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Voting officially opened for the "Pizza Capital Trail" on Friday, Mar. 14, in honor of National Pi Day. Pizza lovers can vote for their favorite spots, with only the top 100 making the final trail.
Residents can vote daily through Thursday, May 1 at PizzaCapitalTrail.com. Voters can select up to 10 restaurants per day.
Gov. Ned Lamont unveiled the push to cement the Constitution State's status as the "Pizza Capital of the US" on Friday, Feb. 7 – two days before National Pizza Day.
"Connecticut pizza isn't just food, it's a way of life," the governor said. "From New Haven to Hartford to Mystic, our pizza culture is unmatched, and these initiatives will make sure the whole world knows it.
"This isn't just about great sauce and slices – it's about the stories, traditions, and rivalries that have made Connecticut the beating heart of America's pizza culture.”
The state government is cooking up other ways to highlight Connecticut's deep pizza roots.
New Haven Pizza Club founder Michael Pollack created a large art piece made from the highway signs proclaiming Connecticut as the country's pizza capital. The 9-by-6-foot sign is on display at Tweed New Haven Airport.
Pollack also customized three pairs of pizza-themed Air Jordan sneakers. The shoes will be auctioned in June to benefit the Feeding Families Foundation.
The artist even designed a "pizza throne" out of highway signs, which can be found in District on James Street in New Haven.
"I wanted to create something that truly captures the passion Connecticut has for its pizza – not just as food, but as a cultural experience," said Pollack. "This project is for everyone – locals, visitors, and die-hard pizza fanatics alike. Because once you experience apizza, you don't just eat it – you become part of its story.”
Taste of New Haven, which offers pizza tours in the Elm City, is also hoping to break the Guinness World Record for "largest pizza party" at the Apizza Feast on Friday, Sept. 12.
"New York can have its apple pie and New Jersey its pork roll, but in Connecticut, it's all about pizza," said Colin Caplan from Taste of New Haven. "Pizza, a multibillion-dollar industry, is not only a big part of our economy, but it has come to symbolize our state pride and our great taste. Here pizza is meant to be shared, and we can all share in the accolades these mom-and-pop restaurants have achieved."
Connecticut has 1,376 pizzerias and, unsurprisingly, New Haven leads with 63 restaurants, according to the state comptroller's office. The state also is first in the nation for pizzerias per capita and locally owned pizza shops.
You can click here to vote for your favorite pizzerias in the "Pizza Capital Trail" vote.
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