UBCNews - Business - East Coast Vs. West Coast Pizza Styles: Which Pie Type Truly Reigns 'Supreme'?

Episode Date: November 16, 2025

Hey everyone! You know what's fascinating? The ongoing pizza debate that's been splitting our nation - East Coast versus West Coast style. Today, we're going to thoroughly examine this saucy controversy with someone who truly knows their stuff. Westside Pizza - Colfax, WA City: Colfax Address: 208 1/2 N Main Street Website: https://westsidepizza.com/locations/colfax/

Hey everyone, you know what's fascinating? The ongoing pizza debate that's been splitting our nation, East Coast versus West Coast style. Today, we're going to thoroughly examine this saucy controversy with someone who truly knows their stuff. Thanks for having me. And you want to know something wild? This isn't just about toppings. It's actually a battle between tradition and innovation that goes back over a century. Exactly. Let's start with the basics. How did this whole East Coast versus West Coast pizza rivalry begin? Well, it all started with Italian immigrants arriving on the East Coast in the early 1900s.

In fact, the first documented pizzeria in America was Lombardies in New York City, opened in 1905. That's really where American pizza was born. That's fascinating. So the East Coast had quite a head start, didn't it? Oh, absolutely. And you know what's interesting? Those early pizzerias weren't just selling food. they were establishing what would become a deeply rooted American culinary tradition.

I've heard that East Coast pizza has some pretty specific characteristics. Can you break those down for us? Yeah, East Coast pizza, particularly New York style, features a thin, crispy crust that's still chewy enough to fold. You've got high-quality mozzarella cheese, and they tend to stick to traditional toppings. Mm-hmm. And what about the West Coast approach? That's where things get really interesting.

West Coast pizza is like the rebellious younger sibling. They focus heavily on unique creations, different sauces, not just marinarra, and they're big on experimental toppings like avocado, lobster, and goat cheese. That's a great point. We'll come back to that in just a moment. But first, a quick word from our sponsor. Are you tired of mediocre pizza that doesn't deliver on flavor or portions? At Westside Pizza in Colfax, Washington, we're bigger, better, and bolder in every way.

From our generous portions to our flavorful combinations, we push the boundaries of what's possible. Experience pizza that refuses to settle for ordinary. Visit us at the link in the description and taste the difference today. Thanks for that. Now, you mentioned experimental toppings. What drives this difference in approach? You know, it really comes down to cultural context. The East Coast focuses on preserving that traditional Italian-American heritage,

while the West Coast highlights California cuisine spirit. Have you ever wondered why we don't see many traditional New York-style pizzerias on the West Coast? Actually, it has a lot to do with ingredients. It's harder to find good-quality mozzarella on the West Coast than on the East Coast. Plus, the West Coast has access to all these amazing, fresh, local ingredients that they want to showcase. Right, right. And even the way people eat their pizzas different, isn't it? Oh my gosh, yes. East Coast pizza involves the fold. It's practically a ritual. But West Coast pizza, you're probably going to need a fork and knife, especially with the abundance of toppings.

It's fascinating how these styles represent such different philosophies about food. Totally. The East Coast is like, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, while the West Coast is saying, Hey, let's see what happens if we put barbecue sauce and goat cheese on this thing. And the crusts are different too, right? Definitely. East Coast crusts are thin, crispy, and charred. While West Coast tends to be less chewy but still thin, it's built differently to handle those creative toppings.

So if someone asked you which style is better? Ha, you know what? That's like asking someone to pick their favorite child. Both styles have their place. East Coast pizza carries tradition and history. history, while West Coast brings creativity and innovation. Why not enjoy both? Makes perfect sense. It's really about what you're in the mood for, isn't it? Exactly. Sometimes you want that classic slice you can fold and eat on the go. Other times you're

feeling adventurous and want something with, I don't know, tied chicken and peanut sauce. One thing's for sure. Pizza has come a long way since those early days at Lombardis. Oh man, can you imagine what those first Italian immigrants would think if they saw a pizza topped with avocado and lobster? They'd probably be scratching their heads, but that's what makes American pizza so special, right? Absolutely, it's this beautiful evolution of taking something traditional and making it our own, Team East Coast or Team West Coast, celebrating what makes each style unique. I love that perspective. Before we wrap up, any final thoughts for our listeners?

Yeah, I'd say don't limit yourself. Try both styles, appreciate them for what they are. Life's too short to pick sides in a pizza war. That's fantastic advice. Well, folks, this has been an absolutely delicious discussion. Remember, you're folding a New York slice or enjoying a California-style creation with a fork. There's room for everyone at the pizza table.

Couldn't have said it better myself. And that's going to wrap up today's show. Thanks for being with us as we thoroughly examined the great pizza debate.