One of the country’s most contentious debates arrived on Capitol Hill on Wednesday: What is the pizza capital of the USA?
The answer depends on who you ask.
Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D) stirred up the conversation when she held an event on the House steps to declare New Haven, Connecticut, the best place for a slice. The congresswoman handed out boxes from the famous Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria, a New Haven pride and joy since 1925, before delivering remarks on the House floor crowning Connecticut “The Pizza State” and New Haven “The Pizza Capital of America.”
“There’s something special about New Haven pizza,” she said on the House floor, using the native pronunciation for the city’s slice. “Some say it’s the coal fire; some say it’s the brick ovens; some say it’s the char; some say it is the water used to make the dough. Personally, I believe it is generation after generation of dedication to the craft.”
“You can’t put into words what you can only taste, and anyone who thinks any other pizza is as good as New Haven pizza hasn’t eaten a New Haven pizza,” Rep. Jim Himes (D), another representative from the Nutmeg State, told The Hill. “Connecticut is the Tom Brady of pizza.”
Not so fast, others agreed.
Lawmakers representing New York, the Chicago area and districts surrounding Detroit took aim at DeLauro’s statement, loudly proclaiming that their pizza spots reign supreme in the long-running debate over who has the best place to grab a cheese pie.
“It’s absurd,” Rep. Marc Molinaro (RN.Y.), a self-described pizza “expert,” told The Hill. “I mean, come on, they’re fooling themselves and they’re just going to live in total disappointment. New York is the pizza capital of the world.
Molinaro, who said his first job was at a pizzeria, where he worked for 10 years – “I play for money” – said he learned the secrets of New York pizza on the job.
“I know why New York’s pizzas are better than theirs — it’s the water, it’s the dough and it’s the personality,” he said. “Our pizza has personality.”
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (DN.Y.), who was born in the Bronx, gave DeLauro a succinct response: “I strongly disagree.”
Go to the Midwest and people near Chicago and Detroit tell a different story.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), whose district includes parts of Chicago, said the Windy City’s deep-dish style is the best kind of pizza, knocking off DeLauro — whom she called a “dear friend” despite their strong disagreement – for their “bad taste” in pies.
“I love my dear friend Rosa DeLauro, but to be honest, I had no idea she had such bad taste in pizza! There is no doubt that Chicago deep dish reigns supreme,” said Schakowsky. “I guess I’ll have to give her a taste of what real pizza tastes like!”
Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) echoed that sentiment, holding up the infamous — but controversial — deep-dish style in addition to the tavern style, which offers Chicagoans a thin, crispy alternative to the heavier kind.
“While I respect and appreciate all the advice my mentor Rep. DeLauro has given me, when it comes to pizza she is wrong,” echoed Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.). “The pizza capital is 1,390 km from New Haven; in the Midwest, in Chicago. She should come and try a deep dish or tavern style pizza.
But for lawmakers representing Michigan, Detroit’s pan-style pizza is the ideal option when looking for a slice, especially when facing competitors from New Haven, New York and Chicago.
Rep. Lisa McClain (Mich.), vice chairwoman of the Republican Party conference, defeated her competitors when campaigning for the square slice of the Motor City.
“Detroit style pizza is by far the best pizza in the country!” McClain said. “The pizza in New Haven and New York is very thin. Chicago pizza is basically lasagna. Detroit style is light, crispy and done right. There’s nothing better!”
“Connecticut, my friend, can’t win and we claim pizza with automobiles,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.).
She cited several Michigan-based pizza chains: Domino’s, Little Caesars, Hungry Howie’s and Jet’s Pizza.
“We have the greatest appreciation for a variety of pizza styles,” she added. “There is no way Jose can Connecticut claim that title.”
Not all lawmakers, however, wanted to participate in the controversial debate over which city has the best pizza in America. Rep. Tom Suozzi (DN.Y.), who represents parts of Long Island, deferred to DeLauro, noting his high-ranking status on the powerful Appropriations Committee.
“Listen, they have great pizza in New Haven. I love Rosa DeLauro, she’s the top Democrat on Appropriations, so I’ll always praise her pizza,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rep. Dan Goldman (DN.Y.) withdrew from the debate, telling The Hill he plans to focus his attention squarely on his belief that New York has the best bagels after establishing the House Bagel Caucus last year .
“The only thing I will tell you is that, having gone to college in New Haven and really enjoying New Haven pizza, I will maintain my firm belief that New York bagels are the best,” said Goldman, a New Haven graduate . Yale University of Haven said. “I can only focus on one food.”
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
