All foodies recognize New York City as one of the best pizza destinations in the world. Pizza in New York is part of the city’s rich history. So much so that the Big Apple has a pizza style named after it, The New York Style Pizza. But that doesn’t mean that you have to go to New York to enjoy pizza. If you’re in Seattle and are craving some pizza, you should head down to Big Mario’s for the best Seattle pizza. Big Mario’s offers you the opportunity to try authentic New York-style pizza with that distinctive taste.
History of the New York-Style Pizza
While the pizza was not invented in New York, the kitchens of the Big Apple have had a great influence on the evolution of this meal resulting in what many people know as the New York Style Pizza. The actual origin of pizza is highly disputed with the Egyptians and the Greeks laying claim on the flatbread that later came to form the base of the pizza. There is however no doubt that what we recognize today as the classic cheese pizza originated in Naples in the 16th century. By the 1800s, pizza had become a popular meal in southern and central Italy with many pizzerias popping up everywhere in these regions.
The first Pizzeria in the US was established hundreds of years later by an Italian immigrant, Gennaro Lombardi. He began selling pizzas in a small grocery store he owned in Little Italy along with his employee Antonio Totonno Pero. These pizzas became so popular that they had to establish a pizzeria, Lombardi’s, separate from the grocery store in 1905. This original pizzeria still continues to serve Neapolitan pies in New York even though it has its fair share of competition.
What Makes the New York Style Pizza Unique
The first pizzeria established in New York served classic Neapolitan Pizzas and continues to do so to this day. So what exactly are New York-style pizzas and what sets them apart from the original pizza that was introduced to the US hundreds of years ago? There are two features that many pizza enthusiasts will pick if asked to.
The first is the crust. New York-style pizzas are known for having a large and thin crust. The average New York-style pizza is about 18 inches in diameter. The large and thin crust is achieved by hand tossing the crust. Each slice of the New York-style pizza is therefore large and can be folded in half because it is thin.
When it comes to generous-sized pizzas, there’s no better place to go in Seattle than Big Mario’s. Big Mario’s offers you the opportunity to try the best NY-style pizza in Seattle just like New Yorkers do it. The pies at Big Mario’s are large. They are prepared using traditional hand-tossing techniques handed down from the establishment by Mario himself. You can enjoy a large and filling slice of pizza folded to keep everything intact. There’s no need to worry about grease dripping all over your lap or your face.
Many people also agree that the New York-style pizza crust is another distinguishing element. Some enthusiasts claim that the distinguishing flavor and texture of the crust is due to the minerals in New York’s water. However, this has not been scientifically proven. The flavor and texture of the crust is more likely the result of the type of flour used as well as the method of preparation and baking the pies.
Big Mario’s Pizza continues to use high-gluten bread flour for preparing the crust. The dough is proven and then hand-tossed. The pies are placed in extremely hot wood-fired ovens to cook. The extreme temperature is what helps to achieve that crispy outside and soft chewy inside. It is also believed that cooking the pies in either a coal-fired or wood-fired oven gives the pies a low-key smoky flavor which contributes to the overall unique flavor of the pies.
A World of Variety
Big Mario’s Pizza isn’t just great for their authenticity but also for the wide variety of options available. The menu at the pizzeria caters to all tastes and preferences. Whether you’re craving a classic cheese and pepperoni pizza or are looking for the best vegan pizza Capitol Hill has to offer, you’re sure to find something on Big Mario’s menu to meet your needs. If not, there is always the option to build your pizza from scratch. You choose everything from the base sauce to the toppings. You can create a New York style pizza that fits your personal preferences.
If you’re in Seattle and are craving a pizza, visit Big Mario’s Pizza or order your pizza and have it delivered to your location.