Pizza, My Pizza

Peter Regas, a Chicago researcher with a pizza focus, is attempting to rewrite New York City, if not global, pizza history. He says his findings show that Lombardi’s, a dining fixture in Manhattan’s Nolita neighborhood that calls itself America’s first pizzeria, can’t rightfully claim that honor.

Lombardi’s has long touted its historic status, saying the restaurant essentially gave rise to a new category of dining in America when it was established by its namesake, Italian immigrant Gennaro Lombardi, in 1905.

In turn, pizza lovers in the city and beyond have come to accept that as fact, with the restaurant drawing a large number of tourists and curiosity-seekers. Ultimately, a line is often drawn from Lombardi’s founding to what is now a $45 billion pizza industry in the U.S.
Charles Passy writing for the Wall Street Journal

Columbus sailed the ocean wet

the tasty pizza to beget.

The natives, puzzled by the crust,

at first did view it with disgust.

The Founding Fathers, furthermore,

all foreign food did quite abhor.

The Civil War had not increased

the cause of pizza in the least.

But then Lombardi's in New York

the pizza craze did so uncork

that ever since that brilliant day

the pizza pie holds noble sway.

A Yankee who is worth his salt

the pepperoni will exalt.

Even West Coast hippie dudes

know it is the best of foods.

Served for breakfast, lunch, and tiffin,

any palate it will stiffen.

Smothered in a thick red sauce.

of all the food groups it's the boss.

It's good with bacon, ham, and eggs;

with pineapple and French frog legs.

The anchovy brings out the zest

and black olives will make it blessed.

Lombardi's is a shrine to me,

no matter the true history.

If eating pizza is a sin

then heaven I will never win.