Boston, Massachusetts – Pizza has become a staple of American cuisine, with various regional varieties adding their own unique spin to the beloved dish. Introduced to North America by Italian immigrants in the late 1800s, pizza only gained widespread popularity after World War II. Since then, different areas of the country have developed their own pizza traditions, each with distinct characteristics and flavors. From the South Shore Bar pizza in Boston to Quad Cities style pizza in Illinois and Iowa, here are some lesser-known regional pizza variations across the United States.
One iconic pizza variety is the South Shore Bar pizza, known for its small size and unique cooking method. Originating from the South Shore of Boston, this pizza differs from the traditional pie, featuring a 10″ size and a crust that is essentially fried while baking in an extremely well-oiled pan. Topped with cheddar cheese and a variety of other toppings, these pizzas are commonly found in bars near Boston and are served between thick paper plates in a brown paper bag.
Another regional pizza style is the pizza strip from Rhode Island, inspired by Sicilian-style pizza. Also known as bakery pizza or party pizza, these strips are served at room temperature and do not feature melted cheese. Instead, the sauce takes center stage, making it a simpler celebration of the often-overlooked element of pizza.
Moving to Connecticut, pizza enthusiasts can indulge in New Haven-style apizza, a unique variation that does not come with mozzarella as a standard topping. Instead, it is charred in a coal oven, resulting in a thin, charred crust that is topped with a variety of ingredients. Similarly, Grandma pizza from Long Island, New York, differs from the traditional New York-style slices, cut into squares and cooked in a heavily-oiled sheet pan.
In the Midwest, the Quad Cities style pizza refers to a unique pizza variety found in Rock Island and Moline, Illinois, and Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa. This style of pizza features a malted dough and is topped with a spicy tomato sauce, ground sausage, mozzarella, and oregano, then baked in a hot oven. Unlike other pizza styles, it is cut with scissors and served in squares, offering a distinct pizza experience for residents and visitors in the region.
Last but not least, St. Louis-style pizza stands out with its thin, crispy, and crunchy crust that is completely covered in toppings. Using a unique cheese called Provel, which is a blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone cheeses, this pizza variety offers a gooey, creamy, and deliciously cheesy experience that is distinct to St. Louis.
Each of these regional pizza varieties showcases the diversity and innovation within American pizza culture, offering a tantalizing array of flavors and textures for pizza enthusiasts to explore. Whether it’s the charred crust of New Haven-style apizza or the unique Provel cheese of St. Louis-style pizza, these regional variations highlight the creativity and tradition that make pizza a beloved dish across the United States.