S.

Yelp
We finally made it to Ernie's and so glad we did! We have been in the pizza business many years so know the hard work and dedication put into run a great place with a great product. The pizza was delicious, service was great and the owner so nice! Brought me back to my childhood growing up in the business. My father pride himself on great pizza, clean environment and hospitality. We found that here! Can't wait to go back.

Dianne S.

Yelp
Good pizza! Not the "best" ever, but very filling. The pizzas are huge and very filling. Normally, my family can devour 2 large pizzas in a sitting. 2 pizzas from Ernie's lasted 2 days. Definitely worth a try!
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Efrain E.

Yelp
For over 50 years, Ernie's Pizzeria has been laboring tirelessly in the shadows of some of New Haven's other more popular pizza restaurants. Those in the know knew about them but they never got the big public accolades of a Pepe's or Sally's. Well I'm here to tell u that Ernie's Pizzeria has what it takes to be mentioned among the greats. We got the half Mozzarella half Sausage pizza. It was mouth watering from the moment the waitress placed it on the table. Deeeelicious!!! My 7 yr old and I totally demolished that pizza. For my daughter to eat 4 slices in one sitting is saying something. She's only 7!!! The waitress was super friendly and accommodating. Even gave my daughter a lollipop at the end. Little gestures like that go a long way. The mid-afternoon crowd were all over 40. My kind of crowd lol. Price was super reasonable. Ernie's is a solid part of the Connecticut Pizza lineup that makes Connecticut the pizza capital of the world. Fast service compared to some of their better known competition. Great overall solid pizza joint. They are on my official roster of places I will be frequenting on a regular basis. Do yourself a favor and check them out. As my pix will attest. They are 100% kid Approved

Laura Z.

Yelp
Always great pizza! Crust is nice and crispy. Generous with their toppings. Call early in case they have a long wait. They get busy!
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Frank K.

Yelp
I was there yesterday and this place is elite along with Zuppardis and Modern. Everything was on point. I had the 12 inch Pie with Bacon and Hot Cherry Pepoers. So damn tasty. Super nice people in there.