The answer, it turns out, is very specific -- and not only that, there are more regional styles of pizza than we, and maybe you, ever knew existed. Here's our list of pizza styles and some suggestions on where you can -- or can't -- find them in Denver.
See also: First Look Arch Pizza opens in Park Hill with St. Louis-style pizza
1. St. Louis style St. Louis style has three main characteristics. The crust is very thin, often made without yeast. The slices are squares instead of triangles. The cheese is specifically Provel processed cheese, a soft white cheese made from cheddar, Swiss and provolone.
Where to get it in Denver: Arch Pizza.
2. New Haven/Connecticut style This style goes by both names, depending on who you're talking to, but according to its origin story it was created in the kitchen of a specific restaurant in New Haven. This pizza, also called "apizza," has a thin crust, oregano, tomato sauce and a tiny bit of grated cheese. If you want more than just a dash of cheese, or some thick mozzarella, you have to ask for it as a topping. It is also commonly served with clams as a topping. Yes, clams.
Where to get it in Denver: Papou's Pizzaria, Basil Doc's Pizzeria and Black Sky Brewery, which just opened.
3. Argentenian/ Buenos Aires style This style comes all the way from South America and is a big part of Argentinian cuisine. It features a light dough, a variety of sauces and is heavy on the cheese. This kind of pizza also usually contains olives or a variety of other toppings.
Where to get it in Denver: Buenos Aires Pizzaria.
4. Detroit style Detroit-style pizza appears to take its presentation from Chicago-style, but with a Michigan twist. It features a deep, thick crust and is square in shape. The other distinctive feature is the order of ingredients. Traditionally, it goes (from first to last) pepperoni, cheese, marinara and other toppings. That's right, meat on the bottom, sauce on top.
Where to get it in Denver: So far we can't find anywhere that claims to make it in the Mile High City. Do you know of anywhere?
5. California style You've probably eaten at a California Pizza Kitchen without realizing your eating a regional style of pie. California pizza has a thin crust and the toppings come from the canon of California cuisine. This means exotic toppings like duck or eggplant and other veggies -- or even a Mexican-inspired pizza complete with beans, cheese and lettuce.
Where to get it in Denver: Any CPK. Also Big Daddy's pizza has some exotic pizzas that fall right in line with the California style.
6. Old Forge style Created in the small town of Old Forge, Pennsylvania (which calls itself the pizza capital of the world), this style can supposedly be found throughout the state. The shape is square and the sauce is onion-heavy. But what makes this pie stand out are the uncommon cheese combinations, which can feature your basic Italian cheeses, or cheddar and American.
Where to get it in Denver: You may have to travel to the East Coast to try this kind of pizza, as no where in Denver seems to serve this style.
7. Trenton Tomato Pies In Trenton, New Jersey, a pizza is a tomato pie. It's pretty similar to the Detroit style and has a similar order of ingredients (dough, cheese, toppings, sauce), but it's round and again it's not pizza, it's tomato pie.
Where to get it in Denver: Like a few on our list, this style seems to be bound by Trenton's city-limits.
Special Mention: Colorado style Is Colorado-style pizza a real thing or just a motto for Beau Jo's? We haven't been able to find another restaurant that has deep dish braided dough and a mountain of toppings, but if Beau Jo's wants to claim it as the state's style, by all means. If St. Louis can have a pizza, so can we.
Where to get it in Denver: Beau Jo's
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