Giuseppe's Italian Pizzeria on New Haven Road Since 1991

Naugatuck, CT - Giuseppe’s Italian Pizzeria was established in August of 1991. I knew that it had been around a long while, because it was one of my late aunt’s favorite places to take me and the boys when they were young. I have always enjoyed the “fine Italian food” that is on the menu, and every once in awhile treat my family to a take-out pizza. The staff always offer patrons something to drink while they wait for their order, which I have always appreciated. I remember this pizzeria providing pizzas for some PTO event in which teachers served the slices; they efficiently kept hot pizzas coming throughout the evening event.

What I did not remember was that Giuseppe’s offers such a wide variety of appetizers, salads, pasta, grinders, calzones, burgers, wraps and dinners. Wine by the glass and beer is also available for those who like it with their dinner. There are also two nights of the week when they offer All You Can Eat Specials that are dine in only. Tuesday nights featured spaghetti with meat sauce for $7.95 or with red or white clam sauce for $10.95. On Wednesday nights, they serve ziti and garlic bread with meat sauce for $8.95 or with clam sauce in red or white for 11.95. Prices do not include sales tax. A free pitcher of beer is offered with any large or small pizza only for those that eat-in at the pizzeria.

Giuseppe’s specializes in thin crust pizza, which has always been my favorite kind. Pizzas are available in mini, small and large. Topping available (which are also offered as fillings for calzones and stuffed breads) include sausage, meatballs, bacon, eggplant, onions, peppers, mushrooms, olives, pepperoni, ham, spinach, broccoli, sliced tomato, salami, pineapple, garlic, hot cherry peppers, anchovies, provolone cheese, and basil. There is also the option of thick crust and gluten free.

Specialty pizzas include mashed potatoes, white pie, margarita, buffalo chicken, breaded or grilled chicken, shrimp scampi in red or white, red clam or white clam with garlic (ricotta, parm and mozz) and Giuseppe’s Special Garbage or Veggie. Calzones may be ordered with three cheese, the same special versions or with additional fillings for an addition charge. Stuffed breads with any single filling are $12.95 with the option for additional fillings.

Appetizers on the menu include fried mozz, garlic or parmigiana bread, fried dough, fried ravioli, eggplant rollatini (love it!,) fried calamari, jalapeno poppers, wings in hot, mild or barbecue varieties, buffalo chicken fingers, and fresh mozz with tomato. The appetizer sampler will let you taste wings, poppers, fried mozz and fried ravioli. Soups can be ordered in a cup or a bowl.

Salads are available in small or large sizes. There is a tossed or Caesar salad, chef, breaded chicken and broccoli, grilled chicken and broccoli, provolone, antipasto, buffalo chicken or grilled chicken Caesar salad and a wide variety of salad dressings are available. Sides offered are fries, sausage, meatballs, pasta, a loaf of delicious homemade bread and a pound of homemade pizza dough to take home.

Pasta shapes include spaghetti, ziti, linguine, angel hair, and cavatelli, all served with red sauce or either clam sauce flavors for an extra charge. Garlic and oil sauce with broccoli can also be ordered with grilled or breaded chicken or sausage. Macaroni and cheese, buffalo chicken mac and cheese, lobster ravioli in vodka sauce, ravioli, and shrimp scampi are also listed under pasta. Fettuccini alfredo and penne ala vodka are also offered and you may add grilled or breaded chicken or shrimp for an extra charge.The Ziti Giuseppe’s includes black olives, spinach, tomato, and ricotta and sounds delicious. So many choices, so little time for us pasta lovers.

Grinders can be made as a whole or half grinder on a hard roll. They offer the classic meatball parmigiana, sausage parmigiana, veal parm (with veal chunks,) eggplant parmigiana, chicken parmigiana, Italian cold cut combo, ham and cheese, pepper and egg, BLT, breaded chicken, grilled chicken, turkey breast, roast beef, Philly cheese steak and tuna melt.

For those that prefer a burger with fries may order a hamburger, cheeseburger or a bacon cheeseburger. Wraps include grilled chicken caesar, steak and cheese, turkey, veggie, tuna or buffalo chicken.

And there dinners that are served with tossed or caesar salad or a side of pasta. Dinners include chicken marsala over penne, meatball and pepper, sausage and peppers, veal parm, chicken parmigiana, baked ziti, stuffed shells, eggplant rollatini, eggplant parmigiana, tortellini parmigiana, stuffed peppers, shrimp parmigiana, lasagna and manicotti. I think most pasta lovers could find something they like on this list.

Soda is offered with free refills, or Foxon Park bottled sodas, pitchers of soda, beer, or draft beer (pint,) milk, coffee or tea. There are several beers sold by the bottle and wine is offered by the glass. Dessert is cannoli pie.

The catering menu is available in half tray or full tray versions. You may choose from antipasto, tossed salad, wings, ziti, baked ziti, sausage and peppers, meatballs, lasagna, baked chicken, chicken marsala, eggplant parmigiana, chicken parmigiana, penne ala vodka and roasted red potatoes. Party subs are also available.

Giuseppe’s is open Monday - Saturday from 11:00am for lunch through 10:00pm. On Sunday, they are open from 2:00pm to 9:00pm. The phone number, which I never think to use before I enter the pickup area, is 203 729-1992. They are located at 1183 New Haven Road in Naugatuck, making it the closest and most convenient pizza place for me and my boys. There is plenty of parking available nearby.