A History Of Detroit-Style Pizza, The Superior Deep Dish - Thrillist

There is no dispute that Buddy's -- now with 11 locations throughout Metro Detroit -- was the originator, and the other local institutions that have made a name for themselves with their own versions of Detroit deep-dish pizza did so through a matter of cultural diffusion.

Just down the street from Buddy's, the owners of Shield's took notice of their competitor's newfound popularity and hired away Buddy's long-time chef, Louis Tourtrois Sr., to make their pies. Shield's has since expanded to three locations in the suburbs (the original Detroit location is gone). Tourtrois eventually moved on to open his own pizzeria, Loui's Pizza in Hazel Park, widely considered among locals to be the best of its class.

Guerra sold Buddy's and bought a place in East Detroit (now Eastpointe) called Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant, where he and Anna continued the Detroit-style deep-dish tradition. Buddy's changed hands a couple of times while staying true to its roots and widely expanding, gaining national acclaim as one of the best pizzas in America.

Other local players have joined the deep-dish pizza game, including Michigan-based pizza delivery chains like Jet's "the truth" Pizza and Little Caesar's, the first pizza chain to take Detroit deep dish national. (It'll do in a pinch.)

And while the pedigree of "Detroit-style" pizza claims becomes increasingly suspect the further you get from the origin point, it seems like Detroit-style deep dish is following the Detroit diaspora migration pattern, with Via 313 in Austin (who seem to be getting the most recognition), Junct'n Square Pizza in Telluride, Loui Loui's in Louisville (who, for our money, appears to be doing it the most justice), Northside Nathan's in Las Vegas, and incredibly recently, Emmy Squared in Brooklyn.

After years of making like Rodney Dangerfield and getting NO respect, Detroit deep dish has finally taken its rightful place amongst the pantheon of world pizzas, and also happens to be infinitely better than Chicago's. In case you needed reminding.

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Nicole Rupersburg misses Jet's Pizza every single day when she is not in Detroit, but realizes this is probably for the best. Follow her on IG @eatsdrinksandleaves where she posts pictures of herself hiking in Target tanks that say "Pizza is Life." ​​​​