Cafe Apizza Brings New Haven Style to Forty Fort – But Does It Live Up to the Hype?
There’s been a lot of chatter in the NEPA foodie circles lately about Cafe Apizza in Forty Fort. And when I say a lot, I mean a lot. Scroll through any local food group and you’ll see heated debates—some singing high praise, others questioning whether it’s truly “authentic” New Haven style. Naturally, I had to investigate for myself.
So… Is It Really New Haven Style?
Let’s get this out of the way. I’ve been to New Haven, Connecticut. I’ve walked those pizza-lined streets for six hours straight on a carb-fueled mission, tasting the iconic pies from Sally’s, Pepe’s, Modern Apizza, and more. While most folks think of New Haven as thin, coal-fired pies cut into irregular slices with that signature short rim and char, there’s more than one style in the Elm City.
Take Modern, for instance. It’s one of the “big three,” yet they use an oil-fired oven—not coal—and their pies don’t look like Sally’s or Pepe’s. And my personal favorite in New Haven? Zuppardi’s. It straddles the line between New Haven and NY-Neapolitan with a little more puff to the crust and a softer undercarriage.
So when I first saw photos of Cafe Apizza’s pies, I immediately thought: “Zuppardi’s vibes.” Which, for me, is a good thing.
The Vibe and First Impressions
Cafe Apizza isn’t a big place, but they’ve made the most of the space. There are plenty of tables, a beautiful outdoor patio area, and one of the first things that jumped out wasn’t even the pizza—it was the selection of craft sodas and their own house-labeled fountain drinks. Nice touch.
We arrived just as they were opening, so no pizzas were in the oven yet. But the moment the first pie hit the deck, the aroma filled the air—absolutely incredible. You just knew something good was about to happen.
Let’s Talk Pizza
We kept it simple but strategic: a tomato pie with mozz (because I’m not a tomato-sauce-and-grated-cheese-only kinda guy), and one of their house special pies—a shrimp and hot cherry pepper combo that felt like a New Haven meets NEPA crossover event.
Now, I’ll be honest. Some of the photos I saw before visiting looked a little underbaked for my personal preference. So I asked for my tomato pie to be cooked well-done. I wanted char. And wow, they delivered. It came out beautifully blistered—deep golden browns and darker char spots that looked straight out of New Haven. The crust reminded me so much of Zuppardi’s that I had to do a double take.
The shrimp and pepper pie was baked a little lighter (I didn’t request it well-done), and while it lacked the extra crisp of the other pie, it still had a solid crunch with great foldability. There was a generous amount of shrimp and just the right amount of heat from the cherry peppers—definitely a crowd-pleaser for NEPA folks who love a good seafood pizza.
Ingredients Matter
The sauce had a beautiful punch to it—bright, vibrant, not overly sweet, and felt like a high-quality Italian tomato base. The mozzarella was clearly a step above what you’d find on a typical local pie. It melted differently, had a richer flavor, and gave off those little oil puddles that true cheese nerds live for.
The crust? On the well-done pie, it was outrageously crispy—almost crunchy. Picked up a slice and it barely bent. That’s my kind of pizza.
Final Thoughts
Cafe Apizza might ruffle a few feathers with New Haven purists and NEPA locals who prefer their pies on the paler side, but I think they’ve nailed a smart middle ground. They’re using top-tier ingredients, putting serious thought into execution, and introducing a style of pizza that this region isn’t fully familiar with—yet.
This is a bold, exciting addition to the NEPA pizza scene, and I, for one, am glad they’ve joined the party. Whether you’re Team Char or Team Light Bake, Cafe Apizza is worth the visit.
Welcome to the neighborhood, Cafe Apizza. Let the debates continue!
Want to know what the best pizza sauce is? I tested, ranked, and scored them all! Here are my Pizza Sauce Rankings!
Rating the Tomato Pie With Mozzarella Pizza
- Restaurant: Cafe Apizza
- Address: 1634 Wyoming Ave, Forty Fort, PA 18704
- Dine In/Take Out:
- Pizza Ordered: New Haven Style Apizza (Tomato Pie with Mootz)
- Date: July 2025
| Rating Category | Rating Score |
|---|---|
| Crust | 8.8 |
| Sauce | 8.4 |
| Cheese | 8.2 |
| Taste | 8.7 |
| Crispy/Cooked Properly | 8.8 |
| Value | 6.2 |
| Overall Rating | 8.5 |
Pizza is Similar to: Zuppardi’s, Gio’s Pizza Co
Rating the Shrimp and Pepper Pizza
- Restaurant: Cafe Apizza
- Address: 1634 Wyoming Ave, Forty Fort, PA 18704
- Dine In/Take Out:
- Pizza Ordered: New Haven Style Apizza (Shrimp and Hot Pepper special)
- Date: July 2025
| Rating Category | Rating Score |
|---|---|
| Crust | 8.5 |
| Sauce | 8.4 |
| Cheese | 8.3 |
| Taste | 8.1 |
| Crispy/Cooked Properly | 7.8 |
| Value | 6.3 |
| Overall Rating | 8.2 |
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