Pizza’s Past

Pizza is the most popular food in the world, with billions of pies eaten each year – three billion in the United States alone. You’ve probably eaten pizza recently, but do you know the story behind the universally-loved food? The next time you and friends are enjoying a pizza at Bruno’s, you can impress them with these interesting facts about pizza’s past:

Pizza’s Start in Italy

The food that we recognize today as pizza first emerged in Naples, Italy in the late 18th century.. It was initially considered a food for the working poor, but by the late 19th century even Italy’s king and queen were enjoying Neapolitan pizza.

Pizza’s Start in the United States

The late 19th-century and early 20th-century wave of Italian immigration brought pizza to the United States. One of these Italian immigrants was Gennaro Lombardi of Naples, who is credited with opening the first pizzeria in the United States. He arrived in the United States in 1897 and his pizza shop, Lombardi’s, opened in New York City’s Little Italy neighborhood in 1905. The pizza makers Lombardi employed helped bring pizza to even more people: one opened a pizzeria in Coney Island and another opened one in the West Village area of New York City.

Pizza’s Start in Portland

While Bruno’s is proud to be the first restaurant in Maine to serve calzones, we don’t have that badge of honor for pizza. Pizza was becoming popular in Maine decades before we opened our doors on India Street. Though not a pizzeria, Napoli Tavern on Middle Street stated in its 1935 newspaper ads that it was the first to serve “The Famous Italian Pizza A-La Napoli” in Portland. It’s Pizza by Angelone that lays claim to being Maine’s first pizzeria in 1947.

Enjoy Pizza at Bruno’s

At Bruno’s, you can enjoy a pizza with all your favorite toppings. Our dough is hand-tossed, and pizzas are made to order. Whether you’re a pepperoni fan or a pineapple fan, you’ll love Bruno’s pizza. If you have any questions about our menu, or would like to speak with us about catering, please call us at (207) 878-9511.