When you think of pizza what type do you think of? Thin crust, thick crust, Chicago style, or New York style? Do you get enamored or overwhelmed with choosing toppings? Pizza is one of the most beloved foods in not just the US, but the world. Interestingly enough, pizza actually has somewhat humble and practical roots in history.
The routes can be traced back to Naples, a thriving waterfront city in the early 1700’s and 1800’s. The working-class citizens (the overwhelming majority of people) required quick, easy, and inexpensive food. Pizza started as a simple flatbread with a few toppings that could be consumed while on the move. Think of it like the walk-up pizza windows by the slice you find in big cities and on college campuses.
Pizza likely started on some kind of focaccia bread but evolved quickly. It stayed mostly central to what is now Italy until Italians started immigrating to the US. It served as an affordable meal that Italians could continue to make and eat even in an entirely different country.
The first pizza shop was documented in the US in 1905. Lombardi’s Pizzeria is still open in Manhattan but is not at its original location. Some say it is the most famous and best pizza in the US. However, as you know the “best” pizza is a highly debated and highly personal topic so we won’t get into pizza politics.
What is interesting though is that the types of pizza available didn’t really expand until after World War II. During this time soldiers were exposed to Italian shops and all kinds of pizza combinations. Of course, they wrote home about it and pizza exploded even more in the US after their return.
Overnight, pizza turned from an “Italian immigrant food” to a food that knew no limits. It could be fast, fun, and easy or it could be incredibly gourmet. However enjoyed, it was here to stay!