Former Naugatuck Pizza Shop Co-Owner Opens New Place In Stratford

STRATFORD, CT — Stratford recently welcomed a new spot to grab a slice in town. Di Roma's Pizza & Italian Eatery has been serving up pizza, pasta and other Italian dishes since it opened last month.

Owner Arben "Benny" Ajruli said his restaurant, which offers pickup and delivery only, makes its sauce and dough from scratch. In addition to pizza and pasta, Di Roma's offers salads, grinders, focaccia and more.

"I've been in this business my whole life," said Ajruli, who lives in Waterbury and previously co-owned Vinny's Restaurant & Pizzeria in Naugatuck.

Menu highlights include the Di Roma special — a pizza with spinach, feta, garlic, chopped tomato, mozzarella, parmesan and spices — as well as the lasagna, chicken parmesan with pasta, and boneless wings, Ajruli said. Mayor Laura Hoydick, who attended a ribbon cutting for the eatery Nov. 6, recommended the clams casino pizza and the Di Roma special.

"We're happy to welcome Di Roma Pizza to Stratford," Hoydick said.

Ajruli said he chose his Stratford storefront at 817 Success Ave., which is in a mainly residential area, because he liked the diversity of the neighborhood and thought his business would be a good fit for the town.

"I'm just very thankful to be part of this community," he said, noting that so far residents have been receptive to the restaurant.

One such resident was Matthew Baber, who was at Di Roma's the day of the ribbing cutting. Baber said he lives nearby and has frequently patronized the eatery since it opened Oct. 7. He said he enjoys the pizza and pasta, as well as the customer service.

"They're so nice here — very, very friendly," he said.

Prior to Di Roma's moving in, the Success Avenue space had been home to a different pizza place and a Chinese restaurant, according to Hoydick.

For more information about Di Roma's, call 203-612-7797 or visit www.diromaspizzastratford.com.