Frank Pepe's Prepares To Open New Pizza Restaurant In Westport

WESTPORT, CT — Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana plans to open a new restaurant in Westport on June 1, marking the family-run company’s latest Connecticut location.

The restaurant, located at 361 Post Road West in the White Birch Center, will open at 11 a.m. and serve lunch and dinner daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to the company.

The 3,529-square-foot restaurant will seat about 110 people and include a coal-fired oven built with bricks delivered from New Haven. The oven’s cast iron door was designed to match the original door at the company’s New Haven location. Pepe's finalized the lease for the Westport spot with Saugatuck Real Estate LLC.

Before Westport, the closest Frank Pepe's restaurants are in Fairfield and Stamford. In total, the chain will have nine Connecticut locations once Westport opens, in addition to spots in Massachusetts, Florida, Rhode Island, New York, Maryland and Virginia.

Menu items at the Westport restaurant will include the White Clam Pizza, Original Tomato Pie and Calabrese Pizza, which is topped with tomatoes, mozzarella, sausage, pepperoni, Calabrian chilies and Pecorino Romano cheese.

The restaurant also plans to bring back its seasonal Fresh Tomato Pie later this summer for its 18th year. Other menu offerings include salads, Foxon Park sodas, tiramisu and cannoli pie.

The company said the restaurant will offer dine-in, takeout, delivery and catering services. A designated pickup area will be available for takeout orders.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana was founded in New Haven in 1925 and is now in its 101st year of operation.

Jennifer Bimonte-Kelly, co-owner of the company and granddaughter of founder Frank Pepe, said the family is looking forward to opening in Westport.

"Continuing our grandfather’s legacy of coal-fired pizza has been incredibly meaningful for our family, and we’re excited to bring that tradition to Westport," said Bimonte-Kelly in a statement. "Every new location is rooted in the spirit of our original Wooster Street restaurant, but we also know each community brings its own character. We’re looking forward to becoming part of the fabric of Westport and creating a place where families and friends can gather for generations to come."

The Westport location will be near businesses including M. Train Studio, Lille Shoppe and A&S Fine Foods.