Pizzeria

A pizzeria (Italian: [ˌpitːseˈriːa]), also called a pizza parlor[1], is a commercial establishment specializing in the preparation and sale of pizza.[2] It may offer take-away, where the customer orders their food either in advance or at the restaurant and then takes the prepared food with them in a pizza box. A pizzeria may deliver food to the customer's home.

History

Probably the oldest pizzeria in the world to still operate to this day is Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba in Naples, Italy. The restaurant was founded in 1738 as a catering place for merchants, and was converted into a restaurant with tables, chairs, and an upper floor in 1830.[4]

One of the world's first pizzerias was founded in Naples by Raffaele Esposito in 1830. The restaurant, which continues to operate to this day, is nowadays named Pizzeria Brandi. The first pizza Margherita was baked in 1889 with the colours of the flag of Italy in honour of Queen Margherita of Savoy who visited the restaurant.[5]

In the United States, sales of pizza started in 1905, when Gennaro Lombardi installed a pizza oven in his shop-café and started selling pizza by the slice.[5]

Types

The sale of pizza is not exclusive to pizzerias, as the food product is also sold in rosticcerias, bakeries, delicatessens and hypermarkets.[6]

Pizzeria-restaurant

This is a particular type of restaurant in which calzones and various fried foods are also available alongside other dishes. Customers choose their orders from the menu and are served at the table by a waiter.[7] The chef is assisted by a pizzaiolo, who is responsible for using the oven and preparing the pizza.[8] It is usually served “al piatto” (round), although in some cases its length can be chosen (pizza al metro).[9] Sometimes, “al piatto” pizza is also sold for takeaway (take-out).[10]

Takeaway pizzeria

Smaller than a pizzeria-restaurant, it is a venue where pizza is purchased for consumption at home. Pizza may also be eaten on site, at counters or tables provided inside the establishment.[11] Takeaway pizzerias often have a refrigerator from which customers can also purchase beverages.[12]

Fast food

In the late 20th century, the concept of fast food caused changes in pizza sales. Food stands offering pizza al taglio (lit. 'pizza by the slice') started appearing in Italy, baking large rectangular pizzas sold in small slices. These slices are seldom topped with more than two ingredients, not counting tomato and cheese.[13]

Fast food chains

There are also fast food chains that combine speed of service with the widespread consumption of pizza.[14] In Italy the chain Spizzico is well known, while among those in the United States the most famous is Pizza Hut.[15]

Take and bake pizzeria

Take-and-bake pizzas are typically made to order out of fresh ingredients (though the pizzeria may also keep a number of commonly ordered or special sale price pizzas on hand for convenience). Often because the pizzas are made with fresh and unbaked ingredients and not heated in-store, the pizzas can be paid for in some states with food assistance EBT cards.[16]

According to Nation's Restaurant News, take-and-bake pizzerias typically have lower costs because they require less restaurant space and equipment. As a result, they are often able to undercut the national pizza giants.[17]

Home delivery

See also: Pizza delivery

Home delivery is equally widespread and is sometimes used as a form of advertising; discount vouchers may accompany deliveries as promotional offers.[18] In Italy, a delivery charge, usually around one euro, is added to the bill.[19] Delivery generally takes place using small vehicles such as scooters, equipped with special storage boxes.[20]

Pizza delivery by motorcycle inspired the video game Radikal Bikers.[21]

See also

References

  1. ^ "pizza parlor". dictionary.cambridge.org. 21 January 2026.
  2. ^ Gabriele Valdès (9 November 2016). "15 things to know before opening a pizzeria" (in Italian).
  3. ^ Hughes, Holly (2009). Frommer's 500 Places for Food and Wine Lovers. John Wiley & Sons. p. 36. ISBN 978-0-470-28775-0.
  4. ^ Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba, Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. Accessed on 18 August 2009.
  5. ^ a b "The History of Pizzerias". Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  6. ^ "Pane, pizza e impasti all'avanguardia a Monza. Il Forno del Maestro ed Era Pizza" (in Italian). 13 July 2017.
  7. ^ Chiara Serra (23 July 2013). "Savona, 5mila euro di multa per due pezzi di pizza" (in Italian).
  8. ^ Prisca Sacchetti (8 April 2016). "Lo chef è sopravvalutato: fate i pizzaioli" (in Italian).
  9. ^ Lara De Luna (29 January 2018). "Milano, la pizzeria nella quale il conto lo scegli tu: marketing o rivoluzione?" (in Italian).
  10. ^ "Pizza, business made in Italy un fatturato miliardario" (in Italian). 2 February 2015.
  11. ^ "Giordania, la prima pizzeria al taglio italiana, gestita da rifugiati iracheni" (in Italian). 27 October 2017.
  12. ^ "Come fare per vendere bevande in una pizzeria da asporto?" (in Italian). Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  13. ^ "Pizza al Taglio". TasteAtlas. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  14. ^ Elmar Burchia (22 August 2010). "Burger King lancia il superpanino-pizza «Ma è meglio mangiarlo in compagnia»" (in Italian).
  15. ^ Adriano Aiello (17 February 2014). "Cosa ci fanno Farinetti, Pizza Hut e Italia nella stessa frase?" (in Italian).
  16. ^ Wallis, Jessica (March 13, 2009). "Pappa Murphy's Pizza". Taft Independent. Archived from the original on 2009-08-22. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  17. ^ Berkowitz, Matt (June 2003). "The wiles of Wilson: WWE Diva Torrie Wilson reveals all—her secrets to success, that is". Wrestling Digest. Archived from the original on 2004-08-14. Retrieved 2019-02-12 – via FindArticles.
  18. ^ Sandro Gioiello (25 August 2016). "Il drone che consegna la pizza a domicilio è l'invenzione più importante di sempre" (in Italian).
  19. ^ "Ma la consegna a domicilio conviene?" (in Italian). 8 April 2010. Archived from the original on 8 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  20. ^ "Consegna pizze in scooter, fermato contromano: trovata droga" (in Italian). 26 November 2017. Archived from the original on 8 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  21. ^ "Radikal Bikers". Retrieved 28 September 2016.
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