What Is Detroit-Style Pizza — And Why Is It Square?

Detroit is known as the automobile capital of the world and the birthplace of Motown. But did you know it’s also home to an iconic — and increasingly popular — type of pizza? Here’s everything you need to know about Detroit-style pizza: 

What Is Detroit-Style Pizza? 

Detroit-style pizza is a pizza style from, you guessed it, Detroit. The dish is known for its rectangular shape, crisp and chewy crust, and twice-stretched dough.

Detroit-Style Pizza Defining Characteristics

What sets Detroit-style pizza apart from other styles? Let’s break it down: 

• Rectangular shape: The most defining characteristic of the Detroit-style pizza is its rectangular shape, which makes it ideal for lovers of “corner” pieces. 
• Thick crust: Detroit-style pizza features a thick, spongey crust with crispy edges. While it’s not as thick as Chicago-style pizza, it’s definitely strong enough to stand up to a healthy amount of sauce and toppings. 
• Twice-stretched dough: The secret to the focaccia-like dough is double-proofing and double-stretching, a method perfected in 1940s Detroit. 
• Sauce over cheese: The ingredients are applied in the reverse order of what you might usually expect: pepperoni, cheese, sauce. The barrier between the sauce and the crust prevents sogginess. 
• Brick cheese: Brick cheese, a mild Wisconsin cheese, is the traditional choice for Detroit-style pizza. Mozzarella can also be used or blended with the brick cheese. Since the cheese is spread all the way to the edges, it caramelizes beautifully against the pan. 

Detroit-Style Pizza History

Detroit-style pizza originated at Buddy’s Rendezvous (now Buddy’s Pizza), a former speakeasy on the corner of Six Mile Road and Conant Street in Detroit, in 1946. 

The original square-shaped pizzas were baked in blue steel pans that owners Gus and Anna Guerra got from local automotive suppliers. The pans, which were used as drip trays or to hold scrap metal in auto factories, were perfect for making the twice-stretched pizza dough. 

The pizza style has been popular in Detroit for more than 75 years, but has experienced a huge surge of national attention over the last decade. 

How to Make Detroit-Style Pizza 

Want to make your own Detroit-style pizza at home? Look no further than our top-rated Detroit-style pizza recipe. Follow the link for a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions (with photos!), but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect: 

1. Make the dough: Activate the yeast, then add the remaining pizza dough ingredients. Knead with a dough hook until smooth and elastic. Stretch the dough into an oiled square pan. Let rise until doubled in size, then press out the excess air and stretch into a rectangle that goes all the way to the edges of the pan.
2. Make the sauce: Simmer prepared marinara sauce with oregano, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder until it’s warmed through and the flavors are melded. 
3. Assemble the pizza: Top the dough with pepperoni, then cheese, then sauce. Finish with more pepperoni. 
4. Bake the pizza: Bake until the crust is browned and the cheese is melted. Cool slightly, then slice into rectangular pieces.