[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 149 (Tuesday, December 9, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1760]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRATULATING ZUPPARDI APIZZA ON ITS 80TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 9, 2014

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to rise today to 
join the West Haven community in extending my sincere congratulations 
to the Zuppardi family as they celebrate the 80th Anniversary of their 
restaurant, and cherished local treasure, Zuppardi's Apizza.
  As you may know, New Haven and many of its surrounding communities 
are well known for their Italian cuisine--particularly for our pizza. 
Zuppardi's Apizza has been a local favorite since its opening eight 
decades ago. Like so many other businesses in and around New Haven, 
Zuppardi's speaks to the immigrant experience. Domenico Zuppardi, an 
immigrant from Maiori, Italy arrived in New Haven in 1921 with little 
more than a dream and a talent for the family business, bread. He 
worked as a bread baker with family members before moving to West Haven 
in 1934, where he opened his own business, Salerno Bakery. His 
specialty was bread and pizza. Joined by his son, Anthony, upon his 
return from the Navy in 1946, they opened Zuppardi's Apizza as an 
extension of the bakery. Though both flourished, in later years Anthony 
made the decision to keep his focus on the pies and the rest, as they 
say is history.
  Zuppardi's Apizza is a family business in every sense of the word. 
Anthony and his wife, Frances, lived above the restaurant, and their 
children spent their free time watching, learning, and working there. 
Now run by those third and fourth generations, Zuppardi's Apizza is the 
7th oldest continuously run family pizzeria in the country, and the 2nd 
oldest existing pizzeria in Connecticut. Just last year, ``The 
Special,'' a pie made with mozzarella, mushrooms, and their homemade 
sausage, made the Daily Meal's list of 101 Best Pizzas in the nation, 
coming in at #50. ``The Special'' was named by Anthony and Frances 
Zuppardi and has never changed. Zuppardi's also offers not one but two 
clam pizzas--white, of course--just make sure you specify canned or 
fresh shucked when ordering. With all of this history, the family has 
also created a niche by selling hundreds of frozen pizzas to customers 
around the country each month.
  Anthony Zuppardi had a simple philosophy ``The last bite has to be as 
good as the first when people eat our pizza.'' Today, his daughters 
Lori and Cheryl still hold true to that simple message. Customers are 
valued and they take pride in putting forth a quality pizza. That is 
what makes Zuppardi's so special. I am happy to rise today to join the 
West Haven community in extending my heartfelt congratulations to Lori, 
Cheryl, and the entire Zuppardi family as they mark this remarkable 
milestone. Happy 80th Anniversary!

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