Pizza has the perfect food chemistry to win the hearts and taste buds of diners across America. The Washington Post reports that 40% of Americans eat pizza at least once a week. This flavorful favorite has the ideal blend of rich, complex, sweet, and savory to keep diners digging in. Though you hardly need an excuse to enjoy a delicious pie, National Pizza Day is a great reason to indulge. Keep reading as our Pequod’s Pizza team in Chicago shares everything you need to know to celebrate pizza.
What Is National Pizza Day?
National Pizza Day is a tasty holiday that seems to have originated around the year 2000, but it’s unclear where the holiday started. Regardless, it’s unlikely anyone will argue with a designated day for munching on one of America’s favorite foods. An early form of pizza originated in Naples, Italy, in the 10th century, where cooks would prepare flatbread topped with tomato sauce and a sprinkling of cheese. By the 18th century, pizza was a popular street food for working-class Italians.
Pizza came to America in the late 19th century along with Italian immigrants. In 1905, a New York City pizzeria began serving the dish, and pizza’s popularity took off. Today, Americans consume 3 billion pizzas every year, making it one of the most popular foods in the country. Divided among the population, this equates to 46 slices of pizza per person each year. Make sure you chow down on some of those slices in honor of National Pizza Day.
When Is National Pizza Day?
National Pizza Day takes place on Feb. 9 each year. The delicious date falls on a Friday in 2024. There’s no better time to sink your teeth into your favorite pizza pie than at the end of the week. In 2025, National Pizza Day will be on a Sunday, so you can celebrate with a tasty meal as you head into the new week.
How To Celebrate National Pizza Day
Happy National Pizza Day. If you’re excited to start celebrating, we have several ideas for making it memorable.
Visit Pequod’s Pizza
Pequod’s Pizza is famous for its distinctive pan-style pizza with a caramelized cheese crust. The restaurant’s original location is in Norton Grove, Illinois. Demand for this popular pie led to the opening of a second location in 1992 in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Don’t fret if you’re not in Chicago. You can also enjoy Pequod’s nationwide with shipping via Gold Belly. Build a two-pack, three-pack, or four-pack of pan-style deep dish pizzas from Pequod’s and enjoy this renowned pizza anywhere in America. Order early to ensure your pizzas arrive in time for National Pizza Day.
Try New Toppings
Expand your taste buds and try something new for National Pizza Day. The top five pizza toppings in America are pepperoni, sausage, mushroom, extra cheese, and bacon, in that order. The top 10 toppings include chicken, onion, red and green bell peppers, ham, and black olives. If you’re willing to explore beyond these staples, try some of the options in the top 20 toppings, which include meatballs, basil, pineapple, Canadian bacon, jalapenos, beef, tomatoes, banana peppers, fresh garlic, and salami.
If you’re ready for something original, consider testing a more distinctive combination. Some trending toppings around the country include pickles, hot honey, arugula, and specialty cheeses, such as buffalo mozzarella and burrata. A few pizzerias have experimented with seafood, artichokes, fried chicken, and caramelized onions. Chorizo is making an appearance, especially on Mexican-themed pizzas that feature other nacho toppings, such as spicy cheese, jalapenos, tomatoes, and avocado. Get in the kitchen and whip up something fun.
Play a Pizza-Themed Game
Get a digital pizza fix with a themed cooking game. Take some time on National Pizza Day to try out the popular Good Pizza, Great Pizza game. It’s available on the Apple App Store, Google Play, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and Amazon. You’ll get to run a virtual pizza shop, cooking up pies all day long.
Host a Pizza Party
Get your friends in on the fun and host a pizza party for National Pizza Day. It’s a great way to celebrate your favorite food with your favorite people. Make sure to order various options so there’s something for everyone. Pequod’s has nearly a dozen toppings suitable for vegetarians, including spinach, tomato, onion, mushroom, green pepper, green olives, black olives, giardiniera, and more.
If you like it hot, try a pizza topped with jalapeno, pepperoni, and fresh garlic. Meat lovers will find no shortage of protein-packed picks, including sausage, ground beef, Italian beef, meatballs, and Canadian bacon. You can even customize your pie from Pequod’s with options such as light dough, a well-done crust, light sauce or cheese, and a custom cut.
Other Pizza-Related National Days
Pizza is too good to celebrate only once a year. That’s why there are numerous pizza holidays you can sink your teeth into. Additional pizza-related dates you might want to add to the calendar include the following:
- National Deep Dish Pizza Day: April 5.
- National Pizza Party Day: Third Friday in May.
- Pizza Margherita Day: June 11.
- National Cheese Pizza Day: Sept. 5.
- National Pepperoni Pizza Day: Sept. 20.
- National Sausage Pizza Day: Oct. 11.
- World Pizza Makers Day: Oct. 25.
- National Pizza With the Works Except Anchovies Day: Nov. 12.
If that’s not enough pizza parties for you, don’t forget October is also National Pizza Month. The national monthly celebration first took place in 1984 with the launch of Pizza Today magazine. In 1987, the U.S. Congress officially recognized October as National Pizza Month.
Celebrate National Pizza Day With Pequod’s
There’s no better way to celebrate National Pizza Day than visiting Pequod’s. Whether you’re taking home a carry-out pie or bringing all your friends in for a party, Pequod’s has mouthwatering deep-dish flavors that’ll make the holiday memorable. Best of all, you don’t have to wait for this February holiday to indulge. Make a reservation or order online and get a taste of this world-famous pizza today.