Rick Nuzzo Formerly of East Haven's Apizza Grande Opens New Location in Bethany

The Nuzzo family has been in the pizza business for 52 years, starting in New Haven where some of the best pies in the country are made. 

Rick Nuzzo formerly operated Apizza Grande restaurant in East Haven, until he moved the restuarant to a new location in Cheshire three years ago.

He just expanded to Bethany where the restaurant will be mostly takeout. He also owns a location in North Haven.

Pizza is in Nuzzo’s blood. "I’ve been doing this since I was five years old, and I’m 56," he said. "I’ve been doing it a long time."

"You say Grande Apizza in New Haven and everybody knows it," Nuzzo said, adding that they specialize in Napolitan style thin crust pizza.

His younger brother, Michael Nuzzo, owns Shoreline Grande Apizza in Clinton and his older brother, David Nuzzo, moved to Sedona, Arizona, and opened a pizzeria, Pizza Heaven, in that city.

His uncle, Nick Nuzzo, bought Modern Apizza in New Haven in 1953, and his father, Fred Nuzzo, worked there until opening the first Grande Apizza in 1955.

Nuzzo also operates a pizza trailer for home catering. With two ovens he can make 18 pizzas at a time, serving them custom made and hot.

What’s special about New Haven pizza?

"I’ve eaten pizza everywhere," Nuzzo said. "I’m a pizza freak."

In fact, everywhere he travels, he makes a point of ordering pizza just to taste what they’ve got.

"But I’ve never eaten pizza that’s better than New Haven pizza," he added.

(Editor's note: This article has been revised to include information that the Nuzzo's East Haven store was closed three years ago and moved to Cheshire.)