How Pizza Got Its Start At Pizzeria Uno In The Chicago Loop And Became A Main Dish For America And Around The World

Original Pizzeria Uno, Chicago

By: Jennifer Samios

It seems that everyone I know enjoys pizza. Even in my small borough of Delmont there are over 6 Pizza restaurants/shops. It all started in downtown Chicago in 1943.

http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune  Chicago Tribune "Events That Shaped Chicago." In 1943 Pizzeria Uno opened. Ike Sewell and Rick Ricardo opened their first restaurant at the corner of Ohio street and Wabash Avenue. 

Ike Sewell

According to www.unos.com, pizza was merely a snack on the American scene to this point. Bruchette was a Italian flat bread that was spread with Italian vegetables and cheese. The "Uno idea" was to establish pizza as a meal. Sewell and Ricardo developed a menu using "original Italian recipes--the finest meats, fresh cheeses, ripe vegetables and flavorful spices." Their pizza developed into a hearty meal. 

Original Menu

As described by foodcoupons.net, Uno's signature "Deep Dish Pizza" received high reviews as a new food fair on the Chicago scene. In 1955 two more restaurants were opened in Chicago. In 1979 Sewell and Ricardo franchised their opportunity which first expanded to Massachusetts. Currently over 175 Uno Restaurants reside in 28 states and 6 other countries. 

Chicago-Style Deep Dish Uno's Pizza

Pizza--as a meal has exploded onto the world food scene. Dozens of pizza chain restaurants and countless independent pizza shops exist in American cities both large and small. Today, pizza is available in so many locations that everyone seems to have their own personal spot of preference. 

From the original Pizzeria Uno Deep Dish Pizza the pizza recipe offering has expanded. Today, there are Deep Dish, thick crust, thin crust, veggie pizza, meat pizza of countless varieties, cheese pizzas, fruit pizza, white and red pizzas, etc. Pizza today is truly a meal not only for Americans, but for the world. 

Works Cited

 Pizzeria Uno Corporation. "Uno Chicago Grill: About Us." Uno Chicago Grill - Original Chicago Deep Dish Pizza, Flatbreads, Pasta, Steaks, Seafood, Burgers, Sandwiches, Salads, Soups. 2010. Web. 07 Apr. 2011. <http://unos.com/about.php>.

"Uno Chicago Coupons: Get Coupon Codes and Discounts for Uno." Food Coupons. Web. 07 Apr. 2011. <http://www.foodcoupons.net/uno-chicago-grill-coupons/>.

Vettel, Phil. "Archives: Chicago Tribune." ProQuest Archiver. 20 July 1997. Web. 07 Apr. 2011. <http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/13070737.html?dids=13070737:13070737>.