When you call your favorite local pizza joint, do you ask for a pizza or a pie?
In New Jersey, a state renowned for its rich culinary heritage and vibrant Italian-American culture, a longstanding linguistic debate persists: should the iconic dish of dough, sauce, and cheese be referred to as “pizza” or “pie”?
This question, far from trivial, reflects deep historical, cultural, and regional influences that shape the state’s identity. Below, we examine the origins, arguments, and evidence behind both terms to provide a comprehensive analysis of this culinary conundrum.
The term “pizza” originates from Italy, with roots tracing back to the Latin word pinsa, meaning flatbread, or the Greek pitta, referring to bread. Documented as early as the 10th century in Italy, pizza as we know it—a leavened dough topped with ingredients—gained prominence in Naples before crossing the Atlantic with Italian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In New Jersey, home to some of the nation’s oldest and most celebrated pizzerias, “pizza” is the predominant term used in commercial and colloquial contexts.
Establishments such as Star Tavern in Orange, founded in 1945, and De Lorenzo’s Tomato Pies in Robbinsville, established in 1947, explicitly use “pizza” on their menus and branding. This reflects both the dish’s Italian heritage and its standardized nomenclature in modern American English. Menus across the state, from urban Newark to coastal Wildwood, consistently list “pizza” as the primary descriptor, suggesting a widespread acceptance of the term. Furthermore, when ordering a single portion, customers typically request a “slice of pizza,” reinforcing the term’s dominance in everyday vernacular.
Despite the prevalence of “pizza,” the term “pie” holds significant historical and cultural weight in New Jersey. The use of “pie” to describe pizza emerged in the early 20th century among Italian-American communities, particularly in the northeastern United States. The analogy likely stemmed from the dish’s physical resemblance to traditional American pies: a round, sliced item shared among a group. Early references, such as advertisements from the 1920s and 1930s, occasionally used “pizza pie,” a term that gained traction in popular culture, notably in the 1940s song “That’s Amore” with its famous line, “When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie.”
In New Jersey, the term “pie” is particularly associated with certain regional and familial traditions. For example, in South Jersey locales like Trenton and Vineland, pizzerias and residents often refer to a whole pizza as a “pie,” especially in the context of takeout orders for group consumption. This usage is evident at establishments like Spirito’s in Elizabeth, where older generations may casually use “pie” in conversation. The term also aligns with the cultural practice of communal eating, as a “pie” is typically ordered for sharing, distinguishing it from individual slices.
To gauge contemporary usage, an analysis of social media platforms, including posts on X, reveals a divided yet passionate discourse among New Jerseyans.
Residents from North Jersey, particularly in Bergen and Essex counties, often favor “pizza,” citing its alignment with the state’s urban, fast-paced pizzeria culture. Conversely, South Jerseyans, especially in areas like Cumberland and Atlantic counties, frequently use “pie,” reflecting a more traditional, community-oriented lexicon.
These differences underscore New Jersey’s regional diversity, with linguistic preferences often tied to local identity and heritage.
A review of prominent pizzerias’ online presence further illustrates this divide. De Lorenzo’s and Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza in Elizabeth consistently use “pizza” in their official communications. However, anecdotal evidence from customer reviews and social media suggests that “pie” remains prevalent in informal settings, particularly among older demographics or in South Jersey establishments like Trenton’s tomato pie-centric pizzerias.
The debate over whether to call it a “pizza” or a “pie” in New Jersey is not merely linguistic but a reflection of the state’s complex cultural tapestry. “Pizza” dominates as the formal, widely recognized term, rooted in the dish’s Italian origins and standardized in commercial contexts. Yet “pie” persists as a nod to historical usage, regional identity, and communal dining traditions, particularly in South Jersey and among older generations.
Ultimately, both terms are valid, their usage determined by context, geography, and personal or familial preference. What remains undisputed is New Jersey’s unparalleled contribution to pizza culture, with its world-class pizzerias producing some of the finest examples of this dish, regardless of nomenclature. As the debate continues, it serves as a testament to the state’s pride in its culinary heritage and its willingness to engage passionately in matters of food and identity.