Every single day, one out of eight Americans consumes pizza. As one of the nation’s most popular foods, this delightful combination of crispy crust, marinara sauce, cheese, and toppings is satisfying and perfect for sharing with friends and family. Before ordering your next take-out pizza for dinner, here’s some interesting history on the origins of this dish. 

What’s the Story Behind One of America’s Favorite Foods?

Origins

While pieces of flatbread topped with meat and vegetables date back to the Neolithic era, the pizza we consume today has its origins in 19^th century Naples. The baker Raffaele Esposito is often credited with the first pizza, as flatbread and toppings were a popular street food in the area due to their low price and quick turnaround. Italian immigrants soon brought this filling, delicious, and inexpensive dish to Spain, France, England, and the United States. The very first pizza restaurant in America was opened in New York City in 1905 by Gennaro Lombardi.

Rise in Popularity

In the early 20^th century, as more Italian immigrants established themselves in the United States, pizzerias began to pop up across the nation. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, this dish hit the big time with the creation of chain restaurants offering both take-out and delivery options. Today, Americans eat 100 acres of pizza per day!

Options

One of the reasons why pizza is so popular is its versatility. Thin crust, thick crust, hand-tossed, and wood-fired options offer various crust textures. Specialty pizza can be prepared with or without tomato sauce and can feature unique and exciting toppings like gyro meat, pesto sauce, crab, artichoke hearts, or banana peppers. Vegetarians can enjoy pizza thanks to an array of meat-free toppings loaded onto the dough with or without cheese. Individuals with gluten allergies can request special, gluten-free dough. With so many choices, it’s easy to please a crowd and picky eaters by ordering a few pies.

If you’re craving mouthwatering pizza with fresh ingredients and 100% Wisconsin cheese, Pizza King La Crosse is the perfect spot for take-out. Since 1975, this family-owned and -operated pizza restaurant has served residents throughout the Tri-State area of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. To place an order, call (608) 788-1926. For more information on their menu, which includes gyros, subs, and take-and-bake pies, visit their website.