Colony Grill
Row 1
This thin-crust bar pie institution in Stamford, Connecticut, is notorious for its no-frills demeanor, no-special-options policy, and for not making exceptions (which Colony’s website admirably calls “classic American charm”). There are signs, though, that this reputation may be thawing. Consider the special corned beef and cabbage pizza for St. Patrick's Day, which makes sense when you consider "Colony" was the nickname of the Irish neighborhood in Stamford where Colony Grill was established by Irish owners in 1935. But now there are three locations (two more in Fairfield and Milford and one to come in Norwalk), and they’ve recently added a salad pizza to the menus. Go figure.
What you’re going to want to do is order the sausage pie with hot oil (chile-pepper-infused oil) and a “stinger” pie (they’re thin so you’re going to need two). That signature hot oil is a must — if you don’t do it, don’t bother going. There’s almost the same amount of tasty sauce and cheese as there is crisp cracker crust.
There’s something special about the equal amounts of ingredients you likely won’t have had before, the way the pockmarked surface resembles some crazy dream where cheese covers the surface of the moon (all melty like you remember from the orange-oil-covered slice at your childhood favorite pizza place), and how the sting of the oil brings you right back to the sip of beer you’ll want while savoring each bite.
— Arthur Bovino, 101 Best Pizzas in America 2015, 8/6/2015
The Daily Meal Editors and Community Say...
Foursquare Tips
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One of the best pizza joints on the East Coast...To die for, thin crust pizza smothered in hot oil. YUM! -
Cheesy, pockmarked bar pizzas are the thing to get at this old-school Connecticut tavern. -
Thin crust pizza and local pub. Specialty is the hot oil pizza. No thrills here just good thin crust pies. -
The sodas come in tiny juice glasses. You're better off getting a pitcher if you like to drink a lot with your meal. -
If you don't like Colony, I don't like you. Simple as that. The hot oil is a MUST. (I go with that, cherry peppers and sausage) -
Come for the pizza, stay for the pizza. It's absolutely unbelievable. -
The specialty, a Hot Oil pizza, is a local legend and has spawned a few franchised locations elsewhere in CT. The ambiance and experience makes seeking out this hole-in-the-wall original worthwhile. -
Hot oil is gangster -
Order the pepperoni - best tasting pizza - been going here for 30 years! -
Sausage and Stingers all the way! Add a pitcher and life is good! -
Sausage is a must. Bacon & Onion is really good too. No matter what, get hot oil. Stingers are not for the weak but very tasty. -
This place makes some of the best bar pies I've had. Different, but better than most places in NYC. -
The stingers are serranos. The source for the heat in the Hot Oil. Do Not get both unless you can handle extreme heat. Fire in your Wire. -
I reccomend the delicious sausage, peppers & onion pie. It's thin thin, thin crust, oily and every bite is packed with flavor. I'd say its no frills bar pizza that surprises you with it's tasty punch. -
Hot Oil. If you have not tried this pizza yet you are seriously missing out. -
Best pizza in Fairfield County. Try a sausage and cherry pepper pie :) -
Awesome thin crust pizza and the bar is a lot of fun! -
Always save at least 2 pieces for Breakfast. Cold Colony is the only thing better than hot Colony. If you eat your whole pie. Bring a Friend who doesn't eat a lot and take theirs home. -
Hot oil and stingers. At the bar, where they take care of you! -
Half Stinger and Half hot oil/pepperoni