National Pizza Day is on Saturday, Feb. 9th this year, and we’re celebrating the only way we know how—with a slice (or four), of course!

 

Pizza… Where would we be without that holy trinity of dough, cheese, and tomato sauce? If the tomato hadn’t been introduced to Naples in the 16th century, we might very well know the answer to that question.

Luckily, we don’t have to speculate. Since the addition of tomatoes to Italian flatbread, the history of pizza has only grown more colorful—literally! As legend has it, pizza maker Raffaele Esposito created the first Pizza Margherita in 1889 to honor the Queen consort of Italy, Margherita of Savoy. The pizza was garnished with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil to represent the red, white, and green of the Italian flag. Whether fact or fiction, it is undoubtedly a delicious tale.

Pizza soon made its way across the pond in 1905 when Gennaro Lombardi established America’s first pizzeria, Lombardi’s, in New York City. And, as they say, the rest is history.

Today, pizza is so celebrated that it’s been awarded its own national holiday! Fortunately, there are countless places to grab a slice in the East End and Shadyside, many of which are within walking distance from Franklin West apartments!

In fact, if you take a short stroll from Centre Avenue to S. Highland Avenue, you’ll see that there are no fewer than five restaurants that primarily serve pizza, and each is different!

Here are a few to try if you haven’t already:

Dinette
Slice on Broadway
Pizza Taglio
Capri Pizza
Vento’s Pizza
Pizza Parma
Pizza Perfectta

If you travel just a few blocks over to the Western end of Shadyside on Walnut Street, you’ll find several more top-notch pizza places, from Mercurio’s to Shady Grove and likely many more spots in between!

However you celebrate, we hope you find a slice that makes you smile!