The Pizza Debate That Divides Food Lovers
Few food arguments are as heated and contentious as the age-old struggle between thin crust and deep dish pizza. All can agree that pizza is the ultimate comfort food, but disagreement sets in regarding which style of pizza is best.
Some prefer the crunchy, foldable bliss of thin crust or the dense, rich folds of deep dish. It is not merely about individual taste—it’s a debate that runs deep in terms of history, local pride, and the culinary art of making pizzas. Still, what divides these two popular forms?
In this blog, we’ll break down the origins, characteristics, nutritional aspects, and public opinion of both thin crust and deep dish pizza to help answer the ultimate question: which one is the best pizza style? For brownie points, we will also explore how to find the perfect pizza if you are wondering where to get the best pizza delivery in Washington DC.
The Origins: Where Did Thin Crust & Deep Dish Begin?
Thin Crust: The Italian Classic That Conquered the World
Well then, let’s go back to 18th-century Italy, Naples. That’s where thin crust pizza first made its debut, known back then as Neapolitan pizza. It had a crust that was super thin yet airy, with a darkened edge, and just a couple of toppings. It was made for the working-class folks who needed something quick and satisfying.
Then, when Italian immigrants traveled to cities such as New York and Chicago, they took this classic with them. But, surprise, it changed its face! The Neapolitan style became what we know today as New York-style pizza. It has a thicker, more pliable slice, with a crust that’s crunchy but chewy—pretty interesting, right?
And let’s not forget Rome! They jumped into the mix too, creating their take on it: Roman-style pizza. This one’s even thinner and has a crunchier texture compared to its Neapolitan cousin.
Chicago’s gift to pizza innovation: Deep Dish
Deep dish pizza, unlike thin crust, was not an Italian export; rather, it was an American invention. ‘Pizzeria Uno’ in Chicago introduced a fresh pizza type in 1943 meant to be a more filling, meal-worthy dish. Flat, foldable crust substituted by deep dish has a thick, buttery base baked in a pan and ingredients stacked in reverse; cheese first, next toppings, and, lastly, tomato sauce on top.
Easily becoming a Chicago staple, this robust approach established itself as the most well-known gastronomic export of the city.
Even you can make your own delicious & mouthwatering Deep Dish Pizza!
What distinguishes deep dish?
Deep Dish pizza is an adventure more than just pizza. Pressed deep into a pan, the thick, buttery crust creates space for levels of cheese, toppings, and tomato sauce. The reverse layering strategy stops the cheese from burning, therefore food every time is especially tasty and abundant.
Why Do People Love Deep Dish Pizza?
Why do people love Deep Dish so much? It is the ultimate comfort food for people around the world because of its perfect balance of texture, flavors, and endless customizability.
Incredibly filling: one hearty portion is usually enough to fill you up, so it’s a fine option to split.
More indulgent: The layers of sauce, toppings, and cheese offer a rich, tasty experience.
Perfect for slow eating: a deep dish is meant to be savored; thin crust is sometimes devoured rapidly.
Thin Crust Pizza: The light, crispy favorite
What is a thin crust?
Since thin-crust pizza is famous for being crispy and slightly chewy, it allows the toppings to be the focus of the meal, and the sauce can be appreciated without the heavy bread that comes with thicker-crust pizza. The crust can vary from light and crunchy (Roman) to thick and foldable (New York) to even airy and fluffy (Neapolitan) depending on the style.
Easier to eat on the go: A large piece could be folded and eaten with one hand, making it particularly popular among city dwellers constantly on the go.
More about the toppings: Then there are the toppings! With less dough to balance, you truly taste all those amazing flavors of cheese, sauce, and toppings. It’s a burst of taste!
Cooks quickly: Let us also remember how rapidly it cooks. Throw it in a hot oven; in a few moments, you have a steaming hot pizza prepared to go. Ideal for those who cannot wait too long for their dinner.
Considered a lighter option: With a thinner base, it tends to have fewer calories per slice than its deep dish counterpart.
The Rise of Artisanal Thin Crust Pizzas
Though traditional pizza is often associated with a standard thin crust, a new wave of artisanal craft pizza shops is emerging worldwide. These specialty pizzerias elevate thin crust to an art form, offering creations that any true thin-crust enthusiast would admire. The modern pizzerias add pervasive and high-quality ingredients into the process alongside using wood-fired ovens with all the toppings mixed up in novel ways that alleviate the whole experience!
Locally Sourced Ingredients: Gourmet pizzerias are producing thin-crust pizzas with perfected taste and quality by using locally sourced items, such as organic meats and even homemade sauces from a farm. Fresh vegetables are included as well.
Creative Flavor Pairings: Truffle-mushroom to spicy honey-glazed pepperoni, thin crust pizzas’ flavor is gaining uncharted territories with bold flavors such as these.
Wood-Fired Perfection: Wood-fired ovens enable pizzaiolo to bake into a perfect balance of crispy, chewy, and smoky. All of these will change the taste buds for pizza.
For pizza lovers seeking a gourmet twist on the traditional thin crust, artisanal pizzerias will offer an exciting evolution of this time-honored favorite.
Take a look at this article on the rising popularity of ‘Artisanal Pizza’.
Popular Variations
Neapolitan: The original thin crust pizza is also the first thin crust pizza. This is sacrilegious. In other words, it is cooked with Buffalo mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, and fresh basil on a crust that is not too thin. It is more real, honest, and full of modern tastes. Usually smaller—maybe 12 inches—Neapolitan pizza tends to go for much smaller individual-sized selections.
New York Pizza: New York-style pizza, famous for its big, foldable slices, features a chewy but crispy crust with perfect ingredients of cheese and sauce. Known for its street food appeal, this style enables pizza lovers to snatch a slice, fold it in half, and eat on the go. It is popular in busy urban settings where quick, tasty meals are de rigueur.
Roman Style: For those who adore super-thin, cracker-like crunchiness, Roman-style pizza is ideal. With every bite, this version offers a pleasant flavor. Roman pizza is usually sliced in rectangular slices and offered by weight, unlike Neapolitan or New York-style pizza, hence appealing to people who want variation.
Where to Find the Best Pizza for Every Craving
The winner of the debate? Drumroll, please. The jury is out and both deep dish and thin crust have their appeal! It is more about preference, not right or wrong. Are you hungry for a more substantial meal needing a knife and fork or something quick and portable for a casual bite? You could feel like having the slow, gooey goodness of a deep dish, or perhaps you are bent for the satisfying crunch of a thin crust. If you are looking for an over-the-top deep dish experience or a savory thin-crust adventure, pick a pizza spot that’s famous for maintaining crispy crusts and fresh toppings, even when they’re on the move.
Pizza is best when it is made with quality ingredients, expert craftsmanship, and a passion for flavor. Whether you’re searching for the best pizza in Washington DC or just looking to settle the debate yourself, make sure to order from a place that knows how to craft a truly great pizza! Come drop by Manny & Olga’s—the most reliable pizzeria for pizza delivery in Washington D.C.