Frederic Melton
Grotto Pizza is a chain of restaurants that sell pizza and other Italian-American dishes, primarily located in the U.S. state of Delaware with a few locations in Maryland and Pennsylvania. The chain originated in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, in 1960, and has since expanded across the state of Delaware. The type of cheese Grotto Pizza uses is difficult to decipher, but many customers speculate that it is white cheddar. Grotto Pizza uses a blend of cheeses, with cheddar as the primary cheese, giving their pies a distinctive taste. The cheese is shipped from a Wisconsin cheese master.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Type | Cheddar |
| Cheese Application | Cheese is placed directly on the dough |
| Sauce Application | Trademark swirl of sauce is placed on top of the cheese |
| Cheese Amount | Just the right amount to complement the sauce and dough |
| Cheese Source | A "cheese master" in Wisconsin |
| Cheese Preparation | Cheese is shipped to Grotto Pizza |
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What You'll Learn
Grotto Pizza uses cheddar cheese
Grotto Pizza, a chain of restaurants selling pizza and other Italian-American dishes, is primarily located in the U.S. state of Delaware, with a few locations in Maryland and Pennsylvania. The chain originated in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, in 1960 and has since expanded across the state.
The combination of cheddar cheese and sauce is a signature feature of Grotto Pizza, with customers raving about the right amount of cheese used to complement the sauce and dough. The cheese is applied in the classic Grotto ring fashion, with the sauce swirled on top. This unique application ensures consistency across all locations, so customers can expect the same iconic bite no matter where they are dining.
While the exact recipe and preparation process are kept confidential, it is known that Grotto Pizza standardizes its pizza-making process across all locations. This standardization includes the use of cheddar cheese, which has been a staple of their pizzas for decades. The distinct use of cheddar cheese, instead of the typical mozzarella, may be a contributing factor to Grotto Pizza's success and longevity.
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Cheese is placed before sauce
The placement of cheese and sauce on a pizza is a matter of much debate and can be a polarizing topic among pizza enthusiasts. While some swear by the traditional method of placing sauce before cheese, others argue that breaking the norm and placing cheese before sauce creates a more flavourful and appealing pizza. Grotto Pizza, a well-known pizza chain in the U.S. state of Delaware, with locations in Maryland and Pennsylvania, is an advocate of the latter approach.
Grotto Pizza has built a reputation for its unique take on pizza construction, placing cheese before sauce. This non-traditional method has become a trademark of the restaurant and sets their pizzas apart from the classic Italian pie. The cheese used by Grotto Pizza is a key factor in their success and distinct flavour profile.
The cheese in question is cheddar, specifically a single type of cheddar sourced from a "cheese master" in Wisconsin. This choice of cheese is a deliberate deviation from the typical mozzarella used on most pizzas. Grotto's food and beverage director, Jones, explains that their pizza cheese is specifically formulated for the company based on their desired flavour profile, melt factor, and stretchability.
The placement of cheddar cheese directly on the dough, followed by a swirl of sauce, creates a unique texture and taste sensation. The cheese melts into the dough, providing a creamy base for the sauce to sit upon. This construction method also ensures that the sauce remains the star of the show, with its strong flavour and perfect blend of spices. The cheese enhances the sauce rather than overwhelming it, creating a well-balanced and complementary combination.
Grotto Pizza's dedication to their cheese and sauce combination has paid off, with many customers praising the perfect amount of cheese that complements the sauce and dough. The ratio of cheese to sauce is carefully considered, ensuring that the cheese enhances the overall flavour without dominating the other ingredients. This attention to detail has earned Grotto Pizza a loyal following and the status of Delaware's best-known and biggest homegrown chain.
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Cheese is shipped from Wisconsin
The cheese used on Grotto Pizza is cheddar, which is placed directly on the dough before the sauce. This is unusual, as most pizzas are made with mozzarella. The cheese is shipped from Wisconsin, where it is produced by a "cheese master".
Grotto Pizza is a chain of restaurants that sell pizza and other Italian-American dishes. It was founded in 1960 in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, by Dominick Pulieri and his brother-in-law, Joseph Paglianite, and his sister, Mary Jean Paglianite. The chain has since expanded and now has locations in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
The cheese used on Grotto Pizza is a key part of their distinctive taste and has been a staple of the chain since its inception. While the exact recipe and preparation process are confidential, it is known that the cheese is a specific type of cheddar chosen for its flavor, melt, and stretchiness.
The cheese is shipped from Wisconsin, where Grotto's food and beverage director, Jones, worked with a cheese master to create a product unique to the company. This cheese is then used across all Grotto Pizza locations to ensure consistency in their pies.
In addition to their unique cheese, Grotto Pizza is also known for its swirly sauce, which is added on top of the cheese. The combination of their distinctive cheese, swirly sauce, and consistent pizza-making process has made Grotto Pizza a beloved and well-known chain, especially in Delaware, where it is considered a First State tradition.
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Grotto Pizza's dough recipe is confidential
Grotto Pizza is a well-known pizza chain with locations in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The company has been in business since 1960, when the first Grotto Pizza was opened by Joseph Paglianite, his brother-in-law, and sister, Mary Jean Paglianite.
Grotto Pizza takes its dough recipe very seriously, keeping it a closely guarded secret. In fact, only about a dozen people know the recipe, and they have all signed non-disclosure agreements to keep it confidential. The dough is produced in a large-scale kitchen in East Dover, Delaware, where the company has consolidated its dough production since 2021. The East Dover plant can produce 1,100 pounds of dough in a single stage, and the company can produce 1.4 million pounds of pizza dough in a year.
The dough recipe is so important to Grotto Pizza that they consider it a competitive advantage. Michael Jones, the company's food and beverage director, explained that keeping the recipe secret ensures that it doesn't fall into the hands of competitors. The recipe is also a key factor in the unique flavor profile of Grotto Pizza's pies, which have a tangy, slightly sweet sauce with oregano, and a thin, crispy crust with buttery notes.
While the exact recipe remains a mystery, we do know that Grotto Pizza uses cheddar cheese instead of the more common mozzarella. Vinnie DiNatale, the director of marketing, revealed that they once used a blend of three cheddar cheeses aged for 30, 45, and 60 days, but now they use a single mild cheddar that is specifically formulated to meet their desired flavor, melt, and stretchability. The cheddar cheese is placed directly on the dough, followed by a trademark swirl of sweet and spicy pizza sauce.
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Grotto Pizza is based in Delaware
Grotto Pizza, the beloved pizza chain, has its roots firmly planted in the state of Delaware, where it has become an iconic symbol of the state, especially along the beaches. Founded in 1960 by Dominick Pulieri, his brother-in-law, Joseph Paglianite, and his sister, Mary Jean Paglianite, Grotto Pizza first opened its doors in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, as a humble take-out stand on Rehoboth Avenue. The Pulieri family, originally from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, knew the power of a good slice of pizza, having worked in the family pizza business, Joe's Pizza, in Harveys Lake, Pennsylvania. With a passion for pizza and a desire to bring a taste of Italy to Delaware, the family began their journey towards building a thriving pizza empire.
Over the years, Grotto Pizza has expanded beyond its original Rehoboth Beach location, spreading throughout the state of Delaware and beyond. In 1963, the company opened a second Rehoboth Beach location on the boardwalk, allowing them to cater to the growing number of tourists flocking to the beach. This expansion continued, and by 1974, the once-seasonal business became a year-round operation, serving customers their beloved Grotto Pizza even during the colder months.
Today, the chain has firmly established itself as a Delaware staple, with locations across the state, including in the Delaware Beaches area, Millsboro, Seaford, Milford, Camden, Dover, Middletown, Newark, and Wilmington, which boasts two Grotto Pizza restaurants. The company's expansion has also led them to establish a presence in neighbouring states, including Maryland and Pennsylvania, with three locations in Wilkes-Barre, the birthplace of the Pulieri family.
Grotto Pizza's success can be attributed to its consistent quality, generous portions, and unique flavour profile. Their pizzas are known for their distinctive application of cheese in a ring formation, ensuring each slice is evenly distributed with the perfect cheese-to-sauce-to-dough ratio. The type of cheese used by Grotto Pizza is a combination of cheeses, with some customers speculating that it includes cheddar, specifically white cheddar, contributing to the overall delicious taste that keeps customers coming back for more.
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Frequently asked questions
Grotto Pizza uses cheddar cheese instead of the traditional mozzarella. The cheese is placed directly on the dough, with the sauce swirled on top. The cheese is shipped from a "cheese master" in Wisconsin.
There is not an excessive amount of cheese on the pizza, but Grotto's is known for piling on cheese before adding the sauce. One reviewer says the amount of cheese is "just right" to complement the sauce and dough.
Yes, Grotto Pizza offers a regular cheese pizza, or you can add your favorite toppings, including extra cheese.
