The Pizza At This Connecticut Restaurant Is So Iconic It’s Worth Every Mile
Pizza that becomes iconic earns that description through one truly exceptional slice at a time.
Connecticut has one restaurant where the pizza has reached a level that makes the drive feel necessary.
The crust here is exactly right, the sauce is balanced, and every bite earns its reputation. Believe me, a slice this good makes every mile of any drive feel like a very smart decision.
I made the trip once on a recommendation and understood within the first bite why everyone talks about it.
The rest of the menu lives up to the pizza and that is very high praise indeed. This pizza is iconic and every single mile to get here is completely and entirely worth it.
A Legend Hidden In Plain Sight
Not every legendary spot announces itself with neon lights and a velvet rope.
Colony Grill sits quietly on Myrtle Ave, and yet somehow, word has traveled far and wide about what goes on inside those walls.
The building has an old school bar vibe that feels lived in and comfortable. There is something about the worn edges and vintage photos on the walls that tells you this place has been doing things right for a long time.
You get the sense that nothing here is pretending to be something it is not.
People from neighboring states have made the trip specifically for a table here. That sort of pull does not happen by accident. It builds slowly, one unforgettable meal at a time.
The atmosphere hits you before the food does. There is a low hum of conversation, the sound of a game playing on the TVs overhead, and the smell of something crispy and savory coming from the kitchen.
It is the kind of room that puts you at ease right away. Once you know about it, you will keep coming back.
That Crust Is Pure Sorcery
The crust at at 172 Myrtle Ave is hard to explain without sounding dramatic.
It is thin, yes, but not cracker thin. It has a chew to it, a slight resistance that gives way to a satisfying crunch with every bite.
Some people compare it to a tavern style pizza you might find in the Midwest, the kind that prioritizes texture over thickness. But this version feels uniquely its own.
The bottom gets this golden, almost fried quality that makes the whole thing feel indulgent without being heavy.
I noticed the pizza did not droop or fold when lifted. It held its shape confidently, like it knew exactly what it was doing. That structural integrity is rarer than you might think in the thin crust world.
The toppings sit evenly across the entire surface, right out to the edge. There are no sad, bare corners here. Every bite delivers the full experience the kitchen intended.
What really seals the deal is that after finishing a full pizza, you do not feel weighed down. It is satisfying without being punishing.
Hot Oil Changes Everything
Hot oil is the move here. Full stop.
If you visit Colony Grill and skip the hot oil, you have technically eaten pizza, but you have not had the complete experience.
The hot oil comes on the side or drizzled directly onto the pie, depending on how you order. It adds this warm, slow building heat that does not overwhelm the other flavors.
It enhances them instead, bringing out the richness of the cheese and the depth of the sauce in a way that feels almost like a cheat code.
The first time I tried it, I was not sure what to expect. A small pour onto a slice and suddenly the whole thing clicked.
The heat level is approachable, which means even people who are cautious about spice can enjoy it without breaking a sweat.
What makes the hot oil at this Connecticut restaurant stand out is that it is not just heat for the sake of heat.
There is flavor in there too, a savory richness that lingers pleasantly after each bite. It is the condiment that makes you wonder why every pizzeria does not offer something like it.
The Menu Is Gloriously Simple
There is something deeply refreshing about a restaurant that knows exactly what it is.
Colony Grill does not hand you a five page menu filled with dishes that have nothing to do with each other. The focus here is pizza, and only pizza, done with total commitment.
You pick your base and then choose from a solid lineup of toppings. Each addition builds the pie you want without overcomplicating the process.
It is the kind of ordering experience that feels casual and fun rather than stressful. The simplicity of the menu is actually a sign of confidence.
A kitchen that narrows its focus to one thing and executes it brilliantly is far more impressive than a sprawling menu that tries to please everyone and ends up being average across the board.
Toppings include classics like pepperoni, sausage, and meatballs, alongside options that let you get a little creative. Stingers are another crowd favorite, adding a spicy pepper element that pairs beautifully with the thin crust base.
The Atmosphere Pulls You In
Colony Grill has the atmosphere that makes time pass faster than you expect.
You sit down, the pizza arrives, and suddenly an hour has gone by without you noticing. That is a good sign.
The room has a classic bar feel with TVs mounted on the walls, older photographs scattered throughout, and the general energy of a neighborhood spot that has seen decades of good meals.
It is unpretentious in the best possible way. Nobody is trying too hard here.
There is a low, pleasant noise level that makes conversation easy. I remember noticing the way people at nearby tables were laughing and leaning in, the kind of body language that only happens when the food and company are both delivering.
The room had a relaxed but lively energy.
Seating is available for groups of various sizes, and the layout feels practical rather than cramped. Getting comfortable here is easy, and the staff moves through the space with a casual efficiency that keeps things running smoothly.
Service That Actually Stands Out
Good pizza can carry a restaurant far. Great service makes people come back even on the nights they are not hungry.
Colony Grill seems to understand this, because the hospitality here matches the quality of the food in ways that are hard to miss.
The staff moves with purpose but without making you feel rushed. There is a warmth to the interactions that does not feel scripted or performative.
It is the service where you feel like a regular even on your first visit.
One thing I noticed was how quickly people were acknowledged when they came through the door. No awkward waiting near the entrance, no being ignored for five minutes while staff shuffled around. The greeting was immediate and genuine.
For a spot that gets busy, especially on weekend evenings, the team handles the pace impressively well. Orders come out correctly, tables get cleared efficiently, and the overall rhythm of the dining room feels well managed without being mechanical.
It is rare to find a place in Connecticut where the food and the service are both operating at the same high level. Often one outpaces the other.
Hours And Delivery Worth Knowing
Colony Grill opens daily at 11:30 AM, which means a late morning craving can absolutely be justified.
On weekdays and Sundays, the kitchen runs until 11 PM, giving you a solid window to plan around. Fridays and Saturdays stretch even later, closing at 12:30 AM. That late night Friday and Saturday option is useful.
There are not many places in Connecticut where you can get a legitimately great pizza after midnight without sacrificing quality. This is one of them.
Delivery is also on the table, and the pizza holds up well during the journey. The thin crust does not turn soggy the way thicker styles sometimes do.
Arriving at your door still warm and still crispy is a reasonable expectation here.
For those who prefer the full experience, eating in is always the better call. The combination of the room, the smell, the sound, and the food together creates something that a takeout box cannot fully replicate.
Planning a visit is easy. The hours are generous, the location is accessible, and the pizza is worth building your evening around.
Why Is The Drive Always Worth It
There is a certain type of food that earns the phrase worth the drive.
Not every restaurant qualifies. Most places are convenient or they are not, and that is the end of the story. Colony Grill is different because the pizza itself becomes the destination.
People have come from New York, from New Jersey, from other parts of Connecticut, specifically to eat here. That is not an accident or a fluke.
It is the result of a place consistently delivering something that people cannot stop thinking about after they leave.
The thin crust, the hot oil, the unpretentious room, the staff who actually seem glad you showed up. All of it adds up to an experience that justifies the effort of getting there, no matter how far you are starting from.
After your first visit, you will stop asking whether it is worth the trip. The only question will be when you are going back. And you will go back. That much is certain.
