Medford on Long Island Sound in New York state is a hamlet that began its existence as a station built by the Long Island Railroad in the mid-19th century. It remained just a train stop for almost a hundred years until town planners purchased large tracts of the surrounding agricultural lands with the aim of developing them.

Medford's evolution as a bedroom community was a lengthy process and didn't reach any level of success until the opening of the Long Island Expressway, the I-495, in the 1970s. The I-495 created a better access route to New York City and people finally became interested in relocating there. The interest resulted in the construction of several new neighborhoods in the hamlet, increasing its population to around twenty-five thousand.

Some of those that moved to Medford relocated there with the intention of opening hospitality businesses rather than commuting to jobs elsewhere. They were of Italian descent and so at last, Medford was blessed with its first Italian restaurants which were only too happy to provide the local community with pizzas.

Medford in New York is known for Sicilian-style pizza

Medford is known for Sicilian-style pizza and you'll find it on offer in the majority of Medford pizzerias. The origins of Sicilian-style pizza can be traced back to the Italian island of Sicily where it's been the go-to bake for as long as anyone can remember. Recipes for this pizza are family treasures and handed down from generation to generation and when Italian migrants crossed the oceans to resettle in America, they brought their pizza recipes with them. Sicilian-style pizza is a thick crust pie that has a base that's a different texture and appearance to a regular thick crust pie. Sicilian-style is spongier, is cooked in rectangular trays and cut into squares for serving. Traditionally baked without cheese or extra toppings, in the US you'll often find a Sicilian-style pizza is served with both.

Best Delivery Pizza in Medford, New York

When you have a group of friends around to watch a game or are catering for a kid’s birthday party, you need a big pie, but one that's made well no matter what size it is. To get the best, and biggest, delivery pizza in Medford you should order from Pizza Corner as they know how to make huge pizzas that don't lose their integrity for being extra large. Pizza Corner has a premises on the NY-112 in the Motor Vehicles-Staples shopping complex that's straight out of the fast food joint design catalog. It's neat, tidy and definitely the sort of place you'd be happy to make a pit stop in if you were on the road. But in the case of delivery pizzas, they'll bring them to you so all you have to do once you've ordered is sit back, relax and wait for the doorbell to ring.

Best Takeout Pizza in Medford, New York

After spending the morning exploring the Holtsville Wildlife and Ecology Center you're more than likely thinking of getting a take-out pizza for lunch and why not? If you want the best take-out pizza in Medford all you have to do is make your way to Mama Bella's Pizzeria and Restaurant on the NY-112. Mama Bella's has a large premises on NY-112 that's fronted by a parking lot. As soon as you drive up, you'll begin to feel the Italian welcome when you notice the potted plants at the entrance. That welcome just gets warmer when you walk through the door and into the trattoria-style interior. Try not to get too distracted by the displays of Sicilian cakes and pastries before you order your pizza. Just like Mama Bella's pizzas, they're totally tempting.

Best Pizza near Medford, New York

Huntington

Take a trip twenty-five miles northeast from Medford and you'll be able to spend an interesting day in Huntington. If you're into the arts then the first place you'll want to have a look around is the Heckscher Museum of Art where they have collections containing works by Long Island artists as well as renowned international and American masters. After spending a few hours there you may well be ready for a breath of fresh air and some exercise. The best spot in Huntington to do that is Heckscher Park which is eighteen acres of lawned and wooded parklands with several ornamental ponds. Before you start the journey home, drop by La Nonna's on East Main Street for a real Italian pie.

Riverhead

For a fun family day out you could do worse than motor the twenty-two miles it takes to get from Medford to Riverhead. Riverhead is a town on the shores of the Great Peconic Bay at the head of the Peconic River. That's not the fun part of going to Riverhead though. Start the day by taking the kids to see the Big Duck, a visitor center built in the shape of a duck where you can pick up information about the local area. After you've wowed them with that, take them to the Long Island Aquarium where they’ll be even more wowed by the sharks, penguins and sea lions. If it's the right time of the year, they'll be thrilled with a visit to the Splish Splash Water Park before having a pizza at The Roadhouse on West Main Street.

Great River

Great River is a short fifteen mile drive southwest from Medford and the ideal place to go if you want some quality outdoor time. In Great River you'll have a choice of amazing state parks to visit. The first, the Connetquot River State Park Preserve has over fifty miles of trails winding through three and a half thousand acres of varied landscapes. The second is the Heckscher State Park which, although it's only around half the size, has a great beach area that's popular for surfing and swimming as well as for setting off into Great South Bay with a canoe or kayak. There are multiple trails here too as well as a disc golf course. If you're thinking it sounds like the perfect place for a picnic, you can pick up a pizza from Renzo's on East Main Street on the way there.