By Kia Heavey
Connecticut recently caused a buzz after its Office of Statewide Marketing and Tourism claimed the title of Pizza Capital of the United States. Indeed, there are many decades-old, pioneering, and delicious pizza restaurants in the Nutmeg State, and one of them — Colony Grill of Stamford — is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year.
“Our ownership group is proud to lead the Colony Grill brand and, this year, celebrate its rich 90-year legacy,” co-owner and chief operating officer Ken Martin told the Sentinel. “We look forward to creating more memorable moments — and delicious pizza — for our guests in the years ahead.”
The original Colony Grill, founded and still located at 172 Myrtle Avenue in Stamford, Connecticut, is a local institution renowned for its unique thin-crust “bar pie” and vibrant community atmosphere.
“In 1935, a post-Prohibition tavern named Colony Grill opened in an Irish immigrant neighborhood in Stamford, Connecticut. Since then, Colony has become famous for what is now its only menu offering: a one-of-a-kind, thin-crust pizza that is best served with the signature ‘hot oil’ topping,” dishes the eatery on its website, colonygrill.com.
“We know what you are thinking…Irish pizza? Grill? The local Irish crowd – and anyone else who visited Colony – seemingly could not get enough of this unique pizza, which was made even more appealing when drizzled with a spicy, full-of-flavor, pepper-infused creation simply called: hot oil.”
The site goes on to elaborate how its signature dish was invented: “The original owners of Colony were indeed Irish-Americans, but they employed some Italian and Eastern European chefs during the Great Depression. These men proudly wanted bar patrons to try the pizza recipes from their homelands, in addition to other menu items, but needed to figure out how to f it a pizza tray on the narrow Colony bar top.
“The solution: the ‘bar pie’… extremely thin crust, smaller in diameter than a traditional pizza, and not too much cheese or sauce so that slices can be easily managed with one hand, fittingly leaving the other hand free to hold a glass. Eventually, across the decades, the hot oil bar pie became so popular that all the other Colony menu items faded away, as did the need for a grill. But the name Colony Grill remains as a link to our heritage.”
In fact, the singular pie has such a following that Colony Grill now has restaurants in Fairfield, Milford, and T he facade of the original Colony Grill, founded in Stamford in 1935 and just as popular today. Photo: Kia Heavey Norwalk, CT; Port Chester, NY; Potomac, MD; Arlington, VA; and St. Petersburg/Tampa, FL. The company also maintains a fleet of pizza trucks called the Colony Grill Hot Oil Rig, available for booking in Connecticut, Westchester County, Maryland, Virginia, and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida.
The pizza at Colony Grill is unlike any other, characterized by its brittle, crispy crust — so thin it rivals even New Haven’s Neapolitan-style pies. Each slice maintains a rigid structure, allowing diners to lift it without flop, while the outermost edge offers a satisfying crunch. The hot oil topping, often paired with local sausage, pepperoni, or “stingers” (charred serrano peppers), bakes into the crust, infusing every bite with a zesty, peppery flavor. The menu also includes unique options like the salad pizza, topped with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and balsamic vinaigrette, an onion and bacon pie, and a breakfast pizza with bacon or sausage, egg, and cheese. Despite its simplicity, the pizza’s quality and consistency have earned it a cult following.
Colony Grill’s atmosphere is as much a draw as its food. Described as a “glorified dive bar,” the Stamford location has a casual, old-school vibe with booths, tables, and a bar that attracts a diverse crowd, from families to first responders to corporate types.
The “Wall of Heroes” displays photos honoring veterans and first responders, reflecting the restaurant’s deep community ties, which are deepened by events like the Hot Oil 5K race and free pizzas for veterans on Veterans Day. The tavern’s history, from its 1935 founding, through longtime owners Eugene “Bo-Bo” Bohannon and Jimmy McLaughlin post-World War II, to its modern expansion under four childhood friends since 2010, underscores its role as a Stamford cornerstone.
Open daily from 11:30 a.m. “to close” (11 p.m. weekdays, 12:30 a.m. on weekends), Colony offers delivery, takeout, and reservations.
