What is New York Style Pizza
Few foods evoke as passionate a response as pizza. Central to this discussion is the quintessential American masterpiece: New York style pizza. It is likely that you came across the thin, foldable, and delicious slice in a small-town pizzeria or have strolled in the streets of Manhattan.
But what factors contribute to the importance of New York style pizza, and why is it considered the gold standard of pizza? Moreover, how did it achieve global fame from humble immigrant origins? Join me in this journey to uncover the saucy, cheesy, and delightful world of New York pizza.
A Brief History of New York Style Pizza
The first pizzeria, Lombardi’s, is rooted in the history of New York style pizza. Established in 1905 in Manhattan, Lombardi’s marked the start of a revolution in pizza across America. The history of New York style pizza dates back to the early 1900s, when Italian immigrants came to the USA and introduced their Neapolitan pizza.
The classic Neapolitan pie has, over time, undergone an American transformation. The dough is now stretched thinner, the slices are larger, and the crust is thin yet crisp, foldable, and perfect for on-the-go consumption. This style is especially popular in fast-paced cities such as New York.
The style evolved within Italian-American communities, but spread rapidly throughout the city and beyond. This gave rise to what we now know and love as New York style pizza.
What Makes New York Style Pizza Unique?
It wouldn’t be pizza without the purists. They are the backbone of the pizza world, and for a good reason. New York style pizza is ,without a doubt, the creation of a few distinguishing factors:
Thin, Foldable Crust
It is thin enough to fold in half but retains its structure so it does not fall apart. What is referred to as the ‘cornicione,’ the outer edge of the pizza, is thicker and has a crisp yet chewy consistency.
High-Gluten Dough
Using high-gluten bread flour, the New York pizza dough has a strong, elastic texture. Some attribute the unique taste of the crust to the tap water in New York City, which is known for its high mineral content. This subject has become legendary for pizza lovers.
Hand Tossed and Stone Baked
New York pizzerias do hand-toss pizza and then bake it in deck ovens on stone or brick surfaces. This practice yields a characteristic bottom crisp and char.
Simple Sauce and Cheese
The sauce does contain some tomato base which could be sweet and tangy and finished with oregano, garlic, and crushed red pepper. A low moisture mozzarella is a generous layer which melts and browns harmoniously in the oven.
Giant, Triangular Slices
The enjoyment of New York pizza is enhanced when it is folded, cradled, and savored. A single slice can measure a hand’s width and hand-held length, and will require two paper plates.
The art of savoring one New York slice has no spoken guidelines, such as:
Grab the slice and hold the crust.
Lengthwise, fold it in the middle. This helps with topping retention.
The cheese stretch is best when tilted and bite. Savor the combination of crunch and chew that the bite brings.
It does not require a knife or a fork. A table is non-essential. What is needed is a paper plate and a slice of pizza paradise.
Toppings: Maintain Tradition or Innovate?
The New York Cheese pizza slice is timeless but so is the beauty of Best New York style pizza because of its versatile nature where the options are endless:
Pepperoni – A spicy crowd pleaser with crisp edges.
Sausage and Mushroom – Savory and earthy.
White Pizza – No sauce with ricotta, mozzarella, garlic, and delicious dollops of shredded cheese.
Veggie Deluxe – Lighter with the addition of spinach, peppers, and black olives.
Mac and cheese, eggplant parm, or even BBQ and buffalos chicken are amongst the more adventurous options. No matter what, the foundation is thin and flavorful pizza crust, perfect sauce, and melty cheese.
A California twist to New York style pizza is Ghiringhelli’s.
The birthplace of the iconic slice is New York City, but they are coast to coast. Like Ghiringhelli’s pizza, they are still keeping the tradition alive and well. Ghiringhelli’s is in Northern California and blends east coast authenticity with west coast quality. From pizza lovers all over, the hand-tossed stone-baked New York style pizza from Ghiringhelli’s is enjoyed, with premium mozzarella, bold sauce, and gourmet or traditional toppings.
What sets Ghiringhelli’s apart is their adherence to craft and meticulous attention to fresh and local ingredients. Each pie is done with precision, whether it’s the classic cheese, or the “Popeye” pizza with spinach, ricotta, and garlic.
If it’s the bold, New York Flavors combined with the California touch that you’re after, Ghiringhelli’s brings it to you both literally and figuratively.
Why We Keep Coming Back to the Slice
The New York style pizza is infused with comfort, nostalgia, and for some, even emotional. Perhaps it’s the straightforwardness. Perhaps it is the late nights, city lights, or families coming together that it reminds one of.
Every style of pizza gets popular and fades, one thing that will outlast the test of time is the “New York style” Pizza. It is consistent. It is reliable. It is always satisfying. It always remains in trend.
Regardless of whether one ventured to New York and had it on the street corners of Queens, or from a local pizzeria in California, the fondness of New York pizza is something that all people have in common.
Final Thoughts
New York Style pizza is not merely a delicacy; it embodies an entire culture. The unique blend of ingredients creates that irresistible crunch, a delightful chew, and perfect portions of sauce and cheese which artfully contribute to the pizza’s worldwide admiration. The love pizzerias like Ghiringhelli’s have for their craft means that you don’t have to board a flight to Manhattan to relish an authentic slice.
Next time you enjoy a thin, foldable, cheesy slice, remember you are savoring more than pizza: you are savoring a culinary tradition that has been evolving for over a century and still unites people, one delectable slice at a time.