Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana photo
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A beloved New Haven-style pizzeria will close in Plantation, Florida, devastating local pizza aficionados.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana will close its Plantation location on April 5, 2026. The announcement, shared via Instagram and Facebook on Monday, March 30, marks the end of a five-year run that turned the Connecticut-born institution into a local obsession.
For many Broward residents, Pepe’s wasn’t just another pizza spot. It was the place to go when craving authentic New Haven-style pizza. Known for its coal-fired, thin-crust pies with signature char, the pizzeria has built a loyal following since opening in 2021. Longtime fans of the original New Haven location, as well as curious newcomers, flocked to Plantation for a taste of one of the oldest and most revered pizzerias in the country.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana photos
A Century-Old Pizza Legacy with Deep Roots
Founded in 1925 in New Haven’s Wooster Square neighborhood, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana is widely credited as the originator of New Haven-style pizza. Over the past century, it has grown into a small but mighty family-owned chain with locations across the Northeast and a limited presence in Florida. It currently has a second South Florida location in Delray Beach.
Its arrival in Plantation was a big deal at the time, signaling that South Florida’s dining scene was ready to embrace regional pizza traditions beyond New York and Neapolitan styles. The pizzeria even made Fodor’s Travel’s list of the 10 Best Pizza Slices in the U.S. this past January.
That’s part of what makes this closure feel especially abrupt. The Plantation outpost wasn’t just busy; it was consistently packed, with wait times that spoke to its popularity and staying power in a competitive market.
Fans React Online and Make Their Pitch
As news of the closure spread, fans quickly took to social media to weigh in and, in many cases, campaign for Pepe’s next move. In response to the restaurant’s Instagram and Facebook posts, commenters made it clear they’re not ready to say goodbye; they just want the pizza closer to home.
“West Palm is where we CT people are. Plantation is a bust for good pizza. Bring it up here. You’ll blow Anthony’s Charcoal out of the water!” one user wrote. Another added, “There are a lot of people from CT in the Villages. You would have a line out the door daily!”
Others on Instagram added, “Now I have to drive 45 to 60 minutes to go to Delray,” and “No! Born and raised in CT, and currently live in Plantation, FL. Pepe’s is my go-to pizza to feel at home.”
The sentiment was clear across the board. Whether in West Palm Beach, the Villages, or elsewhere in Florida, fans say they want Frank Pepe’s in their neighborhood and insist the brand’s reputation for authentic New Haven-style pizza is strong enough to draw crowds anywhere it lands.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana photo
What Happened and What’s Next
In its statement, the company said, “After five great years, we’ve made the decision not to continue our lease at our Plantation, FL location and are actively pursuing a new opportunity in West Palm Beach.” The restaurant will continue serving guests through April 4, just one day before its official closure.
While the exact location of the upcoming West Palm Beach restaurant remains unclear, the move suggests Pepe’s isn’t leaving South Florida altogether, just shifting its footprint. Downtown West Palm Beach, already home to buzzy concepts and growing national chains, seems like a natural next chapter.
Still, for Plantation locals who made Pepe’s part of their weekly rotation, the news stings. Losing a spot that delivered a slice of New Haven history, complete with perfectly blistered crusts and white clam pies, is no small loss. And come April 5, one of Broward’s most beloved pizza destinations will officially be no more.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana. 341 N. University Dr., Plantation; 954-906-7373; pepespizzeria.com. Closing Sunday, April 5.
