There are many pizza types available and we all have our favorites. Whether it's a classic pepperoni, Chicago deep-dish, or something fancier such as seafood pizza, the options are endless.

It's also a good idea to try some new combinations every now and then and expand your pizza horizons. By the same token, classics are that for a reason and they often bring comfort, too.

On that note, the topic for today is Grandma pizza - a famous pie coming from Long Island, New York.

Grandma pizza is thin and has a rectangular shape. It is also made of simple ingredients: dough, cheese, and tomato sauce. The cheese is placed first and then the tomato sauce goes on top. Due to its shape, the pie is cut into squares.

As for the dough, it is made from flour, water, and yeast, and is left to proof shortly before baking. It is then stretched into an olive oil-coated rectangle pan, which results in a crispy bottom crust.

Traditionally, this kind of pie was baked by Italian housewives in their homes.

While a sheet pan and a home oven would do, Grandma pizza is also served in restaurants.

Something that delicious simply couldn't be kept secret for long.

Where Did Grandma Pizza Come From?

When Italian immigrants came to America at the turn of the 20th century, they brought their cooking style with them. In fact, that's how pizza became a thing in the US.

As mentioned earlier, this type of pizza was something Italian housewives would make at home.

Hence, when coming to America, Italians used the ingredients and cooking equipment at their disposal to make pizza and other foods.

A typical kitchen would have an oven and sheet pan, and that was all they needed.

This is actually the reason this pizza got the name Grandma. It was made in the kitchen at home - simple and delicious.

At first, Grandma pies were strictly a home-cooked deliciousness. But a pizzeria in Long Island would soon change that.

It was in 1965 that Umberto Corteo opened his pizza place in Long Island or New Hyde Park to be exact.

There, he would ask his brother to bake some pizza exclusively for their friends and family. Not only that, but it was to be based on the pies their mother made back in Italy.

However, it wasn't until the 1980s that two of their employees suggested this pizza was made available to the public.

As for how it got its name, it was their regular customer Anthony "Tippy" Nocella who proposed the term.

But that's not all! Nocella even prompted them to enter a Long Island pizza competition and make the Grandma pie.

This was very important considering their special pizza gained popularity from then on. What started in Long Island eventually spread to the rest of New York.

Later on, around the early 2010s this pie became more widely known. Of course, the term Grandma is used as a sign of respect for the old traditions.

What’s the Difference Between Grandma and Sicilian Pizza?

Even though grandma pie is often compared to Sicilian pizza, there are two main differences between them.

It takes longer for the Sicilian dough to rise, which results in a thicker and softer, focaccia-like crust. On the other hand, Grandma pie has a thinner, denser crust.

Secondly, there is a difference in the sauce. While Grandma pizza has more garlicky tomato sauce, the Sicilian pie is characterized by a sweeter sauce.

Still, both Grandma and Sicilian pies are made in a rectangular pan and are cut into square slices.

How Many Calories Are in a Slice of Grandma Pizza?

A slice of Grandma pizza can have from 250 to 450 calories, regarding the toppings. 47% of the calories come from the carbs, 35% from the fats, and 17% come from the protein.

If you want to lower your calorie intake, opt for classic Grandma pizza with mozzarella and tomato sauce, without additional toppings.

Where Can I Find Grandma Pizza Near Me?

Since this pie is from New York, we have to start there. The first restaurant we recommend is Saba's Pizza on Lexington Ave. You can give them a visit or order takeout and delivery via Slice.

Of course, you can also get it in other cities such as Philadelphia. There, we suggest heading to Cosimo's Pizza Cafe on Germantown Ave. They're open 7 days a week and also offer pickup and delivery through Slice.