Mystic Pizza’s story began in 1973 when the Zelepos family opened their small pizza shop in Mystic, Connecticut. What started as a local favorite soon became a phenomenon, thanks to their “secret recipe” and the passion they poured into their family-run business. The pizza’s addictive flavors quickly gained a loyal following, attracting people from all over.

In a twist of fate, screenwriter Amy Jones, who was spending her summer in the area, discovered the charm of Mystic Pizza and used it as the inspiration and backdrop for her film. The movie “Mystic Pizza,” released in 1988, starred a young Julia Roberts and followed the lives of three waitresses in a small-town pizzeria. It was a success, earning praise from critics like Siskel and Ebert, who gave it two thumbs up. The movie catapulted Mystic Pizza into the spotlight, and fans flocked to the original shop in search of “A Slice of Heaven.”

Lines stretched down the street, and the small pizzeria struggled to keep up with the demand. As customers eagerly collected menus, matchbooks, and other souvenirs, the Zelepos family realized they needed to expand. They opened Mystic Pizza II in North Stonington, yet the appetite for their legendary pizza continued to grow. The iconic shop, now forever linked with Hollywood history, became known as “the pizza that made the movie famous.”

Mystic Pizza remains a destination worth visiting, both for its history and for its delicious pizza that has stood the test of time.

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