Carmine’s Pizza, Durham CT

December 20, 2024

This month the Slice Mob made our way to Carmine’s Pizza on Main Street in Durham, and let me tell you, this spot knows how to sling a pie.

I kicked things off with a plain pie, just sauce and grated cheese. No hiding behind toppings here. The sauce was dialed in perfectly, not sweet, not heavy, just that clean, bright tomato flavor that makes you want another slice before you’re even done chewing. The crust? A textbook execution. Charred edges, a sturdy bottom with a little snap, and that chewy bite that keeps New Haven–style alive and well in Durham.

Next up, I went for the sausage and mushrooms and threw on cherry peppers because… well, why wouldn’t you? That combo hit like a highlight reel: juicy sausage, earthy mushrooms, and the peppers bringing just the right heat to cut through it all. An absolute winner.

But Carmine’s isn’t just about the pizza. Heath, the owner, came out to hang with us, and this guy gets it. Family-owned, passionate about his craft, and he’s not afraid to sit down and talk shop with a bunch of pizza nerds like us. He even fired up a couple of his frozen pies for us to try. And let me be clear, these aren’t your sad grocery store frozen pizzas. I’ve had them before, and they hold their own against plenty of fresh pies. High on my frozen list, no question.

Now, the dining area isn’t huge, but they managed to squeeze in our crew without batting an eye. That kind of hospitality matters. Great food, great people, and a place that feels like it’s been part of the neighborhood forever, that’s Carmine’s.

If you haven’t been, go. Grab a plain, grab a house special, grab whatever catches your eye. Just don’t sleep on this place. Family-run, community-driven, and straight-up delicious.