I had been eyeing Sally's Apizza for months, mentally putting it on my "must try" list every time I drove by. Yesterday was the perfect occasion. My sisters came up from NJ and we were going to see a show at the planetarium at Sacred Heart. They left NJ early to beat rush hour traffic and got to my place in Norwalk before 3:30. We picked up my friend Deb were at Sally's by 4. The stars seemed perfectly aligned. I had considered taking them to Frank Pepe's, as I love their white clam pizza. Opted for Sally's instead as they served drinks, I thought it might be more festive, and it finally gave me a chance to see for myself what all the buzz was about. I regret that decision.
I was appalled at how poorly the establishment was run. The timing was abysmal. There is no excuse for such bad service on a Friday at 4 PM in a less than half-full restaurant. Our waitress was very personable but not very knowledgable. It took 10 minutes to get an unsatisfactory response to a question about a menu item. It took 40 minutes before we were even able to put in our order. I am by no means a difficult customer and can and often do excuse a lot, but I had to send back the complimentary bottle of water. It took me a minute to figure out the reason it tasted so bad was because there was rancid oil coating the inside of the bottle.
It was as if there were no communication between the waitress, the kitchen, and the bar. I noticed at least half a dozen employees in a circle near the bar jovially chatting. Was the manager holding a staff meeting? As our dining experience progressed I could not fathom how there could be such a lack of coordination.
As far as the food goes, another major disappointment. First came a house salad, which was nicely dressed and very good. The arancini were a disaster. I don't know exactly what was in or under it (my earlier inquiry), but it unnecessarily complicated a wonderful simple street food, tasted sour, and was just plain bad. The garlic shrimp were delicious but way too spicy. In all fairness, the menu did indicate hot pepper but should really warn how spicy it is. No one else ate them but me. I have a greater tolerance and was so hungry. Deb said her Arugula salad and shrimp was like eating dry grass. A couple minutes later the pizzas arrived. This is a pet peeve of mine -- waiting a long time for food to arrive and then it all coming at once and the main course gets cold. This is an Italian restaurant. Don't they know about the tradition of well-timed courses?
When ordering, my sister implored the waitress that the pizza not be too charred after seeing what arrived at the booth next to us. She explained she really can't tolerate it. Ours arrived very charred, not just along the edges but also the bottom. I felt so bad because I knew how hungry she was and how little she actually was able to eat. The tomato and cheese pie was least charred. It was just ok; nothing to brag about. The potato and rosemary pizza was also sub par as the potato was too raw. The clam pizza was mediocre at best and couldn't hold a candle to that of Frank Pepe's.
The beer I had ordered earlier, specifying I wanted to have it with the pizza, never came. I had a Sicilian Margarita during our long wait, which my sister had ordered and it was very refreshing. We did devour the cannoli cream pie. It was good but I think mostly because they'd eaten so little of the appetizers and main meal. Before dessert my sister ordered a glass of wine, which when the check came still hadn't been delivered. I was just about to ask it be removed from the bill when another staff member brought it just as we were ready to leave.
To say the meal was a disappointment is an understatement. Quite frankly I was embarrassed that I had taken them here. Then angry that I spent $225 for the four of us, which is expensive if the food and service had been good. But both had been awful. It's no exaggeration to say that I have a much better meal of two slices of Planet Pizza's Grandma's pie...
Read moreSally's Pizza, a beloved institution in the world of pizza, has expanded its horizons with a location in Fairfield, Connecticut. I had the privilege of visiting this new establishment and can confidently say that it lives up to the legacy of its iconic original location in New Haven, while offering something new and exciting.
One of the first things that struck me upon entering Sally's Fairfield was the inviting atmosphere. The owners have managed to strike a balance between maintaining the traditional charm of the original location and creating a modern, comfortable dining experience. The warm, dimly lit interior, adorned with vintage pizza memorabilia, instantly transports you to a place where pizza holds a special place in the hearts of many.
Of course, the heart and soul of Sally's has always been its pizza, and Fairfield is no exception. Their historic best pizza remains a masterpiece of simplicity and flavor. The thin, coal-fired crust, the perfect amount of tomato sauce, and the finest quality mozzarella cheese are all still there, making every bite a mouthwatering delight. It's clear that Sally's commitment to their craft has remained unwavering.
What truly impressed me about the new location was the expanded menu that goes beyond their renowned pizza. Sally's Fairfield offers a wide selection of alternative offerings, from delectable cocktails to enticing appetizers and hearty entrees. The cocktail menu is thoughtfully curated, featuring signature drinks that pair perfectly with their pizza and other dishes. Whether you prefer a classic Negroni or a creative craft cocktail, you won't be disappointed.
The appetizers and entrees at Sally's Fairfield are equally impressive. The appetizer menu boasts a variety of choices, including the mouthwatering arancini and the fresh caprese salad. For those seeking a heartier meal, the entrees do not disappoint. From the flavorful chicken parmesan to the perfectly cooked seafood linguine, there's something to satisfy every palate.
In conclusion, Sally's Pizza in Fairfield, CT, is a great addition to the culinary scene in the area. The new location manages to capture the essence of the original while offering an enhanced dining experience with a broader menu. Whether you're a long-time fan of Sally's or a newcomer, this new establishment is sure to delight your taste buds and leave you craving more. Sally's Pizza in Fairfield is not just a pizza joint; it's a dining destination...
Read moreI made an 8pm reservation for 1/14/23 …arrived at 7:35pm and checked in with the hostess stating “I know we arrived early, but just wanted to check in” they stated “okay no problem, we have a few tables leaving so we can try to seat you early.” I watched 2 parties of 2 and a party of 4 get sat before us… one of the parties came in with no reservation… another with an 8pm reservation as well was sat.. I did not get seated until 8:15 (which would have been fine- it was busy as it was a Saturday night, but watching other parties get sat who were also walk-ins was the tipping point). After the hostess sat these parties, they asked me “are you on the waitlist?” This hostess is the same hostess I checked in with. I was never checked in, had to remind them of my reservation (even though I was standing in front of the hostess stand the entire time watching the two hostesses converse with other staff, dance, and continuously type on the iPad without paying attention to the people waiting). I have worked as a hostess before and this by far was unbelievably unprofessional. There was no apology or sense of awareness that I had been waiting… texting other parties saying their table was ready when they did not have a reservation and had a 45 minute wait… I give 3 stars because the pizza was amazing and our server was great. The hostess alone almost made me walk out and not return. I will definitely sit at the bar next time to avoid the hostess stand if I...
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