Pizzas come in different sizes, shapes, and flavors. The possibilities are endless, but there are still some classic combinations that are classic for a reason.

One such pie is the famous Detroit-style pizza! Today, that's exactly what we are going to talk about.

The Detroit pizza features a rectangular form which is one of its defining characteristics. It is baked in a steel pan and has a crust that is thick, airy, and crisp.

As for the ingredients, the main ones are Wisconsin brick cheese and tomato sauce. Of course, to achieve the desired result, the preparation method is a bit specific.

First, the pizza dough is advised to have a hydration level of at least 70%. From there, it gets double-proofed and hand-stretched to the edges of the pan.

Next, the brick cheese and tomato sauce are put on top. The same goes for other ingredients such as pepperoni which is a typical choice. What's interesting is that the sauce gets spread in so-called "racing stripes" and is usually the last topping.

Furthermore, the cheese is laid out along the edges. That way, it melts and caramelizes in contact with the pan which gives the crust its signature crispiness.

Another term that is associated with the Detroit square pie is "red top." This refers to recipes where the tomato sauce is added once the pizza is out of the oven.

On that note, the pepperoni may even be placed under the brick cheese. This makes them less crispy. But no worries, the gooey cheese more than makes up for it. Also, the goal is to prevent the crust from being soggy.

Moreover, this kind of pie is baked at relatively high temperatures. This ranges from 440 °F to up to 700 °F in certain pizzerias.

If you're wondering how you should eat it, using a fork and knife is definitely suggested.

In short, Detroit-style pizza is square, baked in a steel pan, has a crispy crust, and lots of brick cheese, pepperoni, and tomato sauce on top.

Needless to say, this is a simply mouthwatering pie. Plus, it looks very cool, too. It's no wonder that it has gained such popularity.

In fact, it's one of the best-known things to come out of Detroit, besides cars and music.

But how did this unique style of pizza originate? The answer to that question follows below.

What Is the Origin of Detroit-Style Pizza?

Surprisingly enough, the Detroit-style pizza didn't become popular until recent times. So, for a long while, it was Detroit's best-kept secret, if you will.

But let's go back to the beginning. The first Detroit pie was made in 1946. This happened at Buddy's Rendezvous which later became Buddy's Pizza.

At the time, Buddy's was a speakeasy on Six Mile Road in Detroit. The owners were Anna and Gus Guerra.

One theory is that the Detroit pizza was born out of a recipe by Anna's mother. It was for a Sicilian-style pie. The other is that it came from Connie Piccinato, a Sicilian lady who worked there.

That said, the original recipe resulted in a pizza with a crust similar to a Focaccia, an Italian bread. They had to make it in blue steel pans because regular ones weren't a good fit.

These steel pans were actually intended for automobile parts. But we dare say they turned to serve a better purpose.

Another important person in the history of this dish is Louis Tourtois. He initially worked at Buddy's Pizza but later on, opened his own place - Loui's Pizza. The location was in Hazel Park, Michigan. In 1978, he even received the title - "King of Pizzas."

According to Wesley Pikula, also once an employee at Buddy's, the phrase "Detroit-style" hadn't been used prior to the 1980s. But even after a magazine had mentioned it, the term didn't catch on until much later.

Hence, the Detroit pizza remained a Detroit thing up to about 2011. Super surprising, we know.

So, what changed then? Well, one factor was the opening of a pizzeria in Austin, Texas that marketed itself for selling Detroit-style pies.

Then, in 2012, Shawn Randazzo made a Detroit-style pizza at the Las Vegas International Pizza Expo. This is a world championship and his pie was the winner.

Right after this prominent figures in the industry started calling American chef Tony Gemignani asking how to make Detroit-style pizza.

From there the word spread and, as proclaimed by Serious Eats, by 2016 Detroit pies had become a trend. The same was also said by other magazines and websites such as Pizza Today (2018), Esquire (2019), and Eater.

In addition, in 2021, Yelp reported that reviews mentioning Detroit-style pies saw an increase of 52%. What's more, Detroit restaurants such as Buddy's and Loui's Pizza would start to receive excellent reviews and ratings.

Thus, we can say that despite being a late bloomer of sorts, the Detroit-style pizza is now very popular and is here to stay.

How Many Calories Are in a Slice of Detroit-Style Pizza?

A single slice of Detroit-style pizza (133g) contains around 420 calories. This includes 26g of total fat and 45mg of cholesterol. There are also 640mg of sodium, 30g of carbohydrates, and 17g of protein.

Where Can I Find Detroit-Style Pizza Near Me?

Given its popularity, you can find this style of pizza all across America. As always, we at Slice are here to make that search easier for you.

Of course, we have to start with Detroit. A great place to visit is Shield's Of Detroit on Woodward Ave. They're open 7 days a week but also offer takeout and delivery.

And for those of you in Chicago, we recommend Coluta's Pizza. You can find them on Harlem Ave and enjoy some pizza there. Or you can order for pickup or delivery through Slice!