Pizza Palace in Torrington CT: A New England Pan Pizza Worth the Stop
The front of Pizza Palace facing the main road in Torrington CT
So many people were raving about Pizza Palace on our last post that I had to go try it myself. If you have not been yet, Pizza Palace is located at 1453 East Main Street in Torrington, right on the east side of town, and they have been serving the community for years.
I ordered a pepperoni pizza, was told it would be a half hour wait, showed up a little early, and it was already ready. The people behind the counter were genuinely friendly, and I walked out feeling good about the whole experience before I even opened the box.
New England Pan Pizza from Pizza Palace in Torrington CT
What Is New England Pan Pizza?
I will be honest — I had no idea what style of pizza they served before I walked in. Pizza Palace does New England pan pizza, and if you are used to New York thin crust it is a completely different experience.
New York thin crust is stretched by hand into a wide, thin round, cooked directly on a hot deck at very high heat, and finished with a crispy, foldable base that holds toppings without collapsing. The crust is light, slightly charred at the edges, and the whole slice bends in half without breaking. That is the style I grew up with and the one I reach for first.
New England pan pizza is the opposite in almost every way. The dough goes into a well-oiled pan and rises before it bakes, creating a thick, pillowy crust with a soft interior and a slightly crispy bottom from the oil in the pan. It is closer to a Sicilian in structure, though New England pan tends to be a little softer and less dense than a true Sicilian square. The oil in the pan gives the bottom of the crust a distinct richness, and the dough itself often has a slightly sweeter flavor profile, which is exactly what I noticed when I opened the box.
Thick Pan Crust Pizza from Pizza Palace is a little sweet, and very delicious!
The Pizza Itself
When I opened it up it was loaded with toppings. Even with all of that weight on top it held together really well, which is one of the advantages of a pan style crust. The dough had that slightly sweeter taste I mentioned, and the whole pie was absolutely delicious.
They also have a bar inside, which adds to the atmosphere in a way you do not always expect from a pizza spot on East Main Street.
The bar is very prominent, well lit and clean at Pizza Palace in Torrington CT
Where Do You Stand?
I am a New York thin crust guy at heart. If I am being completely honest, nothing beats a really thick Sicilian when it is done right. But New England pan is always a welcome change of pace, and Pizza Palace does it well.
I am giving their pepperoni a 5 star rating on our Torrington pizza rater. You can browse every pizzeria in the city and vote for your own favorite right here: Best Pizza in Torrington CT
