Columbus Is Among America's Great Pizza Cities

"The local pizza is distinct in a few ways. Columbus pizza-makers roll their dough out thin and score it with a roller docker, which creates small holes that prevent the dough from bubbling in the oven. Most pies are dusted with cornmeal to keep from sticking to stone deck ovens; according to most pizza-makers in the city, the ovens' stone bottoms are vital to evenly distribute heat, and the porous material absorbs moisture, delivering a crisp crust."

"The dough is topped with a sweet sauce and balanced by a provolone cheese mix that goes from edge to edge, along with, ideally, pepperoni. Pies arrive on the table cut into "squares," though in reality they're often closer to rectangles. These factors combine into a look and feel that's instantly recognizable."

"Columbus-style pizza isn't just popular because of its structure; it's also relatively affordable. A pie is roughly $20, in contrast to pies that can easily start at $30 in cities like Los Angeles and New York. That makes Columbus pizza accessible to the city's loyal student sports fans, who often cheer on nationally ranked and locally cherished teams like the Ohio State University's Buckeyes with game day pizza sales."

Columbus-style pizza features thin crust scored with a roller docker to prevent bubbling, cornmeal dusting, and stone deck ovens that create crispy bases through even heat distribution and moisture absorption. The pizza is topped with sweet sauce, provolone cheese blend extending to the edges, and pepperoni, then cut into squares or rectangles. At approximately $20 per pie, Columbus pizza is significantly more affordable than comparable offerings in Los Angeles and New York, making it accessible to the city's passionate sports fans. The style has earned national recognition on top pizza lists and maintains a devoted following comparable to more famous regional pizza traditions.

Read at Eater