Pizza Place Near Me

Few restaurants in America hold the popularity and influence as the local pizza place. Commonly one of the most popular foods amongst diners of all ages, pizza is as much a part of US culture as it is Italian. Even the pickiest eaters often cite pizza as being a favorite food, both in terms of comfort and taste.

Are you interested in finding a pizza place near you? Simply browse pizza place near me on the map below and find a list of pizza places located in a close proximity to your current location. Need a bit more information on pizza? Read on for interesting facts, trivia, and history on pizza!

Pizza Place Near Me – Find it on the Map

Pizza Place Near Me – Pizza Place Trivia

When did the first pizza place open in the United States?

In the modern day, nearly every American neighborhood has at least one pizza place, with many bearing two or three. As you search pizza place near me, consider the humble beginnings of pizza in America. The first American pizza place was founded in 1905 when Gennaro Lombardi applied for a license to make and sell pizza in New York City at his grocery store on Spring Street. At the time, Spring Street was the epicenter of a thriving Italian-American neighborhood, which leant itself to immediate success. In 1912, Joe’s Tomato Pies opened in Trenton, New Jersey as the second designated pizza shop in the US. Twelve years later, Anthony Pero, who formerly worked at Lombardi’s pizza, left to open a location known as Totonno’s in Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY. A year later in 1925, an iconic pizzeria was opened in New Haven Connecticut by Frank Pepe. The thirties saw a spike in the amount of pizzerias in the United States, as successful pizza places soon spread to places such as Boston and San Francisco. Pizza places were quickly becoming a neighborhood staple amongst Italian American immigrants. Pizza was at this time a poor person’s food that was consumed by factory working Italians who needed a satisfying and quick dining experience.

When did pizza hit the mainstream in the United States?

Despite escalating popularity throughout the 1930s, pizza didn’t garner mainstream popularity in the United States until after World War II. Consider these facts as you search pizza place near me. When American GIs stationed in Italy finally returned home after the brutality that was war, they came back with a strong hankering for the delicious pizza they had enjoyed overseas. Few things brought comfort during war time, but GIs found solace in the comfort food that is pizza. One returning soldier, Ira Nevin, used his experiences during the war, combined with experience at his father’s business, to build the very first gas fired Bakers Pride pizza oven. The pizza oven allowed restaurants and retailers to bake pizzas quickly, cleanly, and cheaply. Though Nevin was armed with little knowledge and a pizza oven, Nevin quickly went into the pizza business and changed pizza history as we know it.

Pizza Place Near Me – Pizza Place Facts

Pizza by the Slice

If you’re searching pizza place near me today, you may be hankering for a slice of pizza rather than the whole pie. For a long time, this wasn’t even a possibility among most American pizza places. During pizzas early history, they were sold exclusively by the pie. It wasn’t until 1933 when patrons could purchase pizza by the slice. This is when Patsy Lancieri of Patsy’s Pizza in New York City started offering pizza up by the slice to hungry diners who weren’t interested in consuming a whole pie. This trend quickly spread to other pizzerias who saw the earnings potential amongst lunch crowds and other single customers. Now you can buy a slice at just about any pizza place in the world. Humans aren’t the only ones who truly love pizza. There’s even a mini pizza for dogs called the Heaven Scent Pizza. This dog friendly pie is made up of flour, carrots, celery, and parmesan cheese.

Pizza Lingo

As you search pizza place near me, you may be astounded to know that many pizza places and chefs have their pizza lingo that is used in the kitchen. Pizza chefs worldwide are known for using a wide variety of pizza lingo, especially if their pros at the pizza game. For example, what we see as a ball of dough that’s been stretched and is perfectly ready for toppings is known as a “skin” to pizza chefs. Once stretched out and laid on the pain, the dough does resemble a thin skin. Mushrooms are often referred to as “screamers.” Slices of pepperoni are called “flyers.” Why the strange name for pepperoni? Many skilled pizza chefs are known to throw the pepperoni onto the pizza in the same way one might throw a frisbee. Pizza chefs refer to the internal structure of pizza dough (something that’s taken very seriously) as the “the crumb.” Most pizza makers strive to achieve a crumb that’s airy and containing large holes. You’ll know if your pizza chef is experience if you listen closely to the goings on in the kitchen as you wait for your pizza. Odds are, you’ll hear more than your fair share of pizza lingo!