Just What Exactly is Detroit Style Pizza?

Today is National Detroit Style Pizza Day, which leads many to the question...what exactly is Detroit Style Pizza?

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To explain we'll have to go back 75 years to the very beginning and a family owned pizzeria on Six Mile and Conant street on Detroit’s eastside. That's where owners Gus Guerra and Concetta “Connie” Piccinato first introduced the Motor City pizza at their restaurant Buddy’s Rendezvous Pizzeria.

Detroit Style Pizza

Forget the round version, Detroit Style Pizza is square making those baked edges even tastier. Influenced by square Sicilian-style pizza, the first Detroit Style Pizzas were actually  baked in forged-steel pans borrowed from local automotive plants. Those crunchy corners as just too delicious! Add on pepperoni directly on the dough allowing and top with crumbled Wisconsin brick cheese for the perfect pizza.

Making it a National Celebration

Since those days back on Detroit's eastside and that first square pizza, Buddy's Pizza has become a Detroit treasure. Now, with 17 locations that include restaurants and take-out only spots, Buddy's decided to celebrate 75 years of making pizza in Michigan. In February, Buddy’s, the eatery that started it all, announced that June 23 would now be known as National Detroit-Style Pizza Day.

“This year, we’re celebrating not only 75 years since creating Detroit-Style Pizza, but we’re also celebrating how far the style has grown ever since it started out of a single location in the Motor City in 1946,” says Wes Pikula, chief brand officer of Buddy’s Pizza, in a press release.“Buddy’s has been giving back to the communities we serve for decades, and we want to encourage other Detroit-Style Pizza restaurants to make community giving part of their mission, too. We’re proud to join forces with these other pizzerias to collectively help people in need.”

Several Michigan pizza places have their own take on the Detroit Style Pizza, so be sure to indulge in a little square piece of deliciousness today to celebrate!