New York Style Pizzas | How They Were Made Back In The Days

Throughout the world, pizzas are made using various methods, which is why different countries make their pizzas in their own unique way. However, in the year 1905, the city of New York took a major step in the pizza industry. Various pizzas parlous gradually started to open up and were able to land quite a few customers. Back in the day, these pizza parlous served their customers with what were called ‘pies’. Con-temporarily, we simply call them pizzas; however, in those days they went by the term ‘pizza pies’. Want to learn regarding the history of New York pizzas? Keep reading through the article, and you’ll learn quite a few interesting facts about the pizza parlous that were famous back in the day.

How did it all start?

As you might’ve read above, pizza parlours started to enter the market in the year 1905. But who’s responsible for the introduction of this famous cuisine? Well, it all started when a small pizza parlour called ‘Lombardi’ made its way in the borough of Manhattan. As a matter of fact, the name of this pizza parlour ‘Lombardi’ was derived from the sir name of Gennaro Lombardi. Gennaro Lombardi was an immigrant from Italy. Gennaro moved to New York in 1897 and there his career took a big turn. He managed to open up a small-scale grocery store that sold common goods. However, he and his employee Antonio Totonno Pero had also started selling pizzas in the same store to see if they were a profitable investment or not. To their surprise, their pizzas started selling like hotcakes. Hence, after quite a few successful sales, Gennaro decided to open up his own pizza parlour called Lombardi.

How was New York-style pizzas baked?

In the contemporary world, famous pizza joints usually use advanced ovens for baking their pizzas. However, initially, pizza artists in New York used to bake their pizzas in masonry ovens using hard coal instead of wood. These ovens had the capacity to reach a temperature of almost 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. The primary reason behind coal-based baking was that coal simply burned much more efficiently as compared to wood. Therefore, in those days, coal-based baking was considered to be quite normal, and customers really used to enjoy the end product. Nowadays, gas ovens are used to make this delicious dish. They do taste exceptionally good. However, pizzas made back then were excellent in their own way.

What are the ingredients used in a New York-style pizza?

The ingredients used in a New York-style pizza have been mostly the same since 1905; nevertheless, many pizza joints have experimented with various ingredients in order to make to their pizza taste better. But the thing about New York-style pizzas is that the ingredients used are plain and simple. This is why this particular dish tastes so good. For your information, the three essential ingredients used in a classic New York Style pizza are given below.

1. Sugar: New York-style pizzas tend to use sugar in their dough for one crucial reason. The purpose of sugar in pizza dough is quite simple. Sugar basically helps the yeast in the dough rise better. Even today, famous pizza parlours use sugar as a primary ingredient for this purpose.

2. Olive Oil: A New York pizza is typically known for its crunchy and soft crust. The reason behind is this crunchiness is due to the presence of olive oil. Olive oil which is brushed onto the dough helps in preventing any liquids from entering it.

3. Flour: The flour that is used in a New York-style pizza is usually high in gluten. Gluten helps in giving a nice and solid structure to the dough. Without gluten-based flour, the dough will most likely get stuck to surfaces and break.

Famous pizza parlous that came after ‘Lombardi’

After Lombardi made its name among the citizens of Manhattan, many pizza parlours started to open up in various parts of the city. During the 1950s pizza parlours became quite common in New York, and one would be able to find quite a few in every corner. Below you can check out some of the famous and well-known pizza places that have been dominating the food industry in the city of New York.

1. Joe and Pat’s (1960): Based on Staten Island, Joe and Pat’s is a well-known pizza parlour that serves mouth-watering pizza pies. Joe and Pat’s is mostly known for its vodka pies that are served with fresh mozzarella topped with basil leaves.

2. Elegante (1960): Elegante Pizzeria is a pizza joint based near Bay Ridge in Brooklyn. This pizza joint is mostly famous for its chicken rolls as well as its specialty pizzas. Overall it’s a nice dine-in restaurant with a friendly environment.

3. Luigi’s (1973): Luigi’s pizza which is based near Park Slope in Brooklyn, is considered to be one of the best pizza joints in all of New York. Luigi’s pizza has an extensive range of pizza pies that have an irresistible taste.

4. Full moon (1976): Located near Arthur Avenue, full moon pizza has a wide range of delectable dishes, although they are mostly known for their delicious pizza slices. And apart from pizzas, they serve calzones, wraps and pastas as well. Full moon pizza has had a lot of happy and satisfied customers through the years, and the majority of them have left good reviews.

5. Nino’s (1973): Also located in Brooklyn, New York, Nino’s pizza is known to make exquisite pizzas, and they don’t just stop at that. They also make and sell pastas, sandwiches and chicken wings. They are quite well-known for the crispy type of pizza that they make. Furthermore, they care a lot about their customers. As a brand, they proclaim that “no order is too small nor is any request too big”. 

6. Joe’s Pizza (1975): A pizzeria known for the delectable kinds of pizza it makes, Joe’s Pizza is one of a kind. Based in Manhattan alongside several other states, it produces and sells a wide assortment of pizzas and other specialties that include the likes of wings and potato wedges. They are quite known by people all across America. A rendition of Joe’s Pizza has even been mentioned in the Spiderman franchise as well. 

Conclusion

Conclusively, New York pizzas have made quite the impression over the last couple of years. Their classical taste is what has set them apart from contemporary world pizzas. Besides, New York is a particular city where pizzas have been known to be tasty, delicious and well-baked.

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