Nardi Bakery has a long tradition of providing baked goods and breads to the Hartford area. Their commercial/wholesale business provides rolls and breads for many area restaurants and stores. But in addition to their wholesale business, they have a retail store at their South Windsor bakery where retail customers can buy the same wonderful products.
Nardi Bakery started out in Hartford in the early 1900's, moving to Connecticut Blvd in East Hartford around 1980 and to their current location off Rt. 5 in South Windsor around 2000. They are famous for the Front Street sheet pizza, which is what I'm reviewing today.
The pizza comes packed up in a tidy bundle, wrapped in deli paper and sits comfortably in a card board soda flat box. A full sheet pizza is 24 pieces and runs $20. The retail store only takes cash, so plan ahead! The pizza is a thicker, bready pizza with a zesty, acidic yet slightly sweet tomato sauce. There is not a lot of cheese on the pizza, certainly not a solid layer of mozz like most pizzas, think more like a light sprinkling of parmigiano or romano.
I remember family gatherings in East Hartford where my grandfather and later my uncle would arrive bearing several sheet pizzas, and it had been years since I had the taste of Nardi's pizza until I recently rediscovered them at their South Windsor location. The taste is pure nostalgia for me. Many people like Nardi's cold out of the fridge, some like it warmed up (10 minutes at 350F works for me), I like it both ways.
While you do get 24 good sized pieces in a sheet pizza, I recommend ordering at least two... not only does it keep well in the fridge, but you're going to want to share so others can taste how great it is! read more