Pizza is undeniably one of Canada's favorite foods today, but this beloved dish has a relatively recent history in the Great White North. From its humble beginnings with Italian immigrants to becoming a national staple, the story of pizza in Canada reflects the country's evolving culinary landscape and cultural diversity. In this article, we'll explore how pizza made its way to Canadian hearts and homes through the years.
The Early Days: Italian Immigration
The story of pizza in Canada begins with the waves of Italian immigration in the early 20th century. Between 1900 and 1914, approximately 60,000 Italians immigrated to Canada, bringing with them their culinary traditions, including pizza. However, pizza was initially confined to Italian households and communities, as it had yet to enter the mainstream Canadian food culture.
Italian immigrants primarily settled in neighborhoods in cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, establishing small groceries, bakeries, and restaurants that served traditional foods from their homeland. Pizza was often made at home or sold in small Italian bakeries rather than dedicated pizzerias during this early period.
The First Pizzerias in Canada
The first documented pizzeria in Canada was Napoli Pizzeria, opened in 1948 in Winnipeg, Manitoba by Antonio "Tony" Vanech, an immigrant from Southern Italy. This pioneering establishment introduced many Winnipeggers to pizza for the first time.
In Toronto, the first pizzeria was likely Vesuvio's, opened in 1957 in the Junction neighborhood by Dominic and Ettore Pugliese. This family-run business still operates today, making it one of the oldest continuously operating pizzerias in the city.
Montreal saw its first pizzeria with Pizzeria Napoletana, established in 1948 in Little Italy by the Esposito family. This restaurant has become an institution in the city, famous for its wood-fired pizzas made with recipes brought directly from Naples.
Post-War Pizza Boom
The real pizza boom in Canada began after World War II, when returning Canadian soldiers who had served in Italy brought back a taste for Italian cuisine, including pizza. This coincided with a second wave of Italian immigration to Canada between 1950 and 1970, which brought about 250,000 more Italians to the country.
The 1950s and 1960s saw pizza gradually moving beyond Italian communities and into the mainstream. Several factors contributed to this expansion:
- Increasing urbanization and suburban growth created markets for convenient, family-friendly food options
- Rising disposable incomes and the growth of consumer culture
- The influence of American pizza chains and culture
- The popularization of pizza through television and other media
The Rise of Canadian Pizza Chains
The 1960s and 1970s saw the birth of several iconic Canadian pizza chains that would help define the Canadian pizza landscape:
Pizza Pizza - Founded in 1967 in Toronto by Michael Overs, Pizza Pizza revolutionized pizza delivery in Canada with its memorable phone number (967-1111) and guarantee of "30 minutes or it's free." Starting with a single location on Gerrard Street, Pizza Pizza has grown to become one of Canada's largest pizza chains with over 750 locations across the country.
Boston Pizza - Originally named "Boston Pizza and Spaghetti House," this chain was founded in Edmonton, Alberta in 1964 by Gus Agioritis. Despite its American-sounding name, Boston Pizza is a Canadian company that has expanded to over 380 locations throughout Canada. The chain helped popularize the restaurant-style pizza experience as opposed to just delivery or takeout.
Pizza Nova - Established in 1963 in Toronto by Sam Primucci, Pizza Nova started as a single location and has grown to over 140 stores across Ontario, known for its Italian-style thin-crust pizzas.
American Influence and International Chains
The 1970s and 1980s saw the entry of major American pizza chains into the Canadian market:
Pizza Hut entered Canada in 1968, bringing its pan-style pizza and sit-down restaurant concept.
Domino's Pizza arrived in Canada in 1983, emphasizing fast delivery and contributing to the competitive delivery market.
Little Caesars expanded to Canada in the mid-1970s, later becoming known for its "Hot-N-Ready" concept that offered affordable take-out pizzas without the need to pre-order.
These American chains brought standardized operations, aggressive marketing, and new pizza styles to the Canadian market, forcing Canadian pizzerias to innovate and adapt.
The Evolution of Canadian Pizza
As pizza became firmly established in Canadian food culture, it began to evolve in ways that reflected Canada's unique cultural mosaic. Several distinctive Canadian pizza innovations emerged:
Canadian Bacon and Pineapple
Perhaps the most controversial pizza invention attributed to Canada is the "Hawaiian" pizza topped with ham (often called Canadian bacon) and pineapple. This sweet and savory combination was reportedly created in 1962 by Sam Panopoulos at his Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario. While divisive among pizza purists, the Hawaiian pizza became a global phenomenon and remains one of the most popular pizza varieties in Canada.
Donair Pizza
In Atlantic Canada, particularly Nova Scotia, the donair pizza combines two beloved foods: pizza and the Halifax donair (a variation of the doner kebab). Topped with donair meat, mozzarella cheese, onions, tomatoes, and sweet donair sauce, this pizza reflects the region's unique food culture.
Tourtière Pizza
In Quebec, some pizzerias offer tourtière pizza, inspired by the traditional French-Canadian meat pie. These pizzas typically feature ground pork seasoned with tourtière spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice.
All-Dressed Pizza
The "all-dressed" pizza is a distinctly Quebec creation that typically includes pepperoni, green peppers, mushrooms, and sometimes additional toppings like onions and olives. This combination has become standard across much of Canada.
Pizza Delivery Innovations
Canada has been at the forefront of pizza delivery innovations. Pizza Pizza's centralized call center model, established in the 1970s, was revolutionary for its time. The company's memorable phone number (967-1111) became so well-known that it was eventually incorporated into the company's jingle.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Canadian pizza chains were early adopters of online ordering systems. Pizza Pizza launched one of the first online ordering platforms in Canada in 1999. Today, Canadian companies continue to innovate with mobile apps, GPS delivery tracking, and advanced logistics systems to optimize delivery routes in Canada's often challenging weather conditions.
Modern Pizza Culture in Canada
Today, Canada's pizza landscape is incredibly diverse, reflecting both global influences and local innovations:
Artisanal Pizza Movement
The 2000s and 2010s saw the rise of artisanal pizzerias in major Canadian cities, focusing on high-quality ingredients, wood-fired ovens, and traditional Neapolitan techniques. Pizzerias like Pizzeria Libretto in Toronto, Nicli Antica in Vancouver, and Una Pizza + Wine in Calgary have raised the bar for pizza quality in Canada.
Multicultural Influences
Canada's multicultural population has influenced pizza creation, with fusion pizzas incorporating flavors from various cuisines. In Toronto, you can find pizzas with Indian butter chicken, Middle Eastern shawarma, or Korean bulgogi toppings.
Plant-Based Innovation
Canadian pizzerias have embraced plant-based alternatives, with chains like Pizza Nova and Pizza Pizza offering plant-based protein toppings and dairy-free cheese options to accommodate the growing demand for vegetarian and vegan options.
Pizza by the Numbers in Canada
Pizza's importance in Canadian food culture is reflected in some impressive statistics:
- Canadians eat approximately 5 million pizzas every week
- The average Canadian consumes about 33 pounds of pizza per year
- Pizza is a $3.5 billion industry in Canada
- There are more than 7,000 pizzerias in Canada
- Independent pizzerias still make up about 55% of the market, despite the presence of large chains
Conclusion
From its humble beginnings in Italian immigrant communities to becoming a nationwide staple, pizza's journey in Canada reflects the country's evolving cultural landscape. Canadian pizza has developed its own distinct identity while continuing to embrace new influences and innovations.
Whether you prefer a classic Margherita from a wood-fired oven, a loaded all-dressed pie from a local takeout joint, or a controversial Hawaiian with extra pineapple, pizza has secured its place in Canada's culinary heart. The history of pizza in Canada is still being written, as new generations of pizza makers continue to innovate while respecting the traditions that made this Italian import a Canadian favorite.
