Taking Sides in the Stamford Pizza War
Amy Kundrat
The first hint of a Stamford pizza scandal came from a casual tip from a friend who knows how we obsess over pizza here at CTbites. “Have you heard about this new place called Rico’s?” he asked. “It’s just like Colony and some say it’s better.”
Rumors, speculation, and then the recent ad taken out by Colony Pizza in the Stamford Advocate on July 22 had piqued all of our interest. The ad read, “There is no other restaurant in Fairfield County that is authorized to use our name or our recipes.”
This not-so-thinly veiled threat was taking direct aim at the new Selleck Street pizzeria Rico’s, opened by former employees of Colony Pizza, the epicenter of the traditional bar-style pizza with it’s cracker-like crust and rivers of grease. A subsequent Stamford Advocate article laid out the facts, explaining that former Colony employees helped a Stamford resident open Rico’s on Selleck Street, serving nearly identical pies to Colony, including that signature “stinger” pie, a combination of hot oil and hot peppers. This near replica stirred the ire of Colony, enough for them to consider litigation on the grounds of trade secrets. Basically, they believe Rico’s stole their time-honored recipe.
Colony is an institution, but as many of the comments point out, some people are fed-up with Colony’s “service,” no-delivery and cash-only policy, coupled with the occassional habit of leaving the phone off the hook when service is too busy. For some pizza lovers and Colony die-hards, therein lies the attraction. The dull and prickly no-frills service is precisely what we love about Colony. On the other hand, Rico’s delivers and accepts credit cards which in a pinch, and if you are working in downtown Stamford, can be a lovely thing.
Trademark secrets and litigious actions aside, how do the pizzas compare? Thanks to a few dedicated local bloggers, you can preview the great Stamford Pizza War before waiting out the busy signals and heading to the ATM.
Bar Stool Philospher has a detailed, side-by-side comparison, giving Rico’s the edge within context:
This battle, in my humble opinion, … was won by Rico's two out of three... It really is a close call and I believe there's room for both in the pizza world. After all, Pepe and Sally have managed to coexist quite nicely in New Haven without turning into the Hatfields and the McCoys. Let's hope Colony and Rico manage the same truce.
>> Read Bar Stool’s full review <<
Lunch Break Chronicles, always the first to breaking pizza or taco news, shared this gem, calling out the Colony experience, not just the taste of the competing pies.
While eerily similar, Rico’s tastes like Colony on an slightly-off day. With a crust that is less crisp, having near identical toppings and even perhaps a better sauce, it is not the same experience.
>> Read the LBC’s full review <<
According to OmNomCT who have scoured the entire city of Stamford for great pies, they’ve declared:
Rico’s is good, but not great. You can’t go in here expecting a pie just like Colony because there are noticeable differences.
>> Read OmNom's full review <<
Even the Stamford Pizza Tour awoke from its slumber to proffer this bottom-line:
Rico’s is the quintessential bar pie without the bar. If you’re looking for a good, traditional pizza, there are other places to go, but if you’ve got a Colony addiction, Rico’s is a viable substitute.
>> Read Rico’s Pizza Review from Stamford Pizza Tour <<
Have you recently been to Rico's? Are you a die-hard Colony fan? Weigh-in on this Stamford battle of the pies.
[Photography Courtesy of Barstool Philosophers ]
Reader Comments (12)
Wow, nice resources that you've pulled. The pizza was okay, but the real problem we had was with the delivery. It took nearly two hours to get to us and it was nearly impossible to get the delivery to us--we tried many nights with no luck. We'd love to try it again when it's actually hot out of the oven, but we're not really holding our breath about it.
As I mentioned on Twitter last night, we had our office fantasy football draft last night and we bought a bunch of Rico's pizzas to feed the crew. Most of these folks only work in the City That Works, so they were unfamiliar with Colony, Rico's, or the scandal.
Nearly everyone who had the Rico's pizza summarily panned it. They didn't like the cheese, they didn't like the flavor, the little pizzas got too cold too quickly, etc...
A few of the Stamford residents in the crowd tried to explain the bar pie phenomena, but the poor quality of the pizza remained a running joke all night.
One person summarized: "I don't think you purposely engineer a worse pizza."
What do you think, personally, Amy? Which you like more? :)
What do I think? I am actually not a fan of bar style pizza or Colony or Rico's. Don't get my wrong, I won't turn down a hot oil and stingers, but for my money you'll find me at any place that serves a quality Neapolitan pie like Motorino, Lauretano, Stanziato's or Tarry Lodge.
Reminds me of Coming To America:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGRiTpCji0I
I hear ya. Nothing wrong with liking certain styles of pies. We don't like Chicago style very much, so we have our limits too. :)
Colony is greasy Irish pizza. Irish cant make pizza.
Johnnies in Mount Vernon....the real deal.
I like Rico's, but not for its pizza.
Rico's is basically a take out and delivery joint, Unfortunately, bar pizza doesn't travel well. The boxed heat and steam soften what should be a thin crisp crust. But the place isn't conducive to eat in. They only have four or five tables which are usually occupied with peeps waiting for takeout.
Colony has booths, privacy, a bar... and far better sausage. There's a reason for the crowds... despite as Yogi Berra put it: "They're so crowded, nobody goes there anymore."
So why do l saluteRico's? Their presence has noticably improved the pizza and service at Colony. Nothing like a little competition. .
I grew up eating Colony Pizza...spent nearly every Wednesday night eating there with my Dad. So, for me, nothing compares to the real Colony pie. Granted, it is bar pie. But, I'll still always love it!
having had both, i would say they are on par. neither pie travels well at 1/8 of an inch thick, so maybe no delivery is a smart idea. but colony needed a kick in the pants for two reasons.
a. the pies aren't like they were just ten years ago.
b. no one needs to be waiting as long as they make you wait for a pizza.
hopefully everybody with a dough sheeter will open a pizza place soon, and then when colony's phone is ringing less than it is already(post-ricos opening), they will realize they should have appreciated their customers just a little more to begin with.
I think Rico's pizza is a great alternative to Colony Pizza (my favorite), which is a hard place to get in and the eternal wait to be served. I don't think there is a pizza delivery that can taste great. At least I've never had one. Pick it up yourself and bring home while still HOT. I'll continue to enjoy Rico's.
Rico's made me sick, it was terrible!