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Are you curious about what one epic food most Americans say they would want to eat for the rest of their lives? What about a single food that transcends global to local status like no other? If you are like most Americans, your answer is pizza.

Historians tell us that pizza recipes were first consumed by the Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks some 2,200 years ago. But the modern version of the pizza we know now, celebrates its birthday in Southwest Italy's city of Naples sometime near 997AD. The Neapolitan working class required a meal with inexpensive and easy-to-find ingredients and one that was quick to eat. This became the first flatbread pizza dough topped with garlic and olive oil.

In 1889, King Umberto I and Queen Margherita vacationed in Naples and the Queen requested an assortment of fresh pizzas to sample. The one she loved most was made with basil, white mozzarella and tomatoes which became known as the Margherita pizza. Incidentally, the colors were the same as the Italian flag!

It could be debated that the first “pizza delivery” came across the ocean with Italian immigrants to New York City, who brought their authentic Italian pizza recipes to their new home in America after World War II. Pizzerias sprung up in NYC and New York Pizza, or as some call it, New York Style Pizza then made its debut by way of these new Italian American citizens.

As the population expanded westward, the people came with their pizza recipes and started creating pies for their customers including one you might have heard of - Chicago Style Pizza or Chicago Deep Dish Pizza, which is cooked in a pan instead of on a baking sheet or pizza stone, as most other pizzas are.

Fast forward to the 1950's and the history of pizza takes another factual turn nationwide with the advent of pizza chains or the franchise pizzeria. It was in 1958 that Pizza Hut began its pizza empire, with Domino's Pizza close behind in 1960. As their competition with each other grew, new independent restaurants and pizza franchises sprang up across the country, allowing Americans to enjoy pizza just about anywhere.

Today, across the USA (with California claiming to have the most pizza restaurants at 7,281 in 2019), pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world, and for good reason. Not only is it delicious, but it's convenient, sharable, versatile, customizable, and even fun to eat!

So, you may ask, “Just where is the best pizza?” While history has its rightful origins, it seems the mystery of the best pizza can be found on the individual's tastebuds.