Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana Sets Opening For July In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, a critically-acclaimed restaurant serving New Haven-style pizza, will open its second DC area location in Alexandria during July.

The restaurant is set to open Monday, July 18 at the Alexandria Commons Shopping Center, 3231 Duke Street in Alexandria. It will join another Frank Pepe location at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, which arrived in March.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, often known as Pepe's Pizza, is credited as the originator of the New Haven-style apizza (pronounced ah-beets). It was founded in 1925 by Frank Pepe, who immigrated from Italy to the U.S. at age 16 in 1909. In New Haven, Pepe created his own style of pizza that became known as apizza, recognizable by its crispy, chewy and slightly charred crust.

Since first opening in New Haven, Connecticut, the pizzeria has remained a family-run business and has earned praise from national critics, including from the Washington Post. Frank Pepe has expanded from Connecticut to Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Maryland, and soon Virginia and Florida.

"We remain consistent because we never deviate from our family’s original recipes cooked in our signature coal-fired, hand-built brick oven that includes iron castings from the New Haven restaurant," said Jennifer Kelly, the granddaughter of founder Frank Pepe, in a statement. "Keeping tradition in mind helps us create a warm experience for our guests, who we consider an extension of the Pepe's family."

At Frank Pepe, diners can try specialty pizzas like the Fresh Tomato Pie, which was the first slice ever sold in the brand's history. This pizza is topped with fresh native tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, garlic, grated Pecorino Romano and olive oil. The White Clam Pizza, another favorite created by Frank Pepe himself, features fresh clams, Pecorino Romano, proprietary oil blend, fresh garlic, and oregano. Build-your-own pizza options are also available on the menu, along with salad options, red and white wines, imported and domestic craft beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.

The Alexandria location is inspired by the aesthetics of the original Frank Pepe in New Haven. The interior is centered around a 14-by-14-foot brick oven, where staff will use 16-foot-long paddles to put pizzas in. Diners can get a glimpse of the brick oven in action inside the 3,600-square-foot restaurant, where 100 seats are available for dine-in service.

Hours at the Alexandria location will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Indoor dining is available along with takeout by calling 703-719-2035. Some parking spaces will be reserved for Frank Pepe's takeout.

For more information, visit www.pepespizza.com.