Pizza is such a delicious and versatile food, it's no wonder we all love it so much. You can have it with any combination of toppings and with a different kind of crust.

What also plays a role is the cooking method employed to make your pizza. Wood-fired ovens are a popular option, but if you're wondering if pizza can also be grilled - yes, it absolutely can!

Some restaurants take it a step further to improve your pizza-enjoying experience. So, besides the regular methods, they also offer grilled pizza.

Just like we love pizza, we're also fans of grilling. It's simply an awesome way to cook food that gives it that extra something.

For one, a grilled pizza comes with a crispy crust but it's still soft and chewy at the same time.

What's more, the way a grill distributes heat has a great effect on your pie. Both charcoal and gas grills emit smoke that brings out the flavor of the ingredients.

The general steps are as follows. First, the grill is pre-heated so that it's ready to take on the pizza. Then, the dough is lightly brushed with olive oil so that it doesn't stick to the grill.

Once it's put on there, it will likely get flipped on both sides before the toppings are added. This makes it different from the regular method of arranging the ingredients on the dough before baking the pizza.

Since the toppings are added afterward, they may or may not be pre-cooked. Veggies and cheeses are a perfect fit, and the thickness of the crust can vary.

The wood-fired pizza features a characteristic char. Well, with grilled pizza, you get those classic grill marks and a golden brown bottom.

Where Did Grilled Pizza Originate?

To tackle this question, let's take a look at the history of pizza and grilling, and how the two meet.

The first modern pizza if you will, is the Margherita. It was created by Raffaele Esposito in 1889.

The occasion that sparked this invention was the visit of Queen Margarita to Naples. Hence, the pie with ingredients that resemble the Italian flag was named after her.

From there, pizza made its way to America when many Italians immigrated here at the turn of the 20th century.

The first pizzeria in America opened in 1905 in New York. Still open today, the name of this pizzeria is Lombardi's.

To no one's surprise, this fantastic dish took off and has become one of the most popular foods in the US and the world.

When it comes to grilling, the origins of this cooking method date back to the 17th century. It was in the Caribbeans where the first grills were fired. Of course, at the time, the "equipment" was simple - put some sticks together, light a fire, and cook meat over it.

The more official grills were invented around 1897. Ellsworth B. A. Zwoyer and Henry Ford's company Kingsford were the original manufacturers.

Later on, BBQ grills (1940s) and gas grills (1960s) became a thing. George Stephen improved the design of barbecue grills in 1952. The Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company introduced the use of propane.

In the 1980s, Bill Best further improved the concept by implementing ceramic burners. In the following decade, George Foreman came up with a grill that produced less fat.

Since then, even infrared grills have become more accessible and common.

So, with pizza and grilling both becoming widespread, it's no wonder that at some point someone thought of putting pizza on a grill. We may not know the exact details but it doesn't really matter.

What matters is that we have yet another way of cooking the delight that is pizza, and with that even get something more and new out of it.

How Many Calories Are in a Grilled Pizza?

A whole grilled pie contains around 1450 calories. This includes 112g of carbs, 96g of fat, and 48g of protein. Of course, this would all depend on the ingredients and size, but this is one estimate.

Where Can I Find Grilled Pizza Near Me?

For those of you in New York, a great place to get it is Gourmet Deli & Pizza. You can find them on 8th Ave or order takeout or delivery via Slice.

And if you're in Philly, we suggest heading to Diamond Pizza on W Diamond St. They're open 7 days a week and also offer pickup and delivery with Slice.