East Haven has a variety of local businesses that have outstanding food. However, they’re more than just a place to eat. The local restaurants often create a friendly atmosphere for spending time after school with friends or with family on the weekends. For many students attending EHHS, John and Maria’s came out as the top favorite restaurant in town.
Known for being a family-run business since 1990, John and Maria’s is currently owned and managed by Neil Saulino. They make all their food from scratch, including a special family recipe brought from Italy. It was a clear favorite amongst students. Isabella Chambasis, a current senior, said, “Since the food is freshly cooked it makes me feel like I’m not going to get sick from eating food that tastes like it was made hours ago.”
Linda Carballo, a senior, who has been to John and Maria’s recommended trying a mushroom and onion pizza. She says every time she goes there the pizza is crunchy and cheesy. A perfect place to talk over her day with her family. Not just students, but some townsfolk feel the same way, having been part of the community for a long time.
We also surveyed students about their opinion of whether New Haven was the pizza capital of the U.S, a remark from the New Haven County representative for the US House of Representatives Rosa DeLauro. With over 1,200 pizzerias located in Connecticut about 83% of students agreed. Connecticut is a top competitor to other cities that have claimed to be the pizza capital of the U.S.. John and Maria’s is a local favorite, but has been getting some national recognition as more and more popular influencers are trying out New Haven style pizza.
Isabella said, “I disagree with this statement because even though there are good pizza places everybody has different opinions and even though I do think New Haven has good pizza in my opinion so does New York.”
Famous for their street-style pizza, most pizzerias in other cities feel the same, even though each restaurant has its own recipes. Connecticut officially broke the previous Guinness World Record for the world’s largest pizza party by 4,525 attendees. Although people’s opinions differ with labels, one thing is for sure, is that Italians make pizza best.
In the next edition, Griffin Morgan will take on New York versus New Haven style pizza: which is best? Comment your thoughts below