Colony Grill Brings Stamford Bar Pie Empire to Glastonbury

The aroma of caramelized cheese and charred crust that has defined Colony Grill’s corner of Stamford since 1935 is heading to Hartford County. The bar pie institution announced plans to open its 11th location in Glastonbury, marking the first time the fiercely local chain will serve its paper-thin pizzas east of the Connecticut River.

For nearly nine decades, Colony Grill has embodied a particular slice of Connecticut culture — the neighborhood tavern where regulars debate everything from Yankees lineups to local politics over beers and impossibly thin pizzas topped with their signature “hot oil.” What started as a single storefront on Myrtle Avenue in Stamford’s Shippan neighborhood has become something of a cult phenomenon, expanding carefully while maintaining the no-frills atmosphere that made it a Fairfield County institution.

“We’ve always been deliberate about growth,” said a Colony Grill spokesperson. “Every new location needs to capture that authentic neighborhood feel. Glastonbury feels like the right community for what we do.”

The Glastonbury location represents more than geographic expansion — it’s a bridge between Connecticut’s distinct regional food cultures. While Food & Dining scenes in Fairfield County often reflect proximity to New York City, and New Haven County claims the iconic apizza tradition, Hartford County has long maintained its own culinary identity. Colony’s arrival suggests the boundaries between these regional tastes are becoming more fluid.

Colony Grill’s bar pie style — ultra-thin crust stretched to transparency, minimal sauce, cheese that bubbles and chars at the edges — occupies a unique niche in Connecticut’s pizza landscape. Unlike New Haven’s coal-fired apizza or New York’s foldable slices, bar pies demand to be eaten with a knife and fork, accompanied by cold beer in a dimly lit room where conversation flows as freely as the taps.

The chain’s expansion strategy has been notably conservative. After decades as a Stamford-only operation, Colony began opening new locations in 2019, choosing spots in Fairfield, Norwalk, and Port Chester, New York — all within the gravitational pull of their original base. Recent years have seen them venture into Milford and Branford, testing the waters in New Haven County before this Hartford County leap.

This measured approach stands in stark contrast to the rapid expansion and subsequent contraction that has marked Connecticut’s restaurant scene in recent years. While established names like Jimmies of Savin Rock closed after 100 years serving Connecticut’s shoreline, and other longtime institutions have struggled with changing dining habits, Colony has managed to grow while preserving the authenticity that made it special.

The Glastonbury location will feature Colony’s standard design elements: dark wood, vintage beer signs, and the open kitchen where customers can watch their bar pies emerge from gas ovens that reach temperatures approaching 700 degrees. The menu will mirror other locations, featuring the classic cheese bar pie alongside variations topped with pepperoni, sausage, or their famous “stinger” pie with hot cherry peppers.

Glastonbury’s restaurant scene has evolved considerably in recent years, with new establishments bringing more diverse dining options to the historic Connecticut River town. Colony’s arrival adds another layer to this evolution, introducing Hartford County diners to a Fairfield County institution that has rarely strayed far from its Stamford roots.

The opening timeline remains fluid, with Colony officials indicating they’re working through permitting and construction details. The location will mark Colony’s furthest expansion from Stamford, a 45-minute drive that represents both geographic and cultural territory for the chain.

For Colony Grill regulars, the Glastonbury opening raises familiar questions about whether the chain can maintain its neighborhood tavern feel as it grows. Each new location tests the delicate balance between accessibility and authenticity that defines successful local restaurant expansion.

The bar pie tradition itself reflects Connecticut’s working-class tavern culture, where thin-crust pizzas served as bar snacks rather than full meals. Colony’s success has been rooted in preserving this tradition even as dining habits have shifted toward more elaborate food experiences. Their Glastonbury expansion will test whether this authenticity resonates beyond Colony’s traditional Fairfield County stronghold.

Early indications suggest Hartford County diners are ready for the Colony experience. Social media response to the announcement has been overwhelmingly positive, with many noting the absence of quality bar pie options in the Hartford area. Several commenters mentioned driving to Stamford or Norwalk specifically for Colony, suggesting built-in demand for the Glastonbury location.

The opening also represents a vote of confidence in Connecticut’s restaurant market at a time when the industry continues to navigate post-pandemic challenges. While some establishments have struggled with staffing and supply chain issues, Colony’s expansion suggests opportunities remain for restaurants that offer distinctive experiences rooted in local tradition.

For Glastonbury residents, Colony’s arrival means access to a slice of Connecticut culinary history that has been largely confined to the state’s southwestern corner. Whether the bar pie tradition will take root in Hartford County remains to be seen, but Colony Grill’s careful expansion strategy suggests they’re betting on Connecticut diners’ appreciation for authentic, unpretentious food served in genuine neighborhood settings.

The new Colony Grill location is expected to open later this year, bringing Stamford’s signature bar pies to Hartford County for the first time in the chain’s 88-year history.