What Type of Pizza to Order?

When we order a pizza, so rarely do we make time to specify the type of pizza. Usually all we think about is which meats or other toppings, and how much cheese. However there is so much more.

Pizza is a popular dish found around the world. Most pizzas are made with an oven-baked, flat, generally round bread that is often covered with tomatoes or a tomato-based sauce and cheese. Other toppings are added according to region, culture, or personal preference.

The first list, below, includes generically available pizza types. The second list includes brand name pizza types.

New York-style Pizza
Wide, thin and foldable slices. Traditionally made only with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Hand-tossed and light on cheese. Flavor often attributed to the minerals present in New York City tap water used to make the dough.

Chicago-style Pizza
Deep-dish style pizza. Outer buttery crust is taller than the rest of the pie. Pizza usually consists of lots of cheese and tomato sauce.

New Haven-style Pizza
Original plain pizza consists of crust, oregano, chopped garlic, tomato sauce and a small amount of parmesan or pecorino romano cheese. Mozzarella is considered an additional topping. Other popular toppings include: fresh littleneck clams and anchovie-based marinara sauce.

California-style Pizza
Unique to this style of pizza is variety of non-traditional toppings including barbecue, curry, eggs, goat cheese, fresh vegetables, artichokes, bean sprouts and peanut sauce. Generally smaller in size.

St. Louis-style Pizza
Although round in shape, this style pizza is often cut into squares or rectangles instead of pie-shaped slices. This is due to the fact that this pie is usually made with a super-thin yeast-less crust with lots of toppings. The most common cheese is called provel which is a combination of provolone, swiss and white cheddar. Provel is used instead of mozzarella.

Detroit-style Pizza
Square deep-dish pizza with toppings under the sauce. Crusts are also known to be twice-baked for a chewy medium well-done state. Flavored crusts are also popular such as sesame, butter, garlic, onion.

Sicilian Pizza
Thick-crusted square pizza with cheese under the sauce. Thick usually means the crust is over an inch! Traditional Sicilian includes pecorino cheese with bits of anchovies.

Greek Pizza
Oily thick chewy crusted baked pizza with authentic toppings including feta cheese, onion, Kalamata olives, fresh tomato, green bell peppers, spinach and sometimes gyros meat.

Mexican Pizza
Corn or flour tortilla crust with salsa, refried beans, cheddar and/or Monterey Jack cheese. Toppings include carne asada, spiced beef, guacamole, jalapenos, green chiles, chorizo and sour cream.

Hawaiian Pizza
Round pizza with cheese, tomato, ham, onions and pineapple. Some versions will also add bacon, shrimp, green pepper, mushrooms and/or jalapenos.

Pizza al taglio (aka Pizza Rustica)
Large rectangular-shaped pizza with tomato sauce and cheese plus no more than 2 extra toppings. Toppings include: artichoke, asparagus, eggplant, ground meat, potato, prosciutto, salami, sausage, Truffle/oil, or zucchini.

Pissaladiere Pizza
Bready dough pizza without tomato sauce. Some varieties include cheese, others do not. Traditional toppings include sauteed onions, olives, garlic and anchovies.