Nineteen years in a row winning recognition for gourmet pizza? That’s a serious achievement in a food category where almost everyone has a strong opinion.
I have to admit, that kind of winning streak makes me curious about what’s coming out of the oven.
The New Hampshire pizzeria specializes in Neapolitan-style pies cooked at high temperatures, producing thin crusts with the distinctive texture associated with traditional Italian pizza. Its menu combines familiar ingredients with more creative combinations, giving customers plenty of options.
You can stick with a classic favorite or try a specialty pie that introduces different flavors. I like how the restaurant’s approach puts the preparation itself in the spotlight.
Pizza may be one of the simplest comfort foods around, but getting the crust and toppings right takes skill. Nineteen consecutive awards certainly give pizza enthusiasts something to discuss.
The Name On The Sign Belongs To A Real Mom
Every family has a cook who sets the standard, and this one had Nana. Nana’s Kitchen & Pizzeria in Auburn is named for the founder’s mother, the person who shaped his love of food.
She wasn’t just a great home cook either. Nana ran her own sub shop, feeding hungry customers long before her son opened his doors.
That detail changes how the whole restaurant feels. The name isn’t a cute marketing idea dreamed up in a meeting room.
It’s a thank-you note you can actually eat. The restaurant describes its story as rooted in a lifelong love of cooking passed down through family.
I like that kind of origin because it gives every plate a little extra meaning. You’re not just grabbing dinner in New Hampshire, you’re tasting a family tradition that kept going.
Plenty of restaurants borrow a grandma’s name for charm. Few can point to an actual sub shop and an actual recipe that made the trip.
So when you see the sign, think of it as an introduction. Nana isn’t a mascot here.
She’s the reason the kitchen exists, and her influence shows up on the menu in delicious ways.
A Pizza Career That Started With A First Job
Long before he had his own oven, the founder was learning the ropes at Pappy’s Pizza. That first job planted a seed that clearly never stopped growing.
After that came years of experimenting at home. Picture a kitchen counter covered in flour, test batches, and probably a few pies that didn’t make the cut.
He didn’t stop at trial and error, though. The founder also trained with master pizza chefs to sharpen his skills.
That mix of hands-on work and serious study matters. Great pizza looks simple, but small choices about dough, sauce, and baking make a huge difference.
I believe that background explains why the menu feels so confident. Nana’s Kitchen & Pizzeria wasn’t built by someone guessing at what pizza should be.
It was built by someone who spent years chasing the right slice. That kind of patience is rare, and it usually shows up on the plate.
There’s also something fun about the full-circle story. A kid takes a pizza job, grows up, studies the craft, and then opens a place honoring his mom.
Honestly, that’s a better plot than most movies. And this one comes with extra cheese.
Three Days Of Waiting Goes Into Every Crust
Seventy-two hours. That’s how long the dough ferments before it becomes your dinner.
Most of us can’t wait three minutes for a microwave to beep. Meanwhile, this dough is quietly resting for three full days.
Why bother? Long fermentation gives dough time to develop flavor and a better texture, which is a big deal for New York-style pizza.
And New York style is exactly what Nana’s Kitchen & Pizzeria serves. Think large, thin slices built for folding, the kind of pizza that feels at home in any city corner shop.
Each pie starts with the restaurant’s signature red sauce. Then comes mozzarella, the classic finishing touch that ties everything together.
Here’s a simple tip for first-timers. Order a plain cheese or Margherita pizza at least once so you can taste the crust and sauce on their own.
Toppings are great, but basics tell the real story. If the foundation is strong, everything stacked on top only gets better.
Finding authentic New York-style pizza in New Hampshire can feel like a treasure hunt. This crust makes a pretty strong case that the search can end right here.
Fifteen Specialty Pies Make Choosing Delightfully Hard
Short rib mac and cheese on a pizza. Yes, really, and it’s just one of fifteen specialty creations on the menu.
Decision paralysis is a real risk here. The lineup covers classic comfort, sweet-and-salty combos, and a few bold ideas that sound like dares.
Fans of tradition can stick with the Margherita. It’s simple, fresh, and lets that long-fermented crust shine.
Craving some heat? Buffalo Chicken brings the kick, while BBQ Chicken leans smoky and sweet.
Then there’s the Hot Honey pizza, which mixes sweetness with spice. It’s one of the pies that gets talked about most at Nana’s Kitchen & Pizzeria.
Prosciutto & Fig feels like the fancy cousin who studied abroad. Salty meat and sweet fruit make a surprisingly natural pair.
My advice? Bring friends and split a few pies so nobody has to pick just one.
That way you can try a classic, a spicy option, and something wild in a single visit. It’s basically a pizza tasting tour without leaving your table.
With fifteen choices, you’ve also got a built-in reason to come back. Many times, probably.
Nana’s Steak And Cheese Steals Some Of The Spotlight
A pizzeria where a sandwich might be the sentimental favorite? It happens here, and the reason is pure family history.
Nana’s famous steak and cheese from her sub shop inspired a signature item at Nana’s Kitchen & Pizzeria. Her son kept the memory alive by putting it front and center.
I love when a menu item carries a story like that. It turns an ordinary order into a small piece of someone’s past.
The sandwich lineup doesn’t stop with steak, either. The restaurant serves a range of sandwiches alongside appetizers and other fresh creations.
That variety makes the place easy for groups. One person can go full pizza mode while another grabs a hearty sandwich.
Nobody has to compromise, which is the secret to a peaceful family dinner. Fewer debates, more eating.
Here’s a practical idea for your visit. Pair a sandwich with a small pizza to share, so you get both sides of the kitchen’s personality.
The steak and cheese connects you to the sub shop where it all began. The pizza shows where the founder’s own journey led him.
Together, they tell the whole story on one table.
Double Patties Mean These Burgers Mean Business
Smash burgers at a pizza place sound like a side project. Then you notice there are five different styles, all built with double patties.
That’s not a token burger tossed on the menu for picky eaters. It’s a full lineup that gives pizza some real competition.
Smash burgers are pressed thin on a hot surface. The method creates crispy, flavorful edges that make each bite more interesting.
Two patties double that effect, which feels like a very reasonable life choice. Bring a napkin or three.
Of course, a burger needs a sidekick. Nana’s Kitchen & Pizzeria offers House Fries, Seasoned Fries, Sweet Fries, Truffle Fries, and Onion Rings.
Truffle Fries feel a little fancy. Onion Rings bring that classic crunch, and Sweet Fries add a nice change of pace.
If you’re with a group, order a couple of different sides for the table. Everyone can sample without fighting over the last fry.
The burgers prove this kitchen isn’t a one-trick operation. In New Hampshire, where comfort food matters during long winters, having great pizza and serious burgers under one roof feels like a smart win.
Comfort Food Gets A Refined Little Upgrade
Neighborhood pizzerias usually mean paper plates and a soda machine. This place has bigger plans.
Nana’s Kitchen & Pizzeria aims for an upscale American dining experience. The goal is to blend family-friendly comfort with a refined edge.
That balance is trickier than it sounds. Go too fancy and families feel out of place, but stay too casual and date night loses its spark.
The restaurant openly says it wants to elevate the neighborhood pizzeria into something special. That ambition shapes the mood as much as the menu.
Bar seating offers another way to enjoy a meal here. It’s a handy option for pairs who want a quicker, more social spot.
I like that one restaurant can work for so many moments. A family dinner, a casual meetup, or a little celebration all fit naturally.
The kitchen also stresses carefully sourced ingredients. Recipes are built to deliver bold, memorable flavor, which matches that polished vibe.
So dress however you like. Jeans feel right, and so does something a bit nicer, because the place welcomes both.
Good food has a funny way of making everybody feel at home.
An Office Park Is Hiding Some Seriously Good Pizza
Great pizza doesn’t always live on a busy main street. Sometimes it shows up in a commercial park, which is exactly the case here.
You’ll find Nana’s Kitchen & Pizzeria at 15 Dartmouth Drive, Auburn, NH 03032. It’s an unexpected setting for a place with such big flavor goals.
That surprise is part of the fun. Rolling past office-style buildings, you might wonder if your GPS has lost its mind.
Trust it anyway. Once you’re inside, the business park setting fades and the neighborhood restaurant feel takes over.
Auburn sits in southern New Hampshire, close to Manchester. That makes the restaurant an easy trip for folks across the region.
The location works well for a lunch break, too. Since doors open at 11 AM on operating days, midday visits fit nicely into a workday or errand run.
I believe an unusual address can make a restaurant more memorable. You’ll tell friends about the great pizza and the funny place you found it.
Directions become part of the story. And honestly, good stories pair perfectly with a hot slice.
Plan Around Monday And Tuesday Before You Go
Mark your calendar carefully. Nana’s Kitchen & Pizzeria closes on Mondays and Tuesdays, so showing up hungry early in the week ends in sad snack runs.
From Wednesday through Sunday, though, the kitchen is ready. Doors open at 11 AM each of those days.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday hours run until 9 PM. Friday and Saturday stretch an hour later, closing at 10 PM.
That later weekend schedule is handy for night owls. It’s also great after a movie or a long day out exploring New Hampshire.
A smart move is to arrive with a game plan. Decide if you’re in the mood for specialty pies, smash burgers, or Nana’s steak and cheese.
Better yet, bring enough people to try all three. Sharing is the best way to experience this menu without needing a nap afterward.
Lunch can be a relaxed choice if your schedule allows it. Midweek afternoons are a nice time to enjoy the place at an easy pace.
However you plan it, go with an appetite and a little curiosity. A mother’s recipe and a son’s dream are waiting, and both taste even better hot.
