Sangamon Sun

Today marks National Deep-Dish Pizza Day, a celebration of a pizza style that originated in Chicago in the 1940s. This form of pizza is beloved worldwide, but Chicago, Illinois, is recognized as its birthplace, thanks to the efforts of Ike Sewell and Richard Riccardo.

Ike Sewell, originally from Texas, moved to Chicago and developed a fondness for the city's culinary scene. Before entering the restaurant industry, he worked as a salesman at Fleischmann’s Distilling Corporation. Meanwhile, Richard Riccardo, an Italian immigrant, opened Riccardo’s Restaurant and Gallery. The two eventually met and decided to go into business together. While Sewell initially wanted to start a Mexican restaurant, Riccardo believed that a pizza venture would be more appealing to the midwestern audience.

In 1943, Sewell and Riccardo opened The Pizzeria and launched the now-iconic Chicago “Deep-Dish Pizza.” To leverage the success of Riccardo’s first restaurant, they later rebranded the business as Riccardo’s Pizzeria. After Riccardo's passing in 1954, Sewell renamed the establishment Pizzeria Uno, which continues to operate at 29 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611. A second location was opened in 1955, and by 1978, Pizzeria Uno began franchising.

Erik Frederick, CEO of Pizzeria Uno, stated, “Now is a great time to invest in a Pizzeria Uno. Our brand has a long track record of helping entrepreneurs thrive. Our flexible business model, state-of-the-art technology, and iconic menu take all the guesswork out of owning a pizza business. We have plans to expand across the nation, and we’re looking for passionate entrepreneurs to join our growing franchise family.”

Chicago-style pizza stands apart from other styles, like New York-style pizza, which features large slices and thin crusts. The Chicago deep-dish pizza is noted for its soft, doughy texture and is cooked in a deep dish, often requiring a fork and knife to eat. The Chicago deep-dish pizza remains a quintessential element of the city’s culinary identity.

As National Deep-Dish Pizza Day is celebrated around the globe, many will enjoy the famed Chicago-Style Pizza in honor of its historic and cultural significance.