When most people think of pizza, their minds immediately go to Italy or perhaps New York-style slices. But Canada has developed its own unique pizza culture over the decades, with regional variations that reflect the diverse landscapes and cultures across the country. In this article, we'll take you on a journey through Canada's pizza traditions from coast to coast.
The Birth of Canadian Pizza
Pizza arrived in Canada with Italian immigrants in the early 20th century, but it wasn't until the post-WWII era that it began to gain widespread popularity. The first documented pizzeria in Canada opened in Montreal in 1948, with Toronto and Vancouver following shortly after. These early establishments largely followed traditional Italian recipes, but as pizza spread across the country, regional variations began to emerge.
East Coast Pizza Traditions
In Atlantic Canada, pizza often features seafood toppings that reflect the region's maritime heritage. In Nova Scotia, you'll find donair pizza, topped with spiced ground beef, a sweet garlic sauce, and sometimes tomatoes and onions. This unique creation is derived from the Halifax donair, a regional adaptation of the Turkish döner kebab.
In Newfoundland, a peculiar pizza tradition exists: cold pizza for breakfast, often paired with a strong cup of tea. While eating leftover pizza for breakfast isn't unique to the region, the ritualistic nature of this practice in Newfoundland homes is noteworthy.
Donair pizza, a specialty from Nova Scotia
Quebec's Pizza Scene
Quebec has developed its own distinct pizza style, influenced by both Italian traditions and French culinary techniques. Montreal-style pizza typically features a medium-thick crust that's crispy on the outside but chewy inside. What sets it apart is the use of Quebec-specific ingredients like local cheeses (often including Montreal's famous smoked meat).
Another Quebec pizza tradition is "all-dressed" (tout garnie) pizza, which typically includes pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, and sometimes ground beef. While similar combinations exist elsewhere, in Quebec, this specific mix has become standardized as the "all-dressed" option on menus.
Ontario's Pizza Innovations
Ontario, particularly Toronto with its diverse population, has become a hotbed of pizza innovation. The city features everything from authentic Neapolitan pizzerias to creative fusion establishments. But perhaps the most interesting regional development is Windsor-style pizza.
Windsor, Ontario has developed a unique pizza style characterized by a medium-thick crust, canned mushrooms, shredded pepperoni (rather than sliced), and locally made Galati cheese. The pizzas are typically cooked in a rectangular pan and cut into square pieces. This style has gained such a following that Windsor residents who move away often have these pizzas shipped to them.
Windsor-style pizza with its signature shredded pepperoni
The Prairies: Hearty Pizza Traditions
In the prairie provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, pizza tends to reflect the agricultural heritage of the region. Hearty toppings and thick crusts are common, with local ingredients like saskatoon berries occasionally making appearances in specialty pizzas.
Regina, Saskatchewan has developed a minor pizza culture of its own, with thick, doughy crusts and generous toppings being the norm. Local chain Houston Pizza has been influential in defining this regional style.
West Coast Pizza Innovations
British Columbia, particularly Vancouver, has embraced artisanal pizza making with an emphasis on locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. Pacific seafood toppings are popular, as are vegetarian and vegan options that reflect the health-conscious culture of the region.
Vancouver has also been at the forefront of fusion pizza, incorporating Asian influences like teriyaki chicken, seaweed, or even sushi ingredients as toppings, reflecting the city's large Asian population and culinary diversity.
The Canadian Pizza: Is There Such a Thing?
While regional variations abound, there is indeed something called "Canadian pizza" that appears on menus worldwide. This typically refers to a pizza topped with pepperoni, mushrooms, and bacon (sometimes referred to as "Canadian bacon" outside the country, though Canadians just call it bacon).
However, perhaps the most famous Canadian contribution to world pizza culture is the controversial Hawaiian pizza—topped with ham and pineapple—which was invented in 1962 by Sam Panopoulos, a Greek immigrant who ran a restaurant in Chatham, Ontario. Despite dividing pizza lovers globally, this Canadian innovation has spread worldwide.
The controversial Hawaiian pizza - a Canadian invention
Modern Canadian Pizza Culture
Today, Canada's pizza scene is vibrant and diverse, with artisanal pizzerias, regional chains, and international franchises coexisting across the country. What unites Canadian pizza culture is a willingness to experiment with local ingredients and a tendency to be more generous with toppings than their Italian counterparts.
From Halifax donair pizza to Windsor's shredded pepperoni specialty, from Montreal's smoked meat creations to Vancouver's seafood and Asian-fusion varieties, Canadian pizza reflects the country itself: diverse, innovative, and welcoming of influences from around the world while maintaining a distinct identity.
Next time you're traveling across Canada, we encourage you to skip the chain restaurants and seek out local pizzerias to experience these regional variations firsthand. And of course, at Pizza Depot, we celebrate these Canadian pizza traditions with our own regionally-inspired creations on our menu.
