A Thin-Crust Haven outside of New Haven

New Haven, CT is known for its distinctively thin crust pizza: you might’ve heard of Apizza or even the famous restaurant Sally’s Apizza: https://sallysapizza.com/. But for us down here in the tail of Connecticut, traveling all the way to the Elm City for a fix is not a great option. Lucky for us there's Colony Grill and Riko's, right in our backyard.

First thing you should know, both Colony and Riko’s serve “bar pies:” extremely thin crust, smaller diameter than a traditional pizza, and not too much sauce or cheese so that slices can be easily managed in one hand, leaving the other free for a drink.

Second thing: Colony and Riko’s are sworn rivals.

In 2011, some Colony employees started Riko’s and the Colony people cried theft. Co-owner of Colony, Gary James, filed a lawsuit against the new pizza joint which went nowhere but left in its wake two competing thin-crust-pizza-joints.

The new Rikos owner (Rico Imbrogno) claimed “his pizzeria isn't using the Colony recipe. The dough is different, the sauce is better and the pizza is less greasy,” he said to Jeff Morganteen of CHRON back in July of 2011. "If we are using the same recipe, then why is our pizza better?" Imbrogno said.

Now, almost fifteen years later, the two companies have found their niche and are able to stand and thrive separately. If you’re ever debating between the two, here’s what there is to say about the two:

First, a dive into what makes a trip to Colony Grill worth it, which begins with the fact that the name is misleading. In 1935, a post-Prohibition tavern named Colony Grill opened in Stamford, CT, a town that is now known for suburbia in the north and high rises in the south but used to be an Irish immigrant neighborhood.

Colony served as a safe-haven during the great depression (Source: Colony website)

“Since then, Colony has become famous for what is now its only menu offering: a one-of-a-kind, thin-crust pizza that is best served with the signature "hot oil" topping,” its website boasts.

So why is it called a Grill if it is really just a pizza bar? Well, they explain that “eventually, across the decades, the hot oil bar pie became so popular that all the other Colony menu items faded away, as did the need for a grill.”

And thus has remained Colony Grill, which has different locations along the east coast, two of which are closest to us in Stamford and Port Chester. Their regular “bar pies” (extremely thin crust, smaller in diameter than a traditional pizza, and not too much cheese or sauce so that slices can be easily managed with one hand, fittingly leaving the other hand free to hold a glass) with an optional side of their signature hot oil (spicy, full-of-flavor, pepper-infused creation) are sold for $11.95. Although this pie is sufficiently fulfilling in and of itself, you could try a different route with their Salad Pizza or Margherita. OR, you could if you’re feeling brave try your hand at their Breakfast or Buffalo Chicken Pizza.

Colony's "Bar Pies"

Yes, Colony Grill has remodeled itself since 1935, but it still does a nice job of honoring its roots. Every Colony Grill establishment pays a tribute to service with a wall of heroes, “a display of photos that honors those who have served in uniform, either at home or abroad, as first responders or members of the United States Armed Forces.” Through which they remained rooted in not only Pizza, but also community. It’s a family-loved “grill” that makes you forget about the land of New Haven and “apizza’s” and reminds you what we have, a short drive away.

On the other hand, yet possibly too close for comfort, is Riko's pizza. It has twelve locations and six of those are within Westchester County, NY or Fairfield County, CT. Since 2011, Riko’s pizza has prided itself on being a family-owned business and “a highly differentiated pizza franchise concept famous for its super-thin crust tavern-style pies, local neighborhood atmosphere, and an extensive selection of craft beers, wines, and specialty cocktails.”

Where Colony thrives in its story and history, Rikos thrives with its robust menu: Oven-Roasted Wings, Philly Cheesesteak egg rolls, made-to-order salads, and crispy fried mozzarella. It is also the emperor of the takeout industry: it has supplied countless of my friends’ birthday parties, after-school hangouts, and more. I have never gotten takeout Colony, because Colony is more of an eat-in restaurant and Riko's is more of a takeout place.

Rikos take on the "bar pie" as well as their other food/drink options

Regardless of what you are feeling, Colony and Rikos make taking a trip up to New Haven pointless— you can find your own thin-crust haven outside of New Haven and a little bit closer to home.