National Pizza Pie Day

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National Pizza Pie Day

It’s hard to imagine a world without pizza. Pizza’s journey in the United States began with Italian immigrants in New York. In what is now known as Little Italy, Gennaro Lombardi opened the first pizzeria in 1905. Made in the classic New York style using a coal oven and thin crust, Lombardi began the entire lineage of NYC pizza. Eventually, pizza makers trained at Lombardi’s began to spread across the city and open up second generation facilities, which still flourish to this day – Totonno’s in Brooklyn in 1924, John’s of Bleecker Street in 1929, and others.

Pizza also flourished in other cities, and it began to expand beyond its Italian roots. In Chicago following World War II, Ike Sewell, a Texan living in Chicago, invented a deep-dish style pizza at Pizzeria Uno. Like Lombardi’s pies in New York, the new style spread across the city of Chicago.

In the late 20th century, California invented its own style. In what could be viewed as a return to the pre-modern pizza styles of 16th century Naples, toppings varied and included ingredients like goat cheese, truffles, artichokes, and other vegetables for a “healthier”, California style. These new pies were the invention of Ed LaDou, who was hired by Wolfgang Puck to make pizzas at his new restaurant, Spago. In the mid 80s, LaDou left Spago when he became a minority partner in California Pizza Kitchen, where his barbecue chicken pizza became famous.

We wanted to share a few of our favorite spots to get a slide of pizza in honor of National Pizza Pie Day. Share in the comments your favorite pizza spot! 

MIlwaukee Area

• Ann’s Italian Restaurant 5969 S. 108th Pl., Hales Corners
• Zaffiro’s 1724 North Farewell Ave., Milwaukee
• Ian’s Pizza Lower East Side, Juneau Town, and Story Hill
• Tenuta’s Italian Restaurant 2995 Clement Ave., Bay View
• Ned’s 3246 South 27th Street, Milwaukee
• Anodyne Coffee 2920 S. Kinnickinnic, Milwaukee
• Balistreri’s Italian American Ristorante 6501 West Blue Mound Road, Milwaukee
• Maria’s 5025 W Forest Home Ave., Milwaukee
• Fixture Pizza Pub 623 S 2nd St., Milwaukee 
• San Giorgio Pizzeria Napoletana 838 N. Old World Third St., Milwaukee
• Santino’s Little Italy 352 East Stewart Street, Milwaukee
• Transfer Pizzeria Café101 W Mitchell St., Milwaukee
• Vinchi’s Pizza 3158 S Howell Ave., Milwaukee
• Alphonso’s 1119 South 108th St., West Allis
• Organ Piper  4353 S. 108th St., Greenfield
• Pizzeria Scotty 9809 W. Oklahoma Ave., West Allis
• Wy’east Pizza 5601 W. Vliet Street, Wauwatosa

Waukesha County

• Pepino’s 600 Hartbrook Dr, Hartland, WI 53029
• Michael’s Italian 1400 S Grand Ave, Waukesha, WI 53189
• North Lake Inn  W315N7707 Hwy 83  North Lake, WI 53064
• Doc’s Pewaukee N38W27081 Parkside Rd., Pewaukee
• Park Avenue Pizza 121 Park Ave., Pewaukee
• Jimmy’s Grotto 314 E Main St., Waukesha 
• EB’s Milwaukee Pizza Company 309 W Main St., Waukesha 
• Mia’s Italian Restaurant 800 Clinton St., Waukesha
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Walworth County

• Gino’s East 300 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva
• Next Door Pub 411 Interchange N., Lake Geneva
• Rosati’s Pizza 240 Edwards Blvd., Lake Geneva
• Oakfire 831 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva

Kenosha/Racine

• Infusino’s 6800 39th Ave., Kenosha
• Villa D’Carlo 5140 6th Ave., Kenosha 
• Wells Brothers Pizza 2148 Mead St., Mt Pleasant
• Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen and Restaurant 7531 39th Ave., Kenosha, WI

Sheboygan

• Il Ratrovo 515 S 8th St., Sheboygan
• Parker John’s BBQ & Pizza 705 Riverfront Dr., Sheboygan
• Pit Stop Pizza 1108 Fond Du Lac Ave., Sheboygan Falls

Dodge/Jefferson/Rock

• Salamone’s Pizza 1245 Madison Ave., Fort Atkinson
• Tillys 900 4th St., Beloit, WI 
• Lisa’s Pizzeria 1650 Center Ave., Janesville
• Blue Moon Restaurant 117 S Main St., Lake Mills
• Timber Creek Pizza 134 E Lake St., Lake Mills

Tags: Community, national pizza pie day, pizza

Categories: Community, Community Feature