Well, well, well…as if any of us needed an excuse to have a pizza party! But if you did, consider May 18, 2018 – National Pizza Party Day – your reason!
The ‘half-Italian Princess’ in me enjoys a great slice of pie every once in a while, and we have mastered the art of trying multiple recipes, brands, and local joints in the past 40 years of my life. Apparently, and unknown to me, each year on the third Friday in May, millions of pizza lovers across the nation join in praising the lovelies of pizza on National Pizza Party Day.
What can you do to celebrate? Plan to eat pizza of course! Whether homemade, store bought, or at a pizza joint, be sure to celebrate with some good ole hot pizza pie.
How about a little pizza history (courtesy of National Day Calendar) before I present to you our Dayton Moms Blog top local pizzeria pics? Did you know that in ancient Greece, Greeks enjoyed bread covered with oils, herbs, and cheese? In Byzantine Greek, the word was spelled “πίτα”, pita, meaning pie? A sheet of dough topped with cheese and honey, then flavored with bay leaves was developed by the Romans. The modern pizza had its beginning in Italy as the Neapolitan flatbread. The original pizza used only mozzarella cheese, mainly the highest quality buffalo mozzarella variant which was produced in the surroundings of Naples. It was estimated that the annual production of pizza cheese in the United States in 1997 was 2 billion pounds (holy smokes!). The first United States pizza establishment opened in 1905 was in New York’s Little Italy. AND to no one’s surprise – pizza has become one of America’s favorite meals!
I am all about easy recipes. We have a few tried & true through the years, like this whole wheat crust recipe that is to die for, easy to make, and not crazy dense (b/c sometimes that whole wheat can make it dense city).
As you plan your pizza party on May 18, whether it involves a slew of friends, a tribe of kids, your partner, or a quiet night at home – check out our Dayton Mom’s Blog Contributor recommendations – in no particular order:
- Uno Pizzeria and Grill *DMB TIP – Deep dish is for sure the way to go here*
- Deweys Pizza *DMB TIP – They have some crazy creative pies. The Green Lantern is a personal fav!*
- Old Scratch Pizza *DMB TIP – Great date night spot, even with baby in tow!*
- Marions Piazza *DMB TIP – Get pizza with sauerkraut on top. Delish!*
- Beavercreek Pizza Dive *DMB TIP – New moms can enroll in a program where you receive a free pizza after new baby is brought home!*
- Doubleday’s Grill & Tavern *DMB TIP – Try the thin crust. Hands down the best!*
- Flying Pizza *DMB TIP – Read their history – it’s been around for decades – and their plain cheese is delish.*
- Pizza Factory *DMB TIP – They have a BOGO special on Monday’s*
- South Park Tavern *DMB TIP – Try the seafood pizza. It’s amazing!*
- Mod Pizza *DMB TIP – Add the fig balsamic glaze to any pizza and you will be happy!*
- Cassano’s Pizza *DMB TIP – Cannot go wrong with their deluxe!*
- Centerville Pizza & Barbeque *DME TIP – The ultimate bbq pizza with pulled pork is to die for! Make sure to order it with garlic butter cheese crust!*
- Costco food court pizza *DMB TIP – 1 massive slice is only $1.99 and can easily feed 2 kiddos. You also can call ahead to pick up. They are one size and feed an army!
- and our personal favorite in our home – Joe’s Pizza – *DMB TIP – Because calories don’t count, you must get a jumbo deluxe with extra cheese*
What is your favorite pizzeria? Recipe? Topping? Please share! As moms, I believe we all have a little bit of ‘pizza professional’ in us. As my Nana, Dad and Aunt would say – Mangia! Eat!
