Whether you’re ordering a pie to enjoy on a night in or at your favorite pizza place, nothing compares to a slice. While pizza is undoubtedly one of the nation’s most widely-beloved foods, there is some debate about certain aspects of the dish. Here is the truth behind four common myths. 

Debunking Misconceptions About Pizza

1. Pizza Comes From Italy 

Pizza, as we know it, was popularized in Naples, Italy. However, pizza did not originate in Italy. There is evidence ancient Persians, Greeks, Babylonians, Armenians, Egyptians, and Israelis made a similar dish. It is most likely the food you’ll get at your local pizza place originated with the Greeks, whose concept was taken by the Romans and adopted in Italy.

2. U.S. Vets Brought Pizza to the States 

There is a myth that American troops brought pizza to the U.S. when returning from WWII. While pizza’s popularity spread across the pond around 1945, it is highly unlikely this was due to U.S. troops having tasted the pie in Italy.

For one, there were limited troops in Italy. Most were based in the north and west of Europe. At the time, the dish was still regional, limited to Naples, where many residents were starving and unable to get the ingredients to make pizza. In truth, pizza’s popularity in the U.S. is more likely a result of Italian immigration. 

3. The Best Pepperoni Is in Italy 

If you order a pepperoni pizza in Italy, you would receive one with bell peppers, since pepperoni means pepper in Italian. Pepperoni is a wholly American invention. In Italy, meats are usually cured, fermented, and aged, rather than smoked. Salame piccante, a spicy pork sausage, is the closest to pepperoni sausage that you’ll find in Italy. 

If your mouth is watering at the thought of pizza, stop by Papa Rocco’s in Gulf Shores, AL. This local pizza place and bar is the ideal place for a date night, with happy hour, live entertainment, and a range of delicious dishes and drinks to choose from. It’s also ideal for family dinners, with carryout and sit-in options. Call (251) 948-7262 to place an order or visit the website to view their menu.