Pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world. It has a fantastic taste and you can have it in so many different combinations.

Whether it's pepperoni, a classic cheese pie, or something like a Hawaiian, pizza is suitable for all your favorite toppings. Not only that, but some pies have a thin crust, others a thick one, and even the cut can differ, too.

With so much deliciousness to pick from, the choice can get tough. Sure, it's not a "real" problem, but you get what we're saying. Plus, hey, sometimes you're just not that hungry or don't have the time to sit in a restaurant and eat a whole pizza.

The solution? Of course, it's pizza by the slice!

This option really solves any pizza dilemma you may have. If you're in a hurry or not that hungry, you can grab a slice or two on the go. Or if you'd like to taste a different array of toppings, you can get a slice of each.

Offering by the slice pizza is also an economic win-win for both parties. You, the customer, get to spend less because a single slice doesn't cost as much as a whole pie. However, the total cost of individual slices is higher than an entire pizza. Thus, the pizzeria also makes some extra profit.

Moreover, enjoying a mouthwatering slice can be a cultural thing. In fact, in New York, it's the most popular way to serve pizza. It's how the phenomenon that is NY-style pizza grew to be.

That said, many pizzerias offer both whole pies and separate slices. But there are some places that are only selling pizza by the slice. You can even get it in food stands which makes it a superb street food.

What's more, pizza slices are usually baked and sliced beforehand. In order to keep them warm, they're typically placed under heat lights. If needed, they can be reheated or shortly returned to the oven with some additional ingredients.

Where Did Pizza by the Slice Originate?

As you already know, pizza comes from Italy. Hence, it's only normal that selling it by the slice also started there.

This is actually what is known as pizza al taglio. The literal translation is "by the cut." To be more exact, this way of serving pizza originated in Rome.

At the turn of the 20th century, many Italians immigrated to America. With them, they brought their cooking styles and traditions. That's how pizza made its way to the United States.

The first pizzeria in America was Lombardi's, opened in New York in 1905. It was named after the owner Gennaro Lombardi and is still operational today. The location is on Spring Street in Manhattan.

Earlier we touched on the fact that enjoying a slice of pizza brings an economic benefit. This was especially true back in that day.

The thing is, many folks at the time couldn't actually afford a whole pie. So, they would opt for what their money could buy - a slice of pizza. These slices came wrapped in paper and tied with a string.

Later on, other restaurants in NYC opened and expanded this tradition. A notable one was Patsy's which opened in 1933 in East Harlem. The founder was Pasquale "Patsy" Lanceri who had learned how to make pies at Lombardi's.

Patsy's played an important role when it came to the popularity of New York-style thin-crust pizza, and the tradition to offer it by the slice.

The standard size of NY-style pies is about 18 to 24 inches which typically get cut into 8 big slices. Due to the thin crust and size, it's practical to fold your slice in half. That way, you can hold it in one hand.

Sicilian pizza is also a common choice, and today, there are over one thousand pizzerias in New York. What Is Pizza by the Slice Called In Italy? As we mentioned above, pizza al taglio is how pizza by the slice is called in Italy. Originated in Rome, this pizza is baked in a big rectangular tray.

Unlike the US it is sold by weight, in kilograms or grams. It is cut in squares or rectangles and can come in many varieties.

What Is Pizza by the Slice Called In Italy?

As we mentioned above, pizza al taglio is how pizza by the slice is called in Italy. Originated in Rome, this pizza is baked in a big rectangular tray.

Unlike the US it is sold by weight, in kilograms or grams. It is cut in squares or rectangles and can come in many varieties.

How Big Is a Jumbo Slice of Pizza?

Another famous option is the so-called jumbo slice.

Jumbo slices are usually cut from a circular pie, around 36 inches in diameter. These gigantic bites are often longer than 1 foot and can weigh 1 pound. Jumbo slices can have up to 1000 calories or more.

Chris Chishti, the owner of Pizza Mart in Adams Morgan, Washington D.C. is believed to have used the words “jumbo slice” first. That was back in 1990 when Pizza Mart was opened and they started selling unusually large slices, that throughout the years only grew larger and larger.

Jumbo slices are most popular in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington D.C. but are made and sold in many other cities and states throughout the country.

How Many Calories in a Single Slice of Pizza?

A single 14" slice of pizza (107g) contains around 285 calories. This includes 10g of total fat, 18mg of cholesterol, 36g of total carbohydrates, and 12g of protein.

As for vitamins and minerals, there are notable 15% of iron and 20% of calcium. These percentages are based on the daily value of a 2000-calorie diet.

Where Can I Find Pizza by the Slice Near Me?

Since New York is heavily associated with pizza by the slice, let's start there. One great place we recommend is Saba's Pizza on Amsterdam Ave. They're open 7 days a week so feel free to give them a visit. Or you can order takeout or delivery via Slice.

Of course, you can get a slice of pizza in any other place outside NYC. For example, if you're in Philly, we recommend Mario's Pizza on Crittenden St. They're open every day and also offer pickup and delivery through the Slice app.