Since 1943, April 5 has been a holiday dedicated to celebrating deep-dish pizza. 

Pizza was founded in Italy and was brought to the United States when citizens migrated to New York. The love for the cuisine slowly spread southwest. By 1943, Ike Swell and Ric Riccardo opened Chicago’s first deep-dish pizzeria, Uno’s. 

Chicago has a rich and deep history with pizza, creating a sense of pride in the city dwellers with its many takes on the pie. 

Deep-dish pizza has a characteristically tall crust that is then layered with cheese, meat and sauce in this particular order.  The pizza is then baked in a pan that maintains its notably high edge. Chicago’s invention of deep-dish became a very popular local dish, loved by many.

In celebration of Deep-Dish Day, Chicago’s highest rated pan-pizza joint is popping up closer to home. Pequod’s, makers of one of the city’s best pizzas according to Chicagoans, is participating locally by selling their pies to be delivered to surrounding Chicagoland. 

While Chicagoans are excited about Pequod’s expansion into the suburbs, locals have their own feelings about pizza. 

East Sophomore, Lillian Nelson, disclosed her personal favorites.

“Buffalo chicken stuffed crust pizza [is my favorite]” Nelson said, “[But] the best pizza is breakfast… Deep dish isn’t my favorite but I haven’t had a really good one.”

On the other hand, Freshman, Chris Markova explained her unique take on pizza toppings.
“This might be weird but like, olives with green peppers, I think is good,” Markova said. 

While some people like Markova like to branch out with different toppings others prefer their classic slices. East Junior Mallory Johnson had a quick take on her preferred pizza pie. 

“Cheese, no toppings…I only eat cheese,” Johnson said.  

While cheese is a topping liked by many, not every pizza can be a fan favorite. East students shared the toppings that don’t live up to their standards.

“I don’t really like basil on pizza. I’ve had margarita pizzas before, and they’re good, but I don’t really like the basil. I think it’s too much,” Markova said. 

“I worry about deep-dish, I feel like I’d drown in the sauce,” Johnson said.

Despite being one of Chicago’s most popular dishes, National Deep-Dish Pizza Day is not as popular as one might think. Most people don’t realize this holiday exists and miss out on exclusive deals.

“No, not once in my life [have I heard of] National Deep-Dish Pizza Day. This is the first time I’ve heard of it,” Johnson said.

But it’s never too late to start celebrating! Uno’s pizzeria is doing a BOGO deal on their Deep-Dish pizzas from April 3-5, and many other restaurants are participating and providing their own exclusive deals.

National Deep-Dish Day celebrates the fusion of Italian and American cuisine throughout time, representing Chicago culture and how food serves as a way to bring communities together.

Written by Juniors Annabella Kraman and Marley Spaulding. Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.