Posted by Erin Zimmer, October 29, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Before it was called Mystic Pizza, and before it inspired the namesake movie with Julia Roberts, the Connecticut seaside mom-and-pop was called Ted's. Definitely didn't have the same ring to it, and owner Stefanos Zelepos knew that. He later changed it to Mystic, asking himself, "who is this Ted guy?"
Twenty years after the movie—a coming-of-age centered around three girls working at the pizza parlor—Mystic Pizza still inspires visitors who want to know, was it really filmed there? Did Julia Robers really breathe here? Technically, no. That would have required closing down the place for six months, which at the time seemed ridiculous—this film easily could have been a flop. Instead, the studio set up a fake pizzeria in Stonington Borough.
I visited Mystic Pizza a few summers ago, and while the actual pizza didn't blow me away, I felt a part of something. A part of the 1980s, a part of Julia Roberts poofy hair, a part of the nautical Northeast vibe. I don't think that Mystic feeling will disappear, whether or not the movie was actually filmed there or the pizza is perfect.
I've never seen this movie. Even my professional interest in pizza hasn't been able to overcome my aversion to it. I just keep moving it to the back of my Netflix queue.
never saw the movie but grew up eating Mystic Pizza, I hear its gone down hill (pun intended if you know the terain) since i last had it. but back in the 70's and early 80's it was darn good pizza.
It's funny how we relate foods and previous, perhaps now-mortifying chapters of our lives--and here we have food, film and memory rolled (ugh, pizza pun) into one.
I'm not hugely surprised that you were nonplussed by the actual pie at Mystic--but damn, what a feeling.
Oh wait, that's Flashdance.
I think I once read that what Julia Roberts most regrets about the movie Mystic Pizza is her eyebrows.
Today, no female star could ever get away with that many carbs on the set--it's a time-capsule, for sure.
Never saw the movie, but it should have been called Mystic Fried Clams instead. Then it could have given international fame to a restaurant that actually deserved it: Sea Swirl, home of some outstanding clam strips.
Ate there when I was looking at a college in the area (Quinnipiac)...I agree that it wasn't really anything special. But I guess it was a memorable pizza all the same.
I am in Mystic right now - been eating my way through the area. I have not been to Mystic pizza yet. Well, except to take a photo. I am disappointed to know that the movie was not filmed there but I have also been to Stonington to eat at Noah's so I suppose I was close to the "scene of the cinematic crime". I have been reviewing the restaurants I've hit on fork you blog.
Daniel, thanks for the recommendation on the Sea Swirl. I have three more days left to sample the local fare!
Mystic Pizza is probably the most disgusting pizza place I have ever been to.. I went to school in the South and have been to places that served ketchup and craft slices on Wonder Bread.. Well not really but, you get the point..
They even have one of those rotating pizza things that are housed inside the glass box with the heat lamps.. The type of machine you find at gas stations..
Its shameful how gross the pizza is there. Get a lobster roll down the street and get your pictured taken out front.
susan if you go to Sea Swirl try the whole belly clams (the only way to go) and in stonington try the Pizza Lady and her soupy pizza (YUM) at least it was a year and a half ago. When i was growing up she used to make the rounds of certain neighborhoods and you would order a half sheet or a whole sheet a week in advance. And no choice in toppings all she had was the old fashioned tomato pie.
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12 Comments:
I wonder if Julia cringes when she thinks about this movie... I watched part of it recently and it gave me chills... douche chills.
Southern_bella at 10:13AM on 10/29/08
I've never seen this movie. Even my professional interest in pizza hasn't been able to overcome my aversion to it. I just keep moving it to the back of my Netflix queue.
Adam Kuban at 10:23AM on 10/29/08
never saw the movie but grew up eating Mystic Pizza, I hear its gone down hill (pun intended if you know the terain) since i last had it. but back in the 70's and early 80's it was darn good pizza.
huneybumper at 10:44AM on 10/29/08
It's funny how we relate foods and previous, perhaps now-mortifying chapters of our lives--and here we have food, film and memory rolled (ugh, pizza pun) into one.
I'm not hugely surprised that you were nonplussed by the actual pie at Mystic--but damn, what a feeling.
Oh wait, that's Flashdance.
I think I once read that what Julia Roberts most regrets about the movie Mystic Pizza is her eyebrows.
Today, no female star could ever get away with that many carbs on the set--it's a time-capsule, for sure.
HappyHoarfrost at 10:48AM on 10/29/08
what's next...The Peach Pit?
JustinH at 11:04AM on 10/29/08
Never saw the movie, but it should have been called Mystic Fried Clams instead. Then it could have given international fame to a restaurant that actually deserved it: Sea Swirl, home of some outstanding clam strips.
Daniel Zemans at 11:09AM on 10/29/08
Ate there when I was looking at a college in the area (Quinnipiac)...I agree that it wasn't really anything special. But I guess it was a memorable pizza all the same.
lawofmurphy at 11:25AM on 10/29/08
I am in Mystic right now - been eating my way through the area. I have not been to Mystic pizza yet. Well, except to take a photo. I am disappointed to know that the movie was not filmed there but I have also been to Stonington to eat at Noah's so I suppose I was close to the "scene of the cinematic crime". I have been reviewing the restaurants I've hit on fork you blog.
Daniel, thanks for the recommendation on the Sea Swirl. I have three more days left to sample the local fare!
susan25526 at 12:00PM on 10/29/08
Mystic Pizza is probably the most disgusting pizza place I have ever been to.. I went to school in the South and have been to places that served ketchup and craft slices on Wonder Bread.. Well not really but, you get the point..
They even have one of those rotating pizza things that are housed inside the glass box with the heat lamps.. The type of machine you find at gas stations..
Its shameful how gross the pizza is there. Get a lobster roll down the street and get your pictured taken out front.
NYBITECLUB at 2:49PM on 10/29/08
susan if you go to Sea Swirl try the whole belly clams (the only way to go) and in stonington try the Pizza Lady and her soupy pizza (YUM) at least it was a year and a half ago. When i was growing up she used to make the rounds of certain neighborhoods and you would order a half sheet or a whole sheet a week in advance. And no choice in toppings all she had was the old fashioned tomato pie.
huneybumper at 4:25PM on 10/29/08
@NYBITECLUB: That's sad to hear. Those spinning pizza cases are essentially coffins for pizza.
Adam Kuban at 5:34PM on 10/29/08
I have been eating pizza for long time.I never fail to eat the pizza a day.I wanna eat more.
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