As you step foot into Pepe’s Pizza, you are greeted by a beautiful aroma of freshly baked pizza, and instantly want some of your own.

Entering the relatively new Chestnut Hill location, I had very high expectations. I have visited the original Pepe’s in New Haven, Connecticut numerous times, and wanted to taste another bite of their heavenly pizza.

I was not disappointed.

The restaurant’s interior is simple and not over-embellished, with soft green walls and white trim. The walls are covered with  photos of the Pepe family and early snapshots of the original restaurant.

The kitchen is open, allowing customers to clearly see the chefs cooking for them. A wide arch spans above the kitchen, exposing the beautiful hand-built brick oven that is used to cook their world-famous pizzas.

Boxes of freshly made pizza are stacked next to the cashier, waiting to be picked up by takeout customers. Due to the high volume of takeout orders, service can be a bit slow, but only when the place is packed (which is almost always).

The staff is friendly and helpful, and my waitress was able to answer any questions I had about the menu.

There was more than just pizza on the menu, with some salads and pasta dishes available but, the main focus of the menu was certainly pizza.

The pizza’s crust was perfectly crispy, with an even balance between sauce and cheese on top. The pizza is also served with a hefty amount of napkins, which is necessary because the pieces can get very greasy. The thin crust style makes the individual pieces perfect for folding like a taco.

The most famous dish served at Pepe’s is the clam pizza, which is not your average restaurant food. This pizza does not have tomato sauce or mozzarella, but is smothered in garlic and olive oil sauce with grated cheese and plenty of clams on top. This pizza is world-renowned for a reason, and is a must for anyone going to Pepe’s for the first time.

As far as pricing goes, the bill is not outlandish but certainly not inexpensive. A standard large pizza will set you back $18, and a medium costs $14.

Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria in Chestnut Hill, MA is not only a must for any pizza enthusiast, but also for anyone looking to find some of the best pizza in Massachusetts.