The True Backstory of Mystic Pizza

I recently reviewed my favorite Pizza Movies of all time. You can watch the review here.

One of the films I mention is Mystic Pizza.

Mystic Pizza was somewhat of a cult movie in that it launched the career of Julia Roberts, who had a leading role in the film. Also featured was Anabeth Gish, and Lili Taylor.

The film is less of a pizza movie and more of a coming of age movie analyzing the cultural and female struggles of three high school friends who work at a pizza place. While pizza is featured in the movie, pizza is more of a backdrop for the relationship story. It really is an innocent movie.

And I did enjoy it...

Although, I give Mystic Pizza, an honorable mention, I may have to re-think my position after uncovering an article published in The Day Newspaper (New London, Connecticut) on Sunday October, 19, 2008. The story written by Kenton Robinson, was an eye opener.

Mystic, itself has a piece of my heart because I grew up and went to high school in Southeastern Connecticut. I recognize where the scenes were filmed. The area is quite beautiful with lots of New England charm.

My brother and sister-in-law live in Mystic.

I have countless friends who have remained in Southeastern Connecticut. Although I haven't lived there for many years, I can't deny it is still part of my life.

But the facts surrounding the film is what really amazed me.

Here's what I learned from Kenton's story:

• Mystic Pizza's original name was Ted's Place. The Zelepo's family bought the pizzeria from Ted and changed the name. ("There's no Ted here. Let's call it Mystic Pizza.")
  
• A 19 year old Julia Roberts, Anabeth Gish (16), and Lili Taylor (20), tried to buy beer at Mystic Pizza but were turned down because they did not have an ID.
  
  ("But we're in the movie," they explained. John Zelepos, who waited on them, said: "Well I'll see you on the Big Screen". They never did get their beer.)

  
  

• The number of pizzas served during peak Summer hours: 600.
  
• Number of menus stolen each year: 30,000.
  
• In 1987, there were the three Zelepos who worked there (John, his mother and father) and three waitresses. Now there is a staff of 65. My how things have changed.
  
• The owners of Mystic Pizza never received a penny in compensation for allowing film producers to use the name Mystic Pizza.
  
  As a matter of fact John Zelepos, owner of Mystic Pizza, stated: "We let them use our name. We didn't charge them any money for it. We didn't think it was going to be big or nothing. We said 'As long as it isn't a porno movie or nothing like that'".

Originally the producers wanted to rent Mystic Pizza for six months, during the course of the filming. The owner said: no way. People may forget about us in six months.

The producers filmed elsewhere.

How is the pizza at Mystic Pizza? Some locals and visitors claim it really is "A Slice of Heaven".

In honor of the 20th Anniversary of the film, the State of Connecticut Tourism Bureau created a document, which will allow you to visit all of the actual locations used in the movie. It's a great resource with lots of behind the scenes information. You can download the "Mystic Pizza 20th Anniversary Movie Trail" pdf. here.
(Right click and save)

You can also visit with me as I explore Southeastern Connecticut. Connecticut videos at my Connecticut Page at pizzatherapy.com

Of special note is my Abbot's Lobster in the Rough Video. One of my favorite lobster places of all time, located in Noank, Connecticut, the next town over from Mystic.

So if you get a chance, see Mystic Pizza again. And if you haven't seen it, you are in for a treat!

pizza in Mystic,

albert grande
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Pepe's Opens New Pizzeria: Manchester, Connecticut

I got an email from my friend Gary Bimonte, co-owner of Pepe's Pizzeria Napolentana.
Gary was featured on Legends of Pizza, Volume 1. He explained how his grandfather, Frank Pepe created the legendary clam pizza.

Gary was excited to give me the news that Pepe's had opened another pizzeria in Manchester, Connecticut.

Here is the address: 221 Buckland Hills Drive, Manchester, CT. The phone number is: 860-644-7333.

Pepe's has always been a family owned operation and it continues to be a family operation.
During my Legends of Pizza, Volume 1., interview, Gary discussed how the family had decided to take Pepe's in a different direction. Pepe's opened it's first restaurant outside of New Haven in Fairfield, Connecticut. It was an immediate success. Lines were out the door with loyal customers screaming for more pizza.

For over 80 years, Pepe's Pizza, was limited to Wooster Street, in New Haven. Then suddenly they were in Fairfield. Now they have expanded to Manchester.

One of the best features about Pepe's is their coal fired oven. Would there be a coal fired oven at the Fairfield and Manchester locations?

Gary answered this in Legends of Pizza, Volume 1. The answer was a resounding yes.

Pepe's is one of the only restaurants in the state of Connecticut that is able to be grandfathered in. The state has allowed Pepe's to install brand new coal fired ovens.

Good luck, Gary and family. I want to wish you the absolute best. I know the pizzas will continue to be incredible and unforgettable!

For more information on Pepe's, please visit their brand new website, at this link:
http://www.pepespizzeria.com/

A priceless feature on the Pepe's home page is a video of Frank Pepe making pizza! Also, make sure you go to the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) There you will find an answer to the most asked question at Pizza Therapy:

Does Pepe's deliver? The answer is no...
(There are exceptions to every rule: Read this archived post: Does Pepe's Deliver?)

You can get a free copy of my World Famous Pizza Dough recipe by signing up for Pizza News at: http://pizzatherapy.com/ (Pizza Therapy)

Pizza on Earth,

Albert
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Sally's Apizza on the Internet

It was one of those special emails that you get.

Sally's Apizza, located on Wooster Street in New Haven,
Connecticut was officially on the Internet.

I like to think in some small way, pizzatherapy.com
assisted the process. Sally's is like no other pizzeria in the World.

(Hey, I'm not getting in the middle of a Pepe's vs. Sally's debate here...
I'm to smart for that....to see what I'm talking about click on the link above. Or just Click Here)
Let's just say, there are people who love Pepe's and there are those who love Sally's

I love them both...

Here is the email:

"Hi Pizza Therapy:
I 'm delighted to annouce to the world that Sallys Apizza
in New Haven, Connecticut now has a website, with pictures even and the menu.
Here is the link:
http://sallysapizza.net/default.aspx
This development was prompted by the pizza lovers of the Yale Class of 1987 who, before their twentieth reunion to New Haven, contacted Sallys (by using the pizza therapy website to check out some details) and suggested to Debbie Consiglio of the Sallys family that a website would be just the ticket!
cheers,
Yale Class of '87 organizer
(Jim Lande in Washington DC)

My response:
Thanks for sharing this Jim... the Sally's website is a true labor of love!

Here is another email I recieved from another Jim about Sally's:

I explain the following facts (although some may no longer be true):

• Sally's is open from 5 pm to 10 pm daily except on Monday's.
• It does not serve lunch.
• It serves thin-crust pizza exclusively.
• No salads, no calzones, no pasta, no pan pizza.
• It serves no hard liquor or wine. It serves two varieties of beer, bottle only and no beer on tap.
• It serves generic soda and no Coke or Pepsi.
• It does not serve by the slice.
• It does not deliver.
• Parking is difficult at best and sometimes one must park 1/4 mile away.
• Sally's has never had a special or discount prices nor has it ever offered coupons, ever.
• The interior is not elegant in any way and looks today much like it looked 50 years ago.
• The wait staff is not the friendliest, and when a waiter comes to your table you better be ready to order or the waiter will leave and not come back for 20 minutes.
• And, to top it all off, there is never less than a one to two hour wait to get into the establishment and often another 30-45 minutes to finally get your pizza.
• Often the wait is outside in the dead of winter.

Just imagine any pizza place in Ohio, Florida, Texas or any other part of the country or world! If they initiated all the conditions above, how soon would they go out of business."

Now if you ever happen to find yourself in New Haven, head right down to Wooster Street.
You will not be disappointed!

pizza on earth,
Albert Grande
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