Naples and the Invention of Pizza

If you wanted to learn when the first pizza was documented, you’d have to go all the way back to 997AD in Naples, Italy. While Sicilian archaeologists have discovered tools and remains of flattened breads, it is Naples that is credited with creating the pizza pie as we know it today.

In the early 16th century explorers brought tomatoes back to Italy from the New World. This led to an increased use of the fruit. It was mostly eaten by peasants who used them to make simple sauces. Once the “New World” tomato arrived, a new dish was created in Naples that more closely resembled pizza as we know it today. People began to top focaccia with tomatoes and voila, Naples became the birthplace of the “modern” version of pizza. 

By the late 18th century, the pizza dish reached popularity on the streets of Naples where it was developed as an inexpensive food that could be eaten quickly and sold in the poorer sections of the city, typically visited by Italian tourists and European sailors.

Pizza got its start in the United States when Italians began to migrate there in the 19th century. The immigrants settled primarily in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston and street vendors began selling pizza. It quickly became so popular that restaurants began carrying it on their menus.

While Stone Canyon Pizza cannot say we were the first to create pizza, we can say that we were the first to make it this good! With over 18 vegetables, 12 meats, 7 sauces and 11 cheeses; you can create your favorite pizza and who knows, maybe historians will be writing about your creation one day!

Looking for a great meal, awesome service, and a good time, come find us in Parkville or Gladstone. Either way you’re sure to find Kansas City’s Best Pizza.

Stone Canyon Pizza is proud to be locally owned and operated for almost 30 years.

Naples, Italy History of Pizza