What's the History of New York City Pizza?

Tom Delgado takes you on a short tour of New York City and tells you the history of pizza. He stops at Lombardi's, John's, and Bleecker St. Pizza and talks about the dish's origins in Naples, Italy. Shot by Eric Thirteen.
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Check out the book Pizza: A Global History by Carol Helstosky

[@mikeymutual5489]

OK, the fact that you forgot, and is the most important reason for the spread of pizza - starting in the Northeast, and then nationally, is the invention of the gas pizza oven. The original ovens in NYC were coal-fired brick ovens (originally developed for bread baking), but were too big and expensive (and in many places, outlawed) for most new places to use. But when those gas ovens (the kind that flip down in front) were developed, they were cheap enough for everyone to buy for their places. That's when the dish became widespread.

[@cjaquilino]

For that you have to thank Frank Mastro. There should be a documentary about him even if just a short one. He helped invent the gas deck oven, the slice joint restaurant format, and sold that and pizza equipment and recipes as a package deal *to* Italian American who weren't necessarily bakers from Napoli in Italy where pizza started. Latest evidence shows the earliest pizzamakers in the US were also pizzamakers in Napoli and they started opening pizzerias at least as early as the 1890s and probably before that. The biggest revelation though is early Italian American pizza is actually what's most like what was brought over from Napoli in the 19th century. So in NYC, that's our earliest surviving pizzeria like Totonno's, John's of Bleecker, Lombardi's. Pepe's in New Haven and Papa's and Delorenzo's are also similar to it. It's pizza napoletana in Napoli today that's more different from 19th century Napoli pizza than old American pizza.

[@mikeymutual5489]

@@cjaquilino That's interesting, because early Italian American pizza baking was always done in coal-fired bread ovens. Are you saying that original Neapolitan pizza as we know it was not always made in handmade wood-fired ovens? I would find that hard to believe.

[@cjaquilino]

@@mikeymutual5489 It was definitely made in wood fired ovens in Napoli instead of coal like in NYC and New Haven. But the more important point is the bake time/temperature mid-19th century was near identical to coal oven spots today-5 minutes. And you don’t have to take my word for that. Pizza historian, Scott Wiener, found a London newspaper article from 1860 describing how pizza was made then. It says pizza is baked for 5 minutes until crispy and that it was famed for it's crispiness. That's on his website. That that's inconsistent with modern pizza napoletana that bakes 60-90 seconds is true. But that's because modern pizza napoletana is a reinvention itself. That's the current consensus of pizza historians from Scott to Colin Caplan to Peter Regas to Luca Cesari and Alberto Grandi. You don't get great rise and puffy, pillowy and light crust until you get refined, stronge white "Manitoba" and 00 invented in the 60s. Before that whole/semi-whole wheat flour was the norm. Even today it's still true you get much less rise out whole wheat flour.

[@mikeymutual5489]

@@cjaquilino OK, thanks for the info.

[@conniedelio]

Terrific as always, Tom (and Eric). Native NYer from Queens here. My first bite of “chain” pizza was at a Pizza Hut on a high school trip to Florida. One would be hard-pressed to find any chains in NYC, pre-1990s. Thankfully, our local pizzerias did reasonably well through the pandemic, given that they could work around the restrictions. Nice to see new restaurants opening. Love the monthly shows, Tom! 🎉🎉🎉

[@shannono8397]

have a slice for me please, I'm nowhere near a good pizzaria *it must smell amazing and comforting at your local pie shops :)

[@whatlizziepresents]

Hey Tom / Eric... So I'm a native New Yorker born and raised Brooklyn Baby. There was a pizza box on the corner of Hoyt st. & Douglas st. I think it was Joe's Pizzeria ( not totally sure) but OMG talk about missing good pizza!!! Ih fold that slice, the little bit of grease drip on the paper plate and that DELICIOUS marinara sauce and cheese in my chin...WOWWWW Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Being in Florida for the passed unteen years, miss a good slice.

[@LollyandPop2]

Thank you for educating us in such an entertaining way Tommy!

[@samuelguerrero8333]

I just got back from NYC and I had a little pizza tour. Lombardi’s, John’s on Bleeckers, and Di Fara. Damn, all three were great.

[@TrainsFerriesFeet]

Tom, my grandmother was born in in the UES in 1892 (German Jewish). When I was a teenager, my stepmother made frozen pizza and my grandmother told her she had NEVER had pizza. This was around 1980. She was a lifelong New Yorker and had never had pizza. I was amazed.

[@conniedelio]

Congrats on 70k subs, Tom! Hitting the big time, babay!

[@mikewatson5281]

The only time I was in New York in 2002 a concierge recommended Johns on Bleecker Street. It was absolutely the best pizza I’ve ever had I need to go back.

[@telephonic]

You need to watch One bite pizza reviews on youtube, it got one of the biggest scores ever that place

[@tonyh.6577]

The pizza given to Queen Margharita contained those three toppings because those are the colors of the italian flag, which was intentional on the part of the pizzaiolo.

[@whiterose4062]

Love your videos! I love history and the comedic way you present it 🙂

[@Ericlawless]

Generation X, not a baby boomer...but still... I enjoyed the Morse Code humor.😁😂

[@mitchelljarmellmiller6102]

Great episode. Speaking of pop culture, gotta mention Travolta trotting down the street, slice in hand.

[@rexlex1736]

Historical Fact: Workers were served pizza while building the pyramids. Empty Pizza Hut boxes were discovered in King Tut's tomb. Petrified take out pizzas were found in Pompeii.

[@tnyc3265]

Modern Day Fact: There is a Pizza Hut/KFC across the street from the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza.

[@bansheebot2]

Pizza Tut

[@shadowdog500]

The twinkie they found was still edible.

[@rexlex1736]

@@tnyc3265 Some things never change!

[@surfboard396]

I put in an order and it was not delivered.

[@danstuckie2115]

Moving to midtown. STOKED to find out the closest place to get a slice to my new place is considered by a connoisseur as the best spot in Manhattan. Great videos Tom!

[@veroniquei5012]

Legend has it that Tom is still giving a tour to that slice...

[@Supersammy22-1gv7ej2j]

Legend has that new pizza's garbage.

[@harryjamessmithmusic7762]

Perfect, Tom! Great job, guys! ... Now, I'm hungry at 2:41am! lol (Greetings from the EU!)

[@BradMarcus]

Loving the Gem Spa hat!!

[@iseemelanie]

Bleecker Street Pizza is my fave in NYC. They open pretty early too, so I had it for breakfast when I was there last spring.

[@armandobarbarek]

😂 good video! I've worked at CiCi's, Papa John's, and am currently working aT Domino's part time. If we had over 400 pizza places here, I would visit all of them! I love a good slice

[@calebrobirds3002]

You must have a sad life

[@dootyminnozezelochi2257]

Yo tommy D, can you do a video on the west 28th flower district (between 6th and 7th)? could talk about the history of how it emerged on that particular block, and how tourism and the metastasization of the midtown hotel zone threatens its continued existence. I find it absolutely fascinating how something so specific can emerge in such a specific spot due to the massive scale of agglomeration that occurs in a city like New York, and how one could go years without even knowing it existed and suddenly turn a seemingly random corner and be charmed by such a unique little slice of the world.

[@MrRezRising]

This is a good idea.

[@lamper2]

When i first looked for affordable hotels in NYC, I found The Latham. Now i assume its a shithole but back in the early 80's it served our purpose. Then, we moved up in style to The Seville. Parking in front was possible then if you had a shitty car like my Chevette.

[@suzimerkas5785]

" In what world would I know that ?!? " is the most honest answer I have ever heard.. 🤣🤣

[@larrygrasso6032]

Tom, you're still the best !

[@eddunaway5371]

Good video Eric I wonder if Paul vallro brother still has pizza area that was shown in goodfellows

[@prestonradtke222]

Fun fact, that association in Naples that gives their seal of approval to pizza places? They’ve never given one to a restaurant in New York City.

[@cjaquilino]

And no pizzeria in Napoli has a Michelin star.

[@cjaquilino]

Some of the oldest pizzerias in Napoli don't follow the AVPN rules. It's not particularly based on solid history. It's more of a stamp of quality by their standards. Pre-WWII pizza in Napoli would fail AVPN standards, much less 19th century pizza. 00 flour doesn't even exist until the 60s. They had whoke/semi-whole wheat. Yet 00 flour was a requirement to make "true" Neapolitan pizza. Its rules are incoherent.

[@mikelabelle1145]

If you ever make your way to Vermont, there is a city called Rutland, it has the highest concentration of Italian immigrants Per Capita next to NYC, we also have the 3rd oldest Italian American club in the USA. Ted's pizza opened in 1958 and has pizza that is similar to NYC, I lived in Astoria for 3 years. The sauce, whole milk and smoked pep is just perfect! All the ingredients are house made with recipes that came from the Vignoe family who I believe moved to Rutland from Brooklyn in the early 1900s.

[@alarikaguilar7543]

Awesome awesome video. Always look forward to these

[@LlyleHunter]

You’re singing much better Tom. Getting darn good. Auditioning yet?

[@joshsinsapaugh3410]

I’d consider myself an insufferable NY pizza snob… and… I thought you did good. Great video.

[@compasskid]

Thanks for putting so much into these videos! Been watching for years now, then going and visiting the places you talk about, and I’m now moving to New York. Videos always feel very authentic, keep being you!

[@benjaminniemczyk]

Really good video! The humor is great. Subtle. But there, and it is 'amore'!

[@angelicagaldos]

Awsome video, Tom. Pizza yummy!!

[@3C7S]

Nice gem spa hat! And great vid as always, super informative

[@two3D]

I went to graduate school at nyu and love nyc pizza. But i grew up in Minneapolis. Where Totinos pizza was made. The actual restaurant pizza was much different than the frozen ones. It was rectangular shaped and very cheesy with a red sauce.

[@johnwilmer2551]

Yum !

[@txsphere]

Eric participated a lot. Hope Tom bought him a slice.

[@RUTC01]

The toppings of the Margherita also represent the Italian tricolors; red, white and green.

[@Mrbeahz1]

In the 70s, I'm a displaced New Yorker living in the Bay Area of CA and hating West Coast pizza. I'm watching the Rockford Files one night, and there's two "goons" from Brooklyn, hired to do work in LA. They order pizza. They start eating. One says to the other: "Back in Sheepshead Bay, we t'row up on a crust like dis!"

[@jdo333]

good one councilor 👍👍

[@timothyslaughter476]

Real Italians making unbelievable gravy and mozzarella and delightful dough......its really simple and almost impossible to duplicate.

[@runaway_slav]

Found out about you from Chris Distefano, mentioned about a tour guide comic, thought there was that only other one

[@jameswilkes7824]

I was watching my dominos being made on my app whilst watching the video. 🍕 👀

[@clowchan]

I've tried Bleecker Street pizza before (because of HereBeBarr's recommendation) and I found it to be ok. I really like pizza from Prince Street pizza

[@cjaquilino]

I agree. If you've grew up with New York style pizza, it's not drastically better or worse than any other place. The Nonna Maria is a more flavorful slice than an average one, but that's about all I'd say about Bleecker Street. Way way favor John's of Bleecker.

[@amacot4609]

love the vids! I cant wait to go back.

[@ljtinney]

PIZZA EPISODE!! COWABUNGA!

[@coreymasoy7034]

Cool channel and great topic ❗💯👍

[@AmbroseChamberpot]

thank you, I never understood why I never got drunk eating Margherita Pizza. I need to learn that MetroCard/ATM trick. Pizza was popular in the film "Loverboy (1989). I suggest Hot Honey Sicilian slice at Siena Pizza. How did you know my pants were off? Freakn TikTok.

[@2Wheels_NYC]

Cool review! I love Lombardi's... Been there many times. But, I also grew up with Ellio's in the cafeteria. Living in Flushing, there's many great slice joints by me. Thanks for the history lesson!

[@rennybloch8285]

Always love the videos.. but loving the gem spa hat in this one. Classic!

[@done1675]

That Domino's used to be a ski shop on 8th Street. COVER THAT!

[@naydenlover]

Love pizza and so when I saw this I clicked and I loved it

[@spacecatboy2962]

i bet when anthony dropped the dough on the floor, he did not throw it away

[@angelachanellehuang5663]

History of pizza. This is fun

[@MrRezRising]

Ben's Pizza on MacDougal and 3rd. Right next to Mamouns, Comedy Cellar and Cafe Wa.

[@mikewatson5281]

The greatest reason why pizza spread across the country so rapidly is simply because it is delicious and cheap

[@Larry-qz3es]

Fair warning, when we natives see you eating 🍕with a knife and a fork, you will get the "death stare" from us. lol

[@EatBugsSeeGod]

OMG! THIS is new york.

[@wdestrempsmecke]

Papas Pizza is well worth the trip from the City to Robbinsville. They even have a mustard pizza which is friggin delicious. Check it out.

[@WillieHortonJr]

NYC pizza 🍕 is the best. Worth the trip to New York City to buy yourself a Pie 🍕🍕

[@Supersammy22-1gv7ej2j]

New York pizza...worth a trip? Not even close. You can find so many other better things to do than eat some greasy, soggy cardboard with cheap toppings. And Chicago deep dish pizza is better? Well duh, it's a thousand times better. And the best part is that you don't have to travel anywhere to enjoy it. So you wanna talk about worth the trip? No, New York pizza is not worth the trip. You can find much better pizza in Chicago.

[@PapeySapote]

@@Supersammy22-1gv7ej2jall lies my friend.

[@mikeymutual5489]

You forgot to mention that Lombardi's Pizza is not, actually, "Best on the Planet," even if it says it on its sign. But it *is* better than Domino's.

[@MyKeeP81]

lol its very good but not even close to the best in nyc

[@conniedelio]

Hey Tom, some argue that your neighborhood has one of the best pizzerias in the City, Rosa’s, on Fresh Pond, near Metropolitan. Their “Sicilian” slice is somewhat unique, similar to diFara’s, I think. Other places are making their own version, calling it an upside-down slice. It’s really worth a try.❤️💚❤️💚

[@TrainsFerriesFeet]

For some reason, I always thought Tom lived in Washington Heights, probably because his first video I watched was of WH. My mom grew up in WH and my grandfather owned a grocery store there, so it fit a nice narrative in my mind.

[@josha1536]

Photo opp in South Sudan hahahaha - solid pull!

[@katez1365]

I love "acres" as a measurement for how much pizza we eat

[@PedroHernandez-im9zv]

The tomatoes come from Peru. 1812 or 1900?, Because the pizza comes from Italy! In Sicily the sea food they mix it with cheese, lots of people do meaning ng chef's. The potatoes comes from Peru aswell. Thanks for the videos 😊

[@lawrencechase754]

My favorite pop culture pizza was Godfather's, the "pizza you can"t refuse," reputedly delivered in a hearse. Also, pizzas are a very high profit margin food, which may partly explain the survival of neighborhood pizzerias.

[@FriendshipLights]

Another great video!!! Also consider doing more live streams!! 🔝🔝🔝🔝💯💯💯💯

[@Float_Locker]

Just got back from Italy a couple weeks ago. I’ve been to NY numerous times. Good pizza there. But in Naples…..particularly NAPLES. Particularly Gino Sorbillo’s in NAPLES ITALY??? The best damn Margherita slice you’ve ever had. Fresh marinara, the basil, the cheese….and the dough? Wow! It was so airy and soft almost mochi-like. Absolutely incredible and worth the trip for a pizza connoisseur! 🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽

[@stevenevans2295]

Lived in Rego Park from 2017 thru 2018. Went out of my way to get what others told me. Had plenty of great slices here and there. One place I really liked cause they were in Terminal 5 at JFK was Famous Famiglia. There were so many awesome choices. Visited a few in the city and still thought it was great. What say you? I'm now back in Cali and I don't order crappy pizza. Great vid 👍

[@namret12]

Good job bud. More pizza videos would be cool. Maybe a taste test even?

[@mattieuw2]

The best pizza in New York is at my place on my stone.

[@robyndavis3043]

Hawaiian Pizza (with, and without bacon)

[@mikedrown2721]

I'm getting hungry Tom🍕

[@LlyleHunter]

Friggin’ Domino’s!!! That should be how their signs read. Change the name of company!!!

[@erickjerland1281]

Tommy I've eaten at Bleecker Street Pizza it's amazing pizza. I ate at Lou Malnati's deep dish Pizza in Chicago for Saint Patrick's day very good Pizza.

[@tammy-v1c]

I love a good pizza

[@happybullpizza]

Frank Mastro invented NYC Pizza dawg.

[@justingooding647]

Great video, veeeery interesting!...and so great to run into you on the street near the Seaport (I know it must have seemed like a creepy stalker moment 😂). Love your comedy & videos! 😁

[@michaelmorales1475]

Interesting.

[@ephmans]

Gem Spa!!!!!!

[@frag9575]

Great video. Would be great if you did on the hot dog. I seen it on coney Island video but maybe if you do it on food tours of nyc

[@jakez1930]

Johns on Bleecker > Everything

[@jeffmccarthy9073]

New Haven still has the best pizza

[@NJR-g9f]

lol thanks for the freaks shout out 😂 O more please

[@TheodoreDiodorus]

wow u put a metro card in and a dollar came out that is crazy new york is so crazy

[@rodserling6955]

Grew up in da Bronx,my friend Sal owns Pugsley Pizza near fordham University and Bronx Zoo...go see him he has a big Bong and will ring it if you tell him u will go?tell him Gabriele sent you..

[@cjaquilino]

@5:40 Again, not to nitpick just updating on the latest research. Peter Regas has now proven there were older pizzerias than Lombardi's. Earliest definitive evidence is an ad for a pizzeria is in 1894 but circumstantial evidence shows pizzerias likely existed in NYC even before that. Gennaro Lombardi lived in Brooklyn and worked at what became Lombardi's but was taught by Francesco D'Errico and switched ownership of that pizzeria with D'Errico and eventually came back to own what became Lombardi's again later on. The man you show at 6:04 is actually Filipo Milone not Gennaro Lombardi. He opened a bunch of pizzerias including what became Lombardi's all in the 1890s.

[@eugenedimitrov]

Hey ,Tom! What's up?

[@elliotlopez2314]

Best slice in NYC is danis house of pizza reg or pesto with sauce on top nothing like it

[@drneilmarinello]

You have neglected the history and types of pizza ovens and how the type and temperature and fuel affect the pie. Lombardi and John's are coal fired, for example.

[@sunnybeachwalks4k2022]

Bring back Phil !

[@3xl255]

In the UK we prefer the boil in the bag pizza or if feeling posh an Iceland frozen margherita

[@nyclassic4ever130]

Did he mention its hard to find an Italian owned and staffed pizzeria in NYC now? Most Ecuadorian..south Americans inherited them from Italians. They worked there now own them....crazy times we are living in. Lol

[@StevenNess]

Is the lens flare and shooting into the sun on purpose? Cant decide if I like it or hate it.

[@robyndavis3043]

What about the “Sicilian” pizzas?

[@cedrickpass1512]

Beep beep beep beep beep PIZZA SUCKSSS 😂😂😂😂 that was hilarious

[@MilesBellas]

Rim light intro..... !

[@joed9491]

The fact that you were standing in front of a Domino's shows you how much the quality of pizza in NY has changed for them not to have been put out of business by the mom and pops. Back in the 1970's, Pizza Hut opened a place in New Hyde Park. Sure, people in the area tried them but didn't go back a second time. I don't think they lasted even a year before the mom and pops put them out of business. Today the pizza chains are all over the place and doing well. What's that tell you? I doubt they make their pizza different in NY than they do in all the other parts of the country to stand a chance against the mom and pops and I doubt those who have really experienced a great pizza would give up quality for convenience.

[@LONELYOLDFATUGLYHOMELESSBUM]

PIZza is my favorite happy food. ty Tom

[@MikeP2055]

But WHAT WERE THE THREE RULES OF THE PIZZAIUOLI ASSOCIAZIONE, TOM?!

[@frankromero5581]

I love your singing not bad. !☺️

[@patriciadcnp]

Pizza Parttyyyy!!!