Andy Montoya
Whether you call it a cheese pizza or a plain pizza depends on where you're from and what type of pizza you're eating. In New York, for example, a “plain slice” refers to a slice of pizza without toppings, while a cheese pizza is a pizza with only cheese as a topping. However, in other places, like Rome, a plain slice may refer to a pizza bianca, an unadorned flatbread seasoned with salt and olive oil. Ultimately, there is no wrong answer, and people from different regions may have different preferences for how they refer to their pizza.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of pizza | Cheese pizza, Plain pizza, Regular pizza, New York-style pizza, Chicago-style pizza |
| Toppings | No toppings, Cheese, Tomato sauce, Basil, Extra cheese |
| Region | New York, California, Rome, Chicago, Naples |
| Other names | Pie, Slice, Grandma, Cheese pie, Plain slice, Cheese slice |
| Opinions | Perfect without toppings, Confusing, Unadorned, Culinary art, Regular pizza |
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What You'll Learn
Ordering a plain pizza in New York
First of all, it's important to know the lingo. In New York, a whole pizza is typically called a "pie", and a single slice is just a slice, not a "piece of pizza". If you want a whole plain pizza, you can ask for a "plain pie" or a "cheese pie", although some New Yorkers find the latter a bit odd, preferring to simply ask for a regular pie. If you want a single slice, you can ask for a "plain slice" or a "cheese slice", but be aware that asking for a "cheese slice" may mark you out as a tourist. To sound like a true local, simply ask for "a slice" or "a regular".
When it comes to actually placing your order, it's important to be assertive. New Yorkers are famously direct when ordering food, so don't hesitate or you might get skipped in the queue! And don't be afraid to ask for what you want – if you want a plain pizza with no toppings, just say so. New Yorkers like their pizza with minimal toppings, so a plain pizza is a popular choice.
Finally, when your pizza arrives, don't reach for a knife and fork! New Yorkers eat their pizza with their hands, often folding the slice in half lengthwise to give it a bit of structural integrity. So there you have it – now you're ready to order a plain pizza in New York like a local.
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Cheese pizza: a work of art?
There is an ongoing debate about whether a pizza with no toppings should be called a "plain pizza" or a "cheese pizza". This is a particularly New York-centric question, concerning the New York-style pizza with a thin, chewy crust, baked with low-moisture cheese, and a bold tomato sauce. While some argue that a pizza without toppings is a "plain pizza", others, including the co-founder of California Pizza Kitchen, refer to it as a "Traditional Cheese Pizza".
The term "cheese pizza" is preferred by those who want to be descriptive and want the name to reflect what's on the pizza, leaving no surprises. However, the term "plain pizza" is used to denote the lack of additional toppings beyond the cheese and sauce.
Regardless of what it's called, a cheese pizza is a culinary art expressed in its purest form. It is a centuries-old creation that doesn't require any additional toppings to make it better. The combination of crust, sauce, and cheese is a flavour epiphany and adding more toppings can be seen as unnecessary.
In conclusion, the next time you're ordering pizza, consider joining the cheese-preferring faction and give the plain cheese pizza a chance. You might be surprised by how much you enjoy the uncomplicated, yet delicious, combination of crust, sauce, and cheese.
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Is it a cultural thing?
The terms "cheese pizza" and "plain pizza" are used differently in various regions and cultures, reflecting local pizza-making traditions and variations. This variation in terminology is particularly noticeable in the United States, where the debate is often centred around the New York-style pizza. This style, characterised by a thin, chewy crust, low-moisture cheese, and bold tomato sauce, is commonly sold by the slice.
In New York City, the terms “plain slice” or "plain pie" are commonly used to refer to a pizza with no toppings, indicating that the pizza only has the default cheese and sauce. On the other hand, "cheese pizza" or "cheese slice" can be used to emphasise that the pizza has cheese, which may be interpreted as an unnecessary detail by locals. The term "regular pizza" is also used to refer to a plain pizza, indicating that it is the most common type of pizza in New York City.
In other parts of the United States, such as California, the term "plain pizza" can be confusing, and people may interpret it as a request for a pizza with cheese only. In Chicago, tavern-style pizza joints often offer "cheese" or "sausage" as base options, so ordering a "cheese pizza" is more common. Similarly, in New Jersey, a "cheese pizza" refers to a pizza topped with tomato sauce and cheese.
In Rome, Italy, where pizza slices are a popular snack, a "plain slice" would imply a pizza bianca, a flatbread seasoned only with salt and olive oil. A slice with tomato sauce and cheese would be called a Margherita if it has basil, or pizza con la mozzarella if it lacks basil.
The preference for plain cheese pizza is also a cultural aspect, with some considering it a culinary art expressed in its purest form, honouring the trinity of crust, sauce, and cheese.
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What about outside the US?
Outside of the US, the term "plain pizza" is not commonly used. In Italy, a pizza without toppings is called "pizza bianca" (white pizza), although this term more generally refers to pizzas without tomato sauce. When ordering a slice of pizza topped with tomato sauce and cheese in Rome, one would ask for a "Margherita". The addition of basil is essential to the Margherita, and you may be corrected if you fail to specify this when ordering. A sauce and cheese slice without basil can be called "pizza con la mozzarella", as it lacks basil and is therefore not a Margherita.
In the UK, the term "plain pizza" is not commonly used, and a pizza with just dough, sauce, and cheese is often referred to as a "regular pizza" or a Margarita. Interestingly, the term "cheese analogue" is used in the UK to refer to analogue pizza cheese, making it clear that it is not actual cheese.
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What do the experts say?
The "plain vs. cheese" debate is primarily centred around the New York-style pizza, with its thinnish, chewy crust, baked with low-moisture cheese and a bold tomato sauce. This style is also the most ubiquitous across America, especially when it comes to pizza by the slice.
Some people argue that a "plain pizza" denotes no toppings at all, and would be equivalent to a pizza bianca, or white pizza, in Rome. In this case, a pizza with tomato sauce and cheese would be called a Margherita, or pizza con la mozzarella.
However, others argue that a "plain pizza" refers to a pizza with just cheese and sauce, with no additional toppings. This is because pizza is commonly assumed to include cheese, so a "plain pizza" would be plain in the sense that it has no extra toppings, just cheese and sauce. This is the preferred terminology in New York, where "plain slice" and "regular slice" are used interchangeably to refer to this style of pizza.
Some experts agree with this New York-centric perspective. The co-founder of California Pizza Kitchen, for example, refers to their plain cheese pizza as "Traditional Cheese Pizza" because 'plain cheese' sounded too plain. Another expert from New Jersey also refers to a pizza with tomato sauce and cheese as a "cheese pizza", reflecting the New York-style of baking where the cheese and sauce mix together to form a uniform layer.
Ultimately, there is no wrong answer, and people from different regions of the US and the world may have different preferences and terminologies for this style of pizza.
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Frequently asked questions
A plain pizza has no toppings, whereas a cheese pizza is topped with cheese.
A plain pizza is an unadorned flatbread seasoned with salt and olive oil.
A cheese pizza is topped with cheese and tomato sauce.
The New York-style pizza is a thin, chewy crust baked with low-moisture cheese and a bold tomato sauce.
Ordering a plain pizza may vary depending on the region. In New York, a plain slice refers to a slice of pizza with no toppings. In Rome, a plain slice is an unadorned flatbread seasoned with salt and olive oil.
