What is The History of Pizza?

Pizza is one of the most popular foods globally, enjoyed by people of all ages and from all walks of life. It is a great option whether you're having a night in with friends, watching the game with family, or out on a date. But as you are biting into a fresh slice, have you ever wondered about the origins of pizza?

History of Modern Pizza

Pizza was first created in Naples, Italy, as a convenient, inexpensive, and flavorful meal for working-class Neapolitans on the go back in either the 18th or 19th century. It wasn't until the 1940s that Italian immigrants introduced their traditional pizza slices to the United States.

After World War II, the return of American servicemen stationed in Italy boosted the dish's popularity. In the second part of the 20th century, pizza rose to prominence as a popular meal in the United States, cementing its status as an American staple. Slowly the traditional pizza evolved into our American version over time as our ancestors took creative liberty over the Italian dish.

The History of Pizza Delivery

Pizza delivery is a practice that started in the 19th century. Long before you were born, even before the invention of cars. Legend has it the first person to have pizza delivered to her home was Queen Margherita in 1861 in Naples, Italy. Her palate was tired of eating French food and wanted a change. This was when she decided to request pizza from a famous local eatery.

Chef Raffaele was the restaurant owner challenged with creating her majesty’s pizzas. The chef made three pizzas and delivered them to the queen, and that is how pizza delivery got its start. The three pizzas had different ingredients like tomatoes, mozzarella, garlic, anchovies, and basil.

What Were The Original Pizza Toppings?

The first pizzas were pretty basic, with a doughy crust and simple toppings like cheese, tomatoes, or anchovies. More elaborate versions with multiple toppings were also available, but they tended to be more expensive. Some of the more unusual combinations included pineapple and ham, anchovies, and olives.

Over time, more elaborate toppings were added. Today there are endless possibilities when it comes to pizza toppings. You can find pizzas with all sorts of meats and vegetables. If you are ready to take your pizza experience to the next level, you’ll want to try out some of our different sauce options including Alfredo, BBQ, Ranch, Pesto, and Buffalo sauce.

When Did Westside Pizza Start Its Business?

Our first restaurant opened its doors to customers back in 1996. Over those 26 years, we’ve expanded from Washington into Idaho, California, Utah, and Texas! We have become one of America's favorite pizza delivery restaurants. We have the best food and delivery service, and take pride in our versatility and customer service.

Many of our award-winning establishments are recognized for more than just our outstanding pizzas. We're recognized for our commitment to being involved with and giving back to our local communities.

Hungry for Delicious Pizza Near You?

Order your favorite pizza from your local Westside Pizza, and we'll deliver it right to your doorstep! With our variety of options, you’ll be sure to find exactly what you love to take a bite of our history in the making.

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