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Apizzeria (Italian:[ˌpitːseˈriːa]), also called apizza parlor[1], is arestaurant focusing onpizza. It may offer take-away, where the customer orders their food either in advance or at the restaurant and then takes the prepared food with them in apizza box. A pizzeria maydeliver food to the customer's home.
Probably the oldest pizzeria in the world to still operate to this day isAntica Pizzeria Port'Alba inNaples, Italy. The restaurant was founded in 1738 as a catering place for merchants, and was converted into a restaurant with tables, chairs, and an upper floor in 1830.[2]
One of the world's first pizzerias was founded in Naples byRaffaele Esposito in 1830. The restaurant, which continues to operate to this day, is nowadays named Pizzeria Brandi. The firstpizza Margherita was baked in 1889 with the colours of theflag of Italy in honour ofQueen Margherita of Savoy who visited the restaurant.[3]
In the United States, sales of pizza started in 1905, whenGennaro Lombardi installed apizza oven in his shop-café and started sellingpizza by the slice.[3]
In the late 20th century, the concept offast food caused changes in pizza sales. Food stands offeringpizza al taglio (lit. 'pizza by the slice') started appearing in Italy, baking large rectangular pizzas sold in small slices. These slices are seldom topped with more than two ingredients, not counting tomato and cheese.[4]
Take-and-bake pizzas are typically made to order out of fresh ingredients (though the pizzeria may also keep a number of commonly ordered or special sale price pizzas on hand for convenience). Often because the pizzas are made with fresh and unbaked ingredients and not heated in-store, the pizzas can be paid for in some states withfood assistanceEBT cards.[5]
According toNation's Restaurant News, take-and-bake pizzerias typically have lower costs because they require less restaurant space and equipment. As a result, they are often able to undercut the national pizza giants.[6]
