The world’s most well-known dining guide has officially recognized one of the country’s most esteemed pizzerias: The Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana location in Yonkers was recently announced as a Michelin Guide addition.
Being included in the guide does not necessarily mean the famous pizzeria will earn a coveted Michelin Star. Rather, Michelin Guide inspectors deemed Frank Pepe worthy of consideration.
It’s a well-deserved honor for the New Haven, Connecticut, institution with a humble origin story. Opened in 1925 by Frank Pepe, the pizzeria was a trailblazer in originating New Haven-style coal-fired, thin-crust pizza. Known for its original Tomato Pie and its famous White Clam Pie, the pizzeria becomes one of 38 in the U.S. to be recognized by the Michelin Guide.
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“New Haven is synonymous with two things: Yale and Frank Pepe’s pizza,” reads Michelin’s entry about the pizzeria. It goes on to laud the pizzeria’s “cult status for its perfectly blistered, coal-fired pizza.” The guide also celebrates the Yonkers location’s decor and attitude that are “free from pretension since everything is singularly focused on pizza.”
Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria Napoletana / Instagram
It appears Pepe’s may be a longshot to earn a Michelin Star, however. While 38 pizzerias in the U.S. have been added to the guide, none of them have earned a coveted Star. Perhaps a more likely fate for Pepe’s is to receive Bib Gourmand recognition, which is an award the guide added in 1997 to recognize affordable eateries that achieve excellence in dining—nineteen U.S. pizzerias have earned the Bib Gourmand title.
Here’s a list of those 19 Bib Gourmand-awarded pizza restaurants, followed by the 19 other institutions that made the list.
Bib Gourmand-Awarded Pizzerias
Washington D.C. Area
Stellina Pizzeria
Timber Pizza Co
New York City Area
Speedy Romeo
Rubirosa
Una Pizza Napoletana
Roberta’s
Burrata (Eastchester)
Chicago Area
Nella Pizza e Pasta
Munno Pizzeria & Bistro
Miami Area
La Natural
Lucali
Los Angeles Area
Pizzeria Bianco
Pizzeria Mozza
Pizzana
Bettina (Santa Barbara)
San Francisco Bay Area
A16
Del Popolo
Glen Ellen Star (Glen Ellen)
Ciccio (Yountville)
Michelin Guide-Listed Pizzerias
New York City Area
Seppe Pizza Bar
PDA Pizza
Sottocasa
Mel’s
Luzzo’s
Ainslie
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (Yonkers)
Denver
Marco’s Coal Fired
Orlando
Prato
Pizza Bruno
Miami
Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza
Chicago
Gino’s East
Coalfire
Pizza Friendly Pizza
Los Angeles
Pizzeria Sei
San Francisco Bay Area
Doppio Zero Pizzeria Napoletana (Mountain View)
Pizzetta 211
Diavola (Geyserville)
Cafe Reyes (Point Reyes)
The Michelin Guide was started in 1900 by the French tire company, Michelin, as a way to generate interest in owning an automobile. The guide first rated fine-dining establishments in 1926 and began awarding stars in 1931. The guide also highlights hotels.
It’s important to note that Michelin does not produce guides for all U.S. markets: Up until 2023, only New York, Washington (D.C.), Illinois, California and Florida were covered. By the end of this year, Michelin will have produced guides featuring Atlanta and Colorado destinations.
This year’s Michelin Stars are expected to be announced in November.
