What Is New York Style Pizza?

When you have been in New York City (NYC), you come across different pizza restaurants. It means you have tasted a slice of pizza. Moreover, New York has become home to several pizzerias that are offering delicious New York style pizza to consumers. The trends for this pizza category elevated when Italian immigrants introduced pizza to the United States of America, especially NYC, in the 1990s. 

New York pizza is the history of pizza that contains larger slices with a thin and crispy crust. Mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce are used as the traditional topping for this magnificent pizza. 

New York Pizza is an 18-inch large pizza that is usually sold as 8 slices or a single slice to facilitate the foodie persons. A traditional coal-fired oven and a modern regular gas oven are used to bake the pizza. But What is the best cheese for pizza? Classic mozzarella is the famous cheese for a pizza.

New York Style Pizza History

In 1905, Gennaro Lombardi opened the first-ever pizzeria named Lombardi in Little Italy near Manhattan to bake the New York-style pizza. Antonio Totonno Pero was an employee who had baked slices of pizzas that were sold for only 5¢. However, he left his job in 1924 to open his own pizza shop in Coney Island. 

In 1933, Patsy was opened in Harlem to serve pizzas to customers. It is important to note that all three pizzerias used coal-fired ovens for baking pizzas. These pizza shops are still in operation to bake and provide delicious pizza slices. In 1964, Domenico DeMarco started Di Fara Pizza to serve the perfect combinations of Neapolitan and New York styles. 

There are a number of pizzerias in New York City, the name of which is Ray's Pizza, and different iterations in different locations. Ralph Cuomo opened the 1st Ray's Pizza in Little Italy and was closed in October 2011. It is important to note that pizzerias at that time were not popular, with personalized pizza boxes to store and present pizzas.

New York Style Pizza Ingredients

A New York Pizza contains more ingredients than a Neapolitan pizza. A hand-tossed dough is created through the addition of olive and sugar in the water, yeast, and high-gluten bread flour. Some people also have the opinion that the minerals available in NYC tap water ensure the distinctive texture and flavor of their crust. 

Pepper, basil, oregano, crushed herbs, salt, garlic, olive oil, sugar, and canned tomatoes to create tomato sauce. New York-style pizzas can contain additional toppings such as cheese, sausage, pepperoni, and vegetables. The common condiments are grated Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano.

What Makes New York Pizza Different?

1. Thin Crust: This pizza category has a foldable and thin crust that is chewy inside and crispy on the outside, allowing pizzerias to add fabulous toppings. 

2. Large Slices: Every slice of this pizza is large, placed on paper plates, and folded in half to facilitate the customers' easiest eating experience.

3. Simple Toppings: A traditional pizza includes a combo of mozzarella chees and tomato sauce. Peppers, mushrooms, pepperoni, and onions are the famous toppings for New York pizza.

4. High-Heat Brick Ovens: The best New York pizzerias always utilize high-heat brick ovens to ensure the excellent crispiness of the pizza crusts. 

5. Water: The water of New York City differentiates this pizza from other types of pizzas. It is crucial to remember that New York City water contains an exceptional mineral composition than other cities. It ensures the unique texture and flavor of pizzas to serve every customer who prefers NY Pizza.

6. Foldability: New York Pizza is a foldable treat for every customer. It enables potential customers to hold and enjoy every single slice of pizza with a hand. Therefore, it has become the best street food to enjoy at any time.

7. Tradition And Culture: The surrounding culture is also making this pizza a different treat from other fast food items. There is a long-lasting tradition with New York Pizza in the city because of the unique methods and recipes.

Popular Types Of New York Pizza 

1. New York Style Pizza: It is a classic thin and foldable crust in the presence of gooey mozzarella chees and tomato sauce. The trending toppings for this pizza are mushrooms, pepperoni, peppers, and sausage. 

2. Neapolitan Pizza: This pizza has little charred edges and a thin crust. Olive oil, basil, mozzarella chees, and San Marzano tomatoes are the famous toppings for this pizza category.

3. Sicilian Pizza: It is a square pizza with an airy and thick crust. Pizzarias uses a rectangular pan to bake this pizza with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce. There are additional toppings, such as pepperoni, peppers, and onions. 

4. Grandma Pizza: It is a variation of Sicilian pizza that has a crispy and thinner crust on edges and bottom. Basil, olive oil, fresh mozzarella, garlic, and tomato sauce are available as a topping.

5. Upside-Down Pizza: This is a unique pizza that contains cheese on top of the dough with sauce and toppings. The melding of toppings and cheese results in a fabulous flavor to ensure a delicious eating experience.

Difference Between Chicago And New York Pizza

• Crust

New York Pizza has a crispy, hand-tossed, thin, and foldable crust. Chicago Pizza has a deep and thick crust with delicious cheese and toppings.

• Toppings

A New York-style pizza has simple toppings such as sauce and cheese. There are also additional topping options like peppers, mushrooms, and pepperoni. Chicago-style pizza contains vegetables, meats, tomato sauce, and cheese. 

• Shape And Size

New York Pizza contains large slices and is served on paper plates, whereas Chicago Pizza contains the wedges in a round pan.

• Baking Method

A high-heat brick oven is used to bake New York Pizza, whereas a deep pan is used to bake Chicago Pizza.

• Flavor Profile

New York Pizza has a lighter flavor, whereas Chicago Pizza has a richer flavor.