Treat yourself to some pizza Friday to celebrate National Pizza Day.
It’s estimated that pizza was founded around the early 1700s in Naples. Neapolitans we not very wealthy and required inexpensive food options making pizza an ideal meal.
There was an increasing amount of Southern and Eastern European immigrants in the late 19th century that came to the U.S. However, pizza still remained a tradition within immigrant communities. Soon, pizzerias opened up in Italian-American populated areas in the Northeast such as New Jersey and New York.
Gennaro Lombardi opened a grocery store in New York City in 1897 which soon became a hot spot to grab a quick lunch of tomato and cheese pies. With the new popularity, Lombardi transformed his grocery store into the first commercial pizzeria in the United states in 1905. Even though it moved down the block in 1984, the shop is still open today to purchase their old fashioned pizzas.
It wasn’t until after World War II when pizza franchises became more popular. Naples was the core for many British and American intelligence agents and these troops became familiar with the foods in this area, such as pizza. Upon returning home they helped with the popularization of pizza outside of these Italian-American communities.
With the rise of fast food in the 1950s and 1960s, Pizza Hut and Domino’s helped expand and develop a presence in the Midwest.
To celebrate this national holiday for foodies, many stores have provided deals for their customers.
Domino’s
Get two medium, two-topping pizzas for $5.99 each or an other items from a select menu such as a medium, two-topping handmade pan pizza for $8.99 or a large three-topping pizza when ordering carryout for $7.99.
Donatos
Use promo codes such as “2018” to save up to 19 percent on an order up to $50.
Little Caesars
Get extra pepperoni and cheese for $1 when you upgrade to Little Caesar’s “EXTRAMOSTBESTTEST” pizza.
Papa John’s Pizza
Save 40 percent off an online order when using the coupon code “40PIZZA”.
Baskin Robbins
For dessert, try free samples of the store’s Sweetheart Polar Pizza Ice Cream Treat from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
If buying a pizza isn’t an option, try out this recipe for an authentic pizza experience.
