Motor City Magic: The Accidental Birth of Detroit-Style Pizza
Detroit. Home of Motown, the hustle, and... deep-dish pizza's cooler, boxier cousin? That's right, folks, Detroit-style pizza is a thing of beauty, and its origin story is equal parts resourceful and delicious. Buckle up for a ride through history, with a healthy dose of "Mitten" pride (that's a nickname for Michigan, for those not in the know).
 |
| How Was Detroit Style Pizza Invented |
From Speakeasy to Square Pie: The Buddy's Rendezvous Tale
Back in 1946, Gus Guerra had a bit of a problem. His Detroit bar, Buddy's Rendezvous (a former speakeasy, wink wink), needed a new menu item to keep the crowds coming. Enter Anna Guerra, Gus's wife, who – legend has it – borrowed a recipe from either her Sicilian momma or a Sicilian employee named Connie Piccinato. This recipe, for a thick and airy dough, became the foundation for Detroit-style magic.
But there was another hurdle: pans. Back then, your average circular pizza pan wouldn't do. Enter Detroit's industrial ingenuity. Gus, ever the resourceful fella, snagged some heavy-duty rectangular steel pans from a local auto parts supplier. These pans, originally meant for car parts, became the perfect vessel for the crispy-edged, cheesy goodness we know and love today.
Fun Fact: Buddy's still uses these auto pans today! Talk about staying true to your roots.
Tip: Take mental snapshots of important details.
The Rise of a Rectangular Revolution
Detroit-style pizza stayed under the radar for a while, a delicious secret weapon of the Motor City. But over time, its fame grew. The unique crust, the caramelized brick cheese clinging to the edges, the tangy tomato sauce on top – it all became an irresistible combination. By the 2010s, Detroit-style pizza was no longer a local secret, but a national phenomenon.
Now, you can find Detroit-style pizza joints popping up all over the place. But there's something special about grabbing a slice (or the whole dang pie, we don't judge) at the birthplace of this automotive-inspired masterpiece.
Still Hungry for Answers? A Slice of FAQ
How to make Detroit-style pizza at home?
QuickTip: Return to sections that felt unclear.
It's doable! Find a recipe for Sicilian-style dough online, and bake it in a well-seasoned cast iron skillet for that crispy-edged goodness.
How to score Detroit-style pizza?
 |
Use a metal pizza cutter and drag it down firmly to create rectangular slices – almost like little individual pizzas!
Tip: Read slowly to catch the finer details.
How much cheese is on a Detroit-style pizza?
A lot. We're talking a generous amount of brick cheese, with some mozzarella mixed in for good measure. Because, well, cheese is life.
How to find Detroit-style pizza near me?
Tip: Reread slowly for better memory.
A quick Google search with "Detroit-style pizza + your city" should do the trick. But if you're ever in Detroit, Buddy's Rendezvous and Loui's Pizza are the OG spots.
How to resist devouring an entire Detroit-style pizza in one sitting?
...Good luck. We recommend having friends over to share the deliciousness.
 |
