National Deep Dish Day

A happy group of people sharing a deep dish pizza, wearing aprons, in a cozy pizzeria with classic red-checkered tablecloth and pizza boxes in the background.. — National deep dish day illustration

Hey there, deep dish enthusiasts! Get ready to dig in and celebrate National Deep Dish Day. This mouthwatering occasion is all about indulging in the cheesy, saucy goodness of deep dish pizza. So, grab your appetite and get ready for a saucy adventure!

When is Deep Dish Day?

It's national deep dish day on the 5th April.

The Delectable Origin of Deep Dish Pizza

Deep dish pizza, also known as Chicago-style pizza, is a culinary delight that originated in the Windy City. Legend has it that in the 1940s, a pizzeria called Pizzeria Uno decided to switch things up by creating a pie with a thick and buttery crust that can hold a boatload of toppings. Thus, the deep dish pizza was born.

Featuring a deep, pillowy crust, a layer of cheese, and a generous helping of sauce, this pizza is a true delight for pizza lovers across the globe. It's a hearty and filling dish that's perfect for sharing with loved ones or indulging in all by yourself.

Celebrating Deep Dish Day

To celebrate National Deep Dish Day, gather your friends and family and head to your favorite pizzeria or try making your own deep dish masterpiece at home. Don't be shy with the cheese and toppings - the more, the merrier! It's a day to savor every bite and enjoy the gooey, cheesy goodness.

And hey, why not organize a friendly deep dish pizza eating contest? See who can devour the most delicious deep dish slices in record time. Just make sure to have plenty of napkins handy to wipe away the sauce mustaches!

History behind the term 'Deep Dish'

1943

The Birth of Deep Dish

In 1943, deep dish pizza made its debut at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago, Illinois. Ike Sewell, the owner of Pizzeria Uno, wanted to create a pizza that was unique and different from the typical New York-style thin crust. The deep dish pizza was born, featuring a thick, buttery crust and a generous amount of cheese and toppings. This new style of pizza quickly gained popularity among Chicagoans and became an iconic dish of the city.

1943

The Birth of Deep Dish

The term 'deep dish' originated in 1943 when the deep-dish pizza was created at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago, Illinois. It was invented by Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo, who wanted to offer a pizza with a thick crust and a substantial amount of toppings. The deep-dish pizza quickly gained popularity for its unique and indulgent style.

1943

The Invention

In 1943, a man named Ike Sewell and his business partner, Ric Riccardo, opened a restaurant called Pizzeria Uno in Chicago. Wanting to offer something different from the traditional thin-crust pizza, they decided to create a new style of pizza that would become known as deep dish. The deep dish pizza was characterized by its tall, thick crust and layers of cheese, toppings, and sauce.

1943

The Birth of Deep Dish

In 1943, deep dish pizza was born in Chicago. Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo, the founders of Pizzeria Uno, created a new style of pizza that featured a thick, buttery crust and was filled with generous layers of cheese, tomato sauce, and various toppings. This innovative pizza quickly gained popularity and became known as deep dish.

1943

The Birth of Deep Dish

In 1943, deep dish pizza was born in Chicago. Ike Sewell, the owner of Pizzeria Uno, and his chef, Rudy Malnati Sr., created this iconic style of pizza by baking it in a round, deep pan with high sides. The crust is thick and buttery, the cheese is gooey, and the toppings are layered in reverse order, with the sauce on top. This innovative pizza quickly became a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

1943

The Inception of Deep Dish

In 1943, the term 'deep dish' was first used to describe a style of pizza that originated in the city of Chicago. This style of pizza is characterized by its thick, buttery crust and its deep, dense layers of cheese, sauce, and toppings. The deep dish pizza quickly gained popularity and became synonymous with the cuisine of Chicago.

1955

Expansion and Rivalry

In 1955, Pizzeria Due, another restaurant owned by Ike Sewell, opened its doors right next to Pizzeria Uno. Both restaurants claimed to serve the original deep dish pizza, sparking a friendly rivalry between the two establishments. This competition only helped to further popularize the deep dish pizza and solidify its place in Chicago's culinary scene.

1947

Pizzeria Uno and the Deep Dish Revolution

In 1947, Pizzeria Uno, a famous pizza restaurant in Chicago, played a significant role in popularizing deep dish pizza. Pizzeria Uno, founded by Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo, served the first deep dish pizza, which consisted of a crispy crust, chunky tomato sauce, and generous amounts of mozzarella cheese. This innovative approach to pizza quickly captured the hearts and taste buds of locals and tourists alike.

1955

Expansion to Pizzeria Due

In 1955, due to the immense popularity of deep dish pizza, Sewell and Malnati opened a second location called Pizzeria Due. The new restaurant allowed them to meet the growing demand for their delicious deep dish creations. Pizzeria Due became just as beloved as its predecessor, adding to the deep dish pizza craze sweeping through Chicago.

1947

Trademarking the Name

In 1947, Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo successfully trademarked the name 'Deep Dish Pizza,' ensuring that only their pizzeria and authorized franchises could use the term. This trademark further popularized the unique style of pizza and helped establish its identity as a Chicago specialty.

1955

Deep Dish becomes a Menu Icon

By 1955, deep dish pizza had become an iconic item on the menu of Pizzeria Uno. Its unique taste and texture attracted customers from all around the city, and soon, deep dish started spreading its roots in other pizzerias in Chicago. The term 'deep dish' became synonymous with this style of pizza, distinguishing it from other thin-crust variations.

1970s

Expansion and Variation

During the 1970s, the deep-dish pizza trend spread beyond Chicago and started gaining recognition nationwide. Other pizzerias in Chicago, as well as in different cities, began offering their own versions of deep-dish pizza. Some variations included stuffed crusts, different cheese blends, and a variety of toppings to cater to diverse tastes.

1987

Official Recognition

In 1987, the deep-dish pizza gained further recognition when it was declared the 'Official State Pie of Illinois' by the Illinois state legislature. This official recognition solidified the cultural significance of deep dish not only in Chicago but also throughout the state. It became an iconic dish representing the culinary heritage of Illinois.

1971

Deep Dish Goes National

Deep dish pizza gained national recognition in 1971 when Chicago Magazine published an article titled 'Great Moments in the Evolution of Chicago Cuisine,' featuring Pizzeria Uno's deep dish pizza as one of the highlights. This extensive exposure brought attention to the unique style of pizza and led to the establishment of several other deep dish pizza restaurants in Chicago and beyond.

1970s

The Expansion and Variations of Deep Dish

During the 1970s, the popularity of deep dish pizza skyrocketed, leading to the opening of numerous pizzerias specializing in this unique style of pizza not only in Chicago but also in other parts of the United States. As the years passed, variations of deep dish pizza emerged, including stuffed deep dish, which features an extra layer of dough on top, and the reverse deep dish, which flips the order of the ingredients, with cheese on the bottom and sauce on top.

1970s

Chicago Deep Dish Goes National

By the 1970s, the reputation of Chicago-style deep dish pizza had spread beyond the Windy City. People from all over the country began to crave this indulgent, deep-dish delight. As word spread, more pizzerias across the United States started offering their own versions of deep dish pizza, inspired by the original from Uno's and Due's. Chicago-style deep dish had successfully made its mark on the national culinary scene.

1971

Deep Dish Goes National

In 1971, Pizzeria Uno's deep dish pizza gained national recognition when it was featured on The Today Show. This exposure led to an influx of visitors to Chicago, who were eager to try this legendary pizza. As tourists rejoiced over the deliciousness of deep dish, its popularity soared and made it a must-try dish for anyone visiting the Windy City.

1971

Pizzeria Uno Expansion

By 1971, the Deep Dish Pizza from Pizzeria Uno had gained significant popularity. As a result, the owners decided to expand their business by opening a second location called Pizzeria Due. This expansion marked the spreading popularity of deep dish pizza beyond its original restaurant.

1987

Pizza Wars: Deep Dish vs. New York Style

1987 witnessed a fierce rivalry between deep dish and New York-style pizza. The debate over which style was superior sparked intense discussions between Chicagoans and New Yorkers. Deep dish, known for its rich flavors and thick crust, stood its ground against the thin, foldable slices of New York-style pizza. This feud only served to increase the recognition and cultural impact of deep dish.

Today

Global Popularity

In the present day, deep-dish pizza has achieved worldwide popularity. Despite being a regional specialty, it is celebrated and enjoyed by pizza lovers all over the world. The distinctive characteristics of a deep-dish pizza, such as its thick buttery crust, generous cheese layer, and abundant toppings, continue to make it a unique and sought-after dish in the culinary scene.

1987

Deep Dish Goes National

In 1987, due to the increasing popularity and demand for deep dish pizza, Pizzeria Uno started selling frozen deep dish pizzas for nationwide distribution. This move allowed people from all over the United States to enjoy the unique flavors and textures of deep dish pizza without having to travel to Chicago.

1987

Official Recognition of Deep Dish Day

In 1987, the Mayor of Chicago, Harold Washington, officially declared April 5th as 'Deep Dish Pizza Day' to celebrate this iconic dish. This recognition further solidified deep dish pizza as a celebrated symbol of Chicago's culinary heritage and drew attention to the city's thriving pizza culture.

1990s

International Recognition

In the 1990s, deep dish pizza gained international recognition and became synonymous with Chicago. Tourists visiting the city made it a must-try item on their culinary bucket lists. Deep dish pizza evolved into a cultural icon that represented Chicago's rich food culture and culinary heritage. It continues to be a favorite dish for both locals and visitors, cementing its place as one of the most famous pizza styles in the world.

1987

Official Deep Dish Day

On April 5, 1987, the mayor of Chicago, Harold Washington, declared the first ever 'Deep Dish Pizza Day' in honor of this beloved culinary creation. This official recognition solidified deep dish pizza's status as a cultural icon in Chicago and further established its place in the hearts and stomachs of pizza lovers everywhere.

2021

Deep Dish Goes International

Deep dish pizza has now gained global recognition and has become synonymous with the city of Chicago. It is offered in pizzerias worldwide and has even inspired variations in other countries. The term 'deep dish' has become a culinary term known by pizza lovers all around the world.

Present Day

Global Popularity of Deep Dish

Today, deep dish pizza is enjoyed not only in Chicago but also around the world. Its reputation as a delicious and indulgent pizza style has led to the opening of deep dish pizzerias in various countries. While the debate between deep dish and thin crust pizza continues, there is no denying the cultural impact and enduring popularity of deep dish pizza.

Present

Deep Dish Worldwide

Today, deep dish pizza can be found in various parts of the world, but its origins and popularity still remain deeply rooted in the city of Chicago. It has become synonymous with the city's food culture and is often a must-try for visitors. Whether you prefer thin crust or deep dish, there's no denying the impact that deep dish pizza has had on the pizza landscape and the culinary world as a whole.

1994

Deep Dish on the Silver Screen

Deep dish pizza secured its place in pop culture with the release of the movie 'The Little Rascals' in 1994. In a memorable scene, the characters enjoy a mouthwatering deep dish pizza at Pizzeria Uno. This moment immortalized deep dish pizza as an iconic symbol of Chicago, further cementing its cultural impact as a beloved culinary delight.

Did you know?

Did you know that deep dish pizza is so popular in Chicago that it has its own pizza category? Yep, there's even a Pizza Fests every summer in the city, celebrating all things pizza, including deep dish creations!